I Don’t Know What I Don’t Know. But I’ll Learn.

I used to work with a very wise manager who would sometimes say, “I don’t know what I don’t know.” He realized there were things he was not yet even aware of, let alone had knowledge about. The fact that he so willingly admitted that he didn’t have all the answers (rather than others who may have pretended they did) and was enthusiastically receptive to learning from his entire staff made him an excellent manager and established good client relationships.

I believe the same approach is equally valuable when dealing with clients, coworkers, and people in general. Don’t be afraid to admit you don’t know something and to ask questions. People love to share their knowledge and will appreciate your interest and, if it’s a client, your diligence in getting their details correct, especially if you’re sharing their story.

Pretending to know something can be foolish. Seeking out knowledge is wise.