What to Say Instead of “I Don’t Know” - 24 Simple Phrases That Build Confidence
Welcome to Linked And Lift, your weekly guide to thriving in your career and designing a life you love for entrepreneurs and ambitious professionals. Each week, you get research-backed insights and we break down the skills, strategies, and mindsets you need to stay ahead of the curve.
I’m always refining this newsletter to make sure you get the most useful, relevant insights for your growth.
Take 15 seconds here to make sure the next editions speak directly to you.
The phrase “I don’t know” has gotten a bad rap.
But did you know that some of the world’s best leaders use it as a tool, not a trap?
Saying “I don’t know” isn’t a weakness.
It’s an opportunity to build trust, model transparency, and show up with integrity.
What’s Inside:
24 powerful language shifts to replace “I don’t know”
Why these alternatives build confidence, not confusion
A mindset shift: leadership isn’t knowing it all—it’s staying calm in uncertainty
Read Time: 6 minutes
The Moment That Sparked This
A few months ago, I was in a coaching session with a team member.
I asked if she knew how to handle a specific task. She said yes.
But as she began, it became clear she wasn’t sure how.
I paused, walked her through it step-by-step, and she quickly picked it up.
No harm done, but the moment stayed with me.
How often do we do this?
We say “yes, we know” when we really mean “not yet.”
We keep quiet instead of asking for help.
Avoid saying “I don’t know” out of fear it’ll make us look unqualified?
But here’s what I’ve learned:
👉 Admitting you don’t know doesn’t make you less of a leader.
👉 Pretending you do wastes everyone’s time, including your own.
No one knows everything; not your team, not your clients, and not you.
What matters is how we communicate when we don’t know yet.
Here are 24 simple ways to say “I don’t know,” without eroding trust, shrinking your presence, or overcomplicating the moment.
24 Better Ways to Say “I Don’t Know”
We’ve all been there.
A client asks something unexpected.
A team member needs direction.
A student asks a question you haven’t prepared for.
Here are 24 ways to handle those moments with grace, credibility and calm clarity.
(Instead of saying... say this👇)
❌ “I have no idea.”
✅ “Let me find out and get back to you.”
Why it works: You value accuracy over guessing.
❌ “I’m not sure.”
✅ “Here’s what I know so far, and I’ll gather more details.”
Why it works: You’re building from clarity, not hiding from it.
❌ “Your guess is as good as mine.”
✅ “Let’s explore this together.”
Why it works: Invites collaboration.
❌ “Who knows?”
✅ “Great question. I’ll loop in others and report back.”
Why it works: Curiosity > cynicism.
❌ “Don’t ask me.”
✅ “That’s outside my scope, but I’ll find someone who knows.”
Why it works: Redirects with generosity.
❌ “I haven’t a clue.”
✅ “I’d need more context. Can you share a bit more?”
Why it works: Curiosity builds connection.
❌ “No comment.”
✅ “I’ll look into it and keep you updated.”
Why it works: Keeps the door open.
❌ “Wait and see.”
✅ “I’m actively working on it and will share updates.”
Why it works: Reassures with intention.
❌ “I’m not the right person.”
✅ “I’ll check with the right folks and follow up.”
Why it works: Ownership earns trust.
10. ❌ “I’m not at liberty to say.”
✅ “I can’t share that yet, but here’s what I can say.”
Why it works: Boundaries + transparency.
❌ “It’s impossible to know.”
✅ “We’re waiting on data. Here’s what we know so far.”
Why it works: Grounds the unknown in progress.
❌ “Maybe someone else knows.”
✅ “I’ll get input and come back with a clear answer.”
Why it works: Builds responsibility.
❌ “I could be wrong, but…”
✅ “Here’s my current take, and I’m open to revising it.”
Why it works: Blends confidence with humility.
❌ “I’ll try to find out.”
✅ “I’ll take ownership and follow up with a response.”
Why it works: “Try” feels flimsy. This feels solid.
❌ “Sorry, I didn’t have time.”
✅ “It’s on my radar. I’ll update you by [specific time].”
Why it works: Specificity > excuses.
❌ “It depends…”
✅ “There are a few factors. Here’s what matters most right now.”
Why it works: Simplicity over vagueness.
❌ “I’m not good at this.”
✅ “This is something I’m learning. Here’s my approach.”
Why it works: Growth mindset.
❌ “This isn’t my strength.”
✅ “This is a growth area for me. I’m working on it.”
Why it works: Ownership of growth.
❌ “Let me Google that.”
✅ “That’s worth a deeper dive. I’ll get back to you.”
Why it works: Thoughtful > rushed.
❌ “We’re figuring it out.”
✅ “We’re exploring options. I’ll share updates.”
Why it works: Exploration = progress.
❌ “I’m not sure how to answer that.”
✅ “That’s a great question. Let me take a moment to respond thoughtfully.”
Why it works: A pause is leadership.
❌ “It’s complicated.”
✅ “Here’s what I can tell you right now.”
Why it works: Offers clarity, not overwhelm.
❌ “I don’t want to get it wrong.”
✅ “Let me double-check so I can be accurate.”
Why it works: Precision over perfection.
❌ “That’s not my job.”
✅ “Let me find the right person to support you.”
Why it works: No defensiveness. Just direction.
Closing Thought
The next time you feel caught off guard…
Take a breath.
Choose one of these phrases.
You’ll notice:
🔵Your energy stays grounded
🔵The conversation stays productive
🔵Trust expands, not shrinks
Because saying “I don’t know” isn’t a weakness.
It’s a doorway to clarity, courage, and connection.
(And yes, I still use #1, #15, and #20 on a weekly basis!)
Linked And Lift Picks
Book: Radical Candor by Kim Scott – say what you mean, with care
Podcast: The Look & Sound of Leadership – episode on “How to Be Seen as Strategic”
Quote: “Uncertainty is the birthplace of innovation, trust, and leadership.” – Brené Brown
📩 Share the Lift: Know someone who needs this message? Share this newsletter with them to help them.
⭐ Rate This Edition: Your feedback shapes Linked And Lift! Let me know what you want to see more of.
I’d love to hear from you:
👉 Which of these phrases feels most natural to you right now?
👉 Where do you notice yourself avoiding “I don’t know”?
Hit reply and let me know. I read every response. 💌
And thank you for being a part of our Linked And Lift community!
Until next time,
Veronique Barrot
Founder, Linked And Lift
Coaching leaders to grow inside out.
Follow me on LinkedIn where I share self-leadership and growth insights 6 days a week.