It is quite unfortunate that even very smart people are oblivious to the fact that there are two phrases you absolutely have to add to your vocabulary; “I don’t know” and “ I was wrong”. People think that if they use either of these two phrases, they will look stupid or incompetent. However, truth be told, it’s the exact opposite.
“I don’t know”
These three words are terrifying for most people, but why? What is actually going to happen if you really don’t know something and admit it? If you tell someone that you “don’t know something”, and follow that up with “…but I’ll find out”, you will be far better off. First off, the opposite party will know that you are trustworthy. They will see that you aren’t full of crap.
Think back to your years of school. Do you remember that kid who always knew everything? Did you like him? Did anyone else like him? Exactly. So why do you think the “I know everything act” is going to get a different result just because you’ve exchanged your shorts and t shirts for a suit? Being the guy that knows everything is just as annoying now, as it was before.
Even if you think you know something, you may be better off saying that you don’t. Remember, there are always two sides to a story, and you may indeed know one side. What about the other side though?
It’s absolutely fine to admit that you don’t know something, so long as you do anything and everything possible to find out what you need to know. Remember, speaking the truth shows transparency, and transparency is the base for legitimacy.
“I was wrong”
Mistakes need to happen. The only scenario in which people don’t make mistakes is one in which they aren’t pushing the edges of whats possible. In other words, those who settle for mediocrity. Robert Kiyosaki (author of the Rich Dad Poor Dad books) said some very wise words about mistakes. He said that,
In the real world, the smartest people are the people who make mistakes and learn. In school, the smartest people don’t make mistakes.
Do you think Steve Jobs never made a mistake? He managed to get fired from his own company. Do you Richard Branson never made a mistake? He did. Anyone who has ever achieved anything has made mistakes.
So it’s okay to make mistakes, but admit to them. Don’t make a fool of yourself by trying to make up excuses and blame your mistakes on others. Robert Kiyosaki wisely said that “Excuses cost a dime and that’s why the poor could afford a lot of them”. He is right. Don’t make excuses. You should be proud of your mistakes. If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not trying hard enough. You’re not challenging the boundaries of what is possible. You are not fooling anyone with your ridicules excuses. If you made a mistake, live up to it. You will look far more responsible and trustworthy.
