One of the phrases that I think is not used enough in business is the phrase “I don’t know.” I know that I often catch myself trying to come up with the correct solution or response to a question when, in reality, the best response would probably be “I don’t know!”
We’ve all been there. You know that the person really doesn’t know, and yet, they do all that they can to wing an intelligible response. What would happen if we were to just say, “I don’t know, but I will find out or find someone who knows”? I honestly believe that it will be more beneficial in the end because it will be known that you are a wo/man of your word.
I think that this concept is especially important when it comes to pitching to angel investors. It is well-known that investors invest in the entrepreneur. When it comes to judging the entrepreneur, they are most likely looking for an entrepreneur with passion and integrity. We all know how to show passion during a pitch (we can show that we have “skin in the game”, we can portray our knowledge of the product/industry, and we can be very persuasive, etc.), but how do you show integrity through a pitch?
I really believe that responding with an honest “I don’t know” can do it!
