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Use these far better phrases than saying “I don’t know” in meetings

How to look more competent in conversation

George Marklow
3 min readDec 5, 2024

Introduction

“I don’t know”

Let’s be real — none of us wants to seem out of the loop in meetings. Whether it’s struggling to keep track of project statuses, grappling with unclear requirements, or just having a momentary block, we all want to feel capable and confident.

But let’s face it, it’s normal not to know every little detail about your projects all the time. It’s okay to admit when you’re unsure! And guess what? There are better ways to say it that can help you keep that trust with your coworkers.

Below, I’ve shared some friendly examples to help you express yourself while showing humility and a desire to work together toward the right solutions.

You need to clarify the requirements

Here are some phrases that might help convey that you're still figuring things out!

“I don’t have transparency on that right now.”

or

“I’m not close to the details on this”

or

“I’m still gathering…

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George Marklow
George Marklow

Written by George Marklow

George is a software engineer, author, blogger, and abstract artist who believes in helping others to make us happier and healthier.

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