The Top 50 Management Dilemmas

Situations where you don’t know the answer

Every day managers find themselves in situations where they don’t know the answer. Modern business life tends to create complex challenges where answers are not a simple yes or no. So sometimes not knowing is entirely appropriate. The important thing is not to allow this to affect your confidence in yourself. There are times when answering without full certainty is entirely appropriate. The trick is to know what you are expected to know.

First, think:

• What are the expectations of your questioners? Are their expectations reasonable?
• What is your standing with the questioner and with any listeners? Might there be an impact on your standing or reputation if you answer incompletely or inaccurately? ...