One Thing Every Leader Should Say More Often: “I Don’t Know.”

Photo by 愚木混株 Yumu on Unsplash

In a world that expects leaders to have instant answers, admitting “I don’t know” feels risky. But here’s the truth: it’s one of the most powerful phrases a leader can use.

Saying “I don’t know” isn’t a confession of weakness. It’s a commitment to honesty, clarity, and trust. When leaders pretend to have answers, teams can feel the disconnect immediately. When leaders speak with humility, the entire organization becomes more grounded and more capable.

It Shows Humility, Not Weakness

Strong leadership isn’t about projecting perfection—it’s about being real.
When a leader admits they don’t know something, they’re demonstrating:

• Self-awareness
• Emotional maturity
• Confidence without ego

People don’t expect leaders to be flawless. They expect leaders to be truthful. Humility builds far more trust than a scripted, overconfident answer ever could.

It Creates Space for Collaboration and Honesty

When a leader owns their uncertainty, it gives everyone else permission to be honest too.
This simple phrase:

• Opens the door for new ideas
• Reduces pressure on the team
• Encourages genuine problem-solving
• Helps people speak up without fear

The best solutions rarely come from one person at the top. They come from teams that feel safe enough to contribute.

Contrast With Fake Confidence

Fake confidence is easy to spot—and once people see it, trust erodes quickly.
Pretending to know the answer:

• Shuts down dialogue
• Creates confusion
• Leads teams in the wrong direction
• Damages credibility when reality catches up

Photo by Júnior Ferreira on Unsplash

Real leadership doesn’t bluff. It builds a foundation of honesty, even when the path forward is still taking shape.

---

A Practical Example

Imagine a team member asks a tough question about a new initiative. Instead of guessing, dodging, or
rushing out a half-sure answer, the leader responds:

“I don’t know yet. What ideas do you have?”

That single shift turns a moment of uncertainty into a moment of empowerment. It invites the team into the process and shows that their perspective matters. Over time, this approach builds a culture where initiative and creativity thrive.

---

Final Thought

“I don’t know” isn’t an ending. It’s the beginning of better conversations, better solutions, and stronger leadership.

Honesty builds credibility — even in uncertainty.

Teach it.
Coach it.
Lead.

---

Sources & Credits

Leadership research consistently supports the value of humility in effective leadership. For foundational work on humility, transparency, and trust-building in organizations, see Jim Collins’ discussion of Level 5 Leadership in Good to Great (HarperBusiness, 2001).

This post was drafted with the assistance of AI (ChatGPT) and edited by Mr. VanDusen.