Embracing “I don’t know”

You know, there's a power in those three words: "I don't know." At first, they might seem like a sign of weakness, a vulnerability we're conditioned to hide.

But what if, instead, they were a declaration of curiosity, an invitation to learn and grow?

I had a conversation recently that left me pondering this very idea. A friend and thought partner shared, " 'I don't know' reminds me to stay curious."

As a coach, I find myself wondering how we can transform this phrase from a source of anxiety and shame into a catalyst for curiosity. It wasn't always easy for me. There was a time when admitting I didn't know something filled me with shame.

I remember a pivotal moment early in my career. I was offered a position above what I had initially applied for. Instead of celebrating, I panicked. When my new leader asked for my input on something I had no experience in, my inner critic went nuts, convinced I'd be exposed as a fraud.

My inner critic told me that I should have never taken this job. My inner critic told me that I didn’t have what it takes to add value here. My inner critic told me that I was a failure for not knowing.

Fast forward to today, when faced with an "I don’t know", I embrace it. I intercept my inner critic and dive headfirst into the gift of curiosity. I ask questions, I research, I learn. And in doing so, I not only gain knowledge but also evolve and grow.