I Don’t Know…Yet

One of the most useful sentences I've learned to say as a founder is: “I don't know yet”.

A long time ago, in what seems like a galaxy far, far away, I was trained never to say "I don't know" and instead to assemble some educated-sounding collection of words arranged strategically to tap dance around the fact that I don't know, but will figure it out. Saying that you didn't know something was seen as some kind of confidence-destroyer...almost a sign of weakness and incompetence.

So we "circle back" or "take it offline" or "follow up later" as code for "you asked me something I don't know; give me time to put together a response".

How much time would we all save and genuine trust would we cultivate if we were straightforward with one another?