The Power of “I Don’t Know”

30/11/2010 — 19 Comments

“I don’t know” – three words that some people and more specifically leaders, at different times find difficult to utter. I thought of some benefits of saying “I Don’t Know” (in no particular order):

  • Gives Opportunity to Engage Team: When you “open the floor” to your team, it facilitates the team owning solutions. People tend to thrive in environments where they contribute significantly toward solutions. Your team will to rise to the level of the responsibilities you give them. Engaging the team means tapping into a bigger pool of ideas and creativity, some of which may even be better than yours as a leader. Your moments of ignorance or ‘limited knowledge or skill’ can be opportunities for growth for not only you as a leader but your team, use them wisely!
  • Communicates Security of A Leader: This may mean “eating humble pie” for you in some cases. But! Admitting ignorance or limitations tells your team you are comfortable in being you and in your leadership and that the door is open for them to bring ideas. It makes you more approachable as a leader. Saying, “I don’t know” may also give your team more confidence to speak up when they see loopholes or flaws in ideas or plans you present them in future. Thus facilitating “idea-proofing”.
  • Saves Time: The sooner you admit your ignorance and limitations the more likely you are to reach a solution quicker. Get your team going early and avoid avoidable emergencies. Save time and say the ‘three magic words’ sooner rather than later!
  • Expressing, “I don’t know” tells your team the areas in which you need more support in as a leader and team player. Help your team stop guessing how to serve the bigger picture by being a support where you fall short.

What other benefits of ‘saying’, “I don’t know” can you think of?

In Ideas, Leadership, Life, Productivity, Skills, Teamwork, Vision , , , , , , ,
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  • Fidelis K

    Great stuff. However I would like to bring another dimension to this “I dont know” theory…the negative side of it. Some will say “I dont know”, just to put you off or rather to discourage you. “I dont know” is also abused when more information is sought… you then give away more information than you intended and sometimes you are led to believe otherwise. One can then say “i dont know” to derail your frame of thought. The mafia would say “I dont know” meaning they dont want you to acknowledge their awareness of an issue. ..or that they want you to go ahead and find out. So beware of the “I dont know” statement. Try to establish the context so that you stay on track. Leaders will always analyse a situation and then choose to either use it positively or simply abuse it..

    • http://blessingmpofu.com Blessing Mpofu

      Hi Fidelis, Good point on understanding context. I think it is very important. The context of the post is that of a leader with his team, with no “malevolent” intent, especially in relation to the ‘use’ of the leader’s influence…

  • Tinei Mutsago

    Well put, this works better than the biblical Nicodimus approach (seeking advise under guise of night) applied by most because of PRIDE. Pride is the biggest hold in most leaders. Those under one’s leadership should also not make a leader believe he has supreme ideas that would create an overconfidence based on misinformation, a recipe for disaster.

    • http://blessingmpofu.com Blessing Mpofu

      Pride can be a hindrance to progress and growth for the leader, his team and objectives they have set before them… Thanks Tinei!

  • Koketso Resane

    Great. Very readable, immersive, and educating too. Timeless! This excites me about things to come from this blog.

  • Anthi

    I’ve just been asked to lead a group and since it’s my first time being in full control, I can say that this has cleared some thoughts in knowing, yes leaders who have more experience than I have also have the thought, and/or answer “I don’t know”, showing the group that leaders don’t always have an answer and having their full support and that they feel comfortable in approaching a leader..
    The “I don’t know” thought is something we’re too scared to say or admit, but this makes us stronger and people feel more at ease to speak out and admit they are not too sure of the answer or what to do in a situation.
    Mwah!x

    • http://blessingmpofu.com Blessing Mpofu

      Thanks Anthi! Glad you got some encouragement! Being leader doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the smartest or have to be the smartest! ;-)

  • Ntokozo

    Wow great stuff guy.I think every leader should read this,insightful indeed.We need to realise that as leaders that they are always blindspots,and often we have to rely on those ones around us to pick them up,so admitting that we don’t know everything is a good start.

    • Steven

      great observation! people tend to think leaders know or have to know everything and leaders also put unnecessary pressure and stress on themselves by thinking they need to have all the answers…

      • http://blessingmpofu.com Blessing Mpofu

        Hi Ntokozo, i think you’ve just brought up something interesting – the importance of listening and or perhaps hearing the people around you highlight your blind-spots. i guess sometimes those we lead also do try to tell us that our knowledge / skill is wanting… ta!

  • http://www.mikempofu.blogspot.com Michael

    I think its very insightful. The sooner that leaders especially in church leadership realize that saying i don’t know is not a sign of weakness but strength, the church and the world would be a step ahead.

    • http://blessingmpofu.com Blessing

      True Michael, actually true all round. Saying I don’t know is a sign of strength and security of the leader ;-)