3️⃣ Steps to Confidently Say ‘I Don’t Know’ 💪

Confidence isn’t about always having the answer. Sometimes, the boldest move is admitting you don’t know and letting action do the rest.

Hey, can I ask you something? 🤔 When was the last time you admitted you didn’t have all the answers? Most of us hide behind pretending we’re “okay” or “in control.” We’re terrified of looking weak or unprepared.

Here’s the truth: saying “I don’t know” and meaning it can actually make you more confident, respected, and in control than faking it ever could. Let me show you how. 💡

I was coaching a client who was terrified of looking “weak” in meetings. She’d answer questions even when unsure, just to appear confident. But over time, this strategy was exhausting and often backfired (our senses know when someone is making things up, right?!).

Then we tried something radical: simply saying, “I don’t know the answer right now, but I’ll find out.” The shift was immediate. She felt lighter, more authentic, and yes more confident. Her colleagues trusted her more, not less. 

🔥 Confidence Catalyst 

"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance." – Confucius
Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is admit you don’t know and that’s exactly where true confidence begins. 💎

3 Steps to Build Confidence Through Honesty 📝

1. Embrace the Power of “I Don’t Know” ✅
   Stop seeing uncertainty as a weakness. Admitting when you don’t know something shows self-awareness and courage. People notice authenticity and respect it.
2. Follow Up With Action 🔑
   Confidence grows when honesty meets action. You can always commit to finding the answer by saying: "Let me check and get back to you". Showing you can deliver even after admitting uncertainty strengthens credibility and self-belief.
3. Celebrate Your Authenticity 💖
   Every time you respond honestly, pause and notice how it feels. Small moments of courage add up. Over time, acting authentically becomes a superpower for confidence.  

🎯 Takeaways 

Confidence isn’t pretending to have it all figured out. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is say, “I don't have that information right now, but I'll find out.” Start practising it today, and watch your confidence and your impact grow. 🚀

📚 References

• Daring Greatly  – Brown, B. (2012), Penguin Random House

• Emotional Intelligence  – Goleman, D. (1995), Bantam Books

• Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges  – Cuddy, A. (2015), Little, Brown and Company

✨ Want to learn more about how to be confident?

Why not try out our Brain Powered Confidence course? Click here for more details 👇