Quick answers
- How do you say I don't know professionally?
- 'I don't have that. I'll find out and get back to you.'
Key takeaways
- Say you don't know, then commit to finding out.
- Don't fake it.
- Offer a next step.
Instead of → Say
| Instead of | Say |
|---|---|
| I don't know | I don't have that information. I'll find out and get back to you by EOD. |
| No idea | That's outside my area. Let me connect you with [person] who would know. |
| Maybe? | I'm not sure. I'll verify and confirm. |
Example dialogue
Stakeholder: What's the uptime on the new service?
You: I don't have that number handy. I'll check with the platform team and get back to you by tomorrow.
Stakeholder: Thanks.
Common mistakes
- Guessing.
- Over-apologizing.
- No follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I say I don't know in a meeting?
- 'I don't have that information. I'll find out and get back to you by [date].'
- What if it's my area?
- Own it: 'I should know that. I'll verify and get back to you.'
Related
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