Everybody wants to be seen as competent and probably to be considered an expert in SOMETHING. We’re taught in high school how to “look good” for college and how to pad resumes and applications to fluff up what we know. In college we’re taught interviewing tips (or tricks) such as “Make your weaknesses strengths. Tell them your weakness is you work TOO hard!”   Gimme a break.

Then in “the real world” the charade often continues with worrying toooooo much about job titles and adding anything you can to conversations to appear smart and nodding your head in agreement even if you don’t know what the other person just said. And so on and so on.  Fake it till you make it right?

WRONG.

Want to get smarter, move ahead faster and meet more (amazing) people?

Forget what “they” taught you and start saying “I don’t know” more.  A LOT more!

SAYING “I DON’T KNOW” MAKES YOU SMARTER

Ok – it creates the opportunity to make yourself smarter. Rather than nodding in agreement to that acronym the other person just mentioned, ask what it means. Rather than pretending you know who that person (probably famous or well known, right?) is they just mentioned – ask who it is. The same goes for subjects and areas of interest to you.

Why?

That acronym you ask about could be an organization you want to join (once you know what it is). That person you ask about might be someone you want to meet or read about (once you understand who they are). They subject matter that was over your head just might help grow your career and build your business when put into action (once you know what it is).

Get smart. Ask questions. This doesn’t just work for you because…

SAYING “I DON’T KNOW” EXPANDS YOUR NETWORK

Let’s continue the conversation from above. When you ask about a new organization the next question you could ask is “That sound great; who should I talk to about getting involved with them?”. That person they mentioned (that until you asked you didn’t know a thing about) could become your next mentor (directly or remotely), employee, friend, client or referral source. That subject matter could lead to any number of introductions to experts, organizations and companies.

Not knowing is starting to sound better, isn’t it? Guess what…

SAYING “I DON’T KNOW” EXPANDS YOUR NETWORKS’ NETWORK

When you get the new information or introductions above – think about who you can introduce to that organization, that person or all those great subject matter experts. Finding new resources and meeting new people gives you an excuse to reconnect with your existing network and offer THEM new people to meet and resources to utilize.

THAT’S a win-win-win situation; and it all started from not knowing something and admitting you didn’t know something.

WHAT’S NEXT?

What won’t YOU know TODAY (and then ask about) that will alter the course of your professional life?