The Strength of Saying “I Don’t Know”

I remember the first time I was asked a question at work that I didn't know the answer to—it was my very first day at Med One. I don't remember exactly what the question was, but I do remember how it was asked. The tone made it sound like the answer should have been obvious, like it was something everyone already knew.

I froze for a moment. Part of me wanted to nod, pretend I understood, or give some vague explanation and hope it passed. But instead, I took a breath and said, "I'm not sure, but I can find out."

It sounds simple, but saying that can be pretty intimidating, especially when someone is asking about your field of expertise. Still, choosing honesty in that moment ended up becoming one of the most valuable habits I've brought into my career.

Letting Go of the Pressure to Know Everything

A lot of us grow up believing that not knowing something makes us look weak, unprepared, or inexperienced. We worry that asking questions will expose us, but the truth is the opposite.

Pretending you know something you don't, especially in IT, is one of the fastest ways to create bigger issues. A small misunderstanding can turn into a major problem, all because someone didn't want to say, "I don't know."

Pretending you know something you don’t, especially in IT, is one of the fastest ways to create bigger issues.

Once I started saying those words more openly, something changed. Instead of feeling embarrassed, I started feeling curious. If I didn't understand something, I asked. And the more I asked, the faster I learned. Being upfront about what I didn't know saved me from hours and hours of frustration trying to figure everything out alone. "I don't know" isn't the end of the conversation. It's the beginning.

What Openness Does for Your Team

This kind of honesty doesn't just help you grow, it strengthens the entire team. Transparency prevents mistakes before they happen. Asking for help opens the door to collaboration. Admitting uncertainty allows coworkers to step in, teach, and support.

Over time, that builds trust. People know that if you're unsure, you'll ask instead of guessing. It also keeps the workplace human. None of us knows everything, and none of us are expected to. When a team embraces that idea, everyone's strengths become shared strengths, knowledge spreads faster, mentorship happens naturally, and no one feels embarrassed to speak up.

Transparency prevents mistakes before they happen. Asking for help opens the door to collaboration.

Good teams don't care about who knows the most, they care about solving the problem. When we lean into our diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets, we create a culture where curiosity isn't just accepted, it's normal.

Growth Comes From What You’re Willing to Admit

Some of the biggest jumps in my own growth didn't come from what I already knew. They came from the moments I was willing to admit what I didn't know. Every time I said, "I'm not sure," it led to a moment of learning that made me better at my job and more confident in what I do today.

Med One succeeds because people support one another. Knowledge isn't a competition, it's a shared resource. Saying "I don't know" isn't a setback. It's an act of accountability, respect, and unity. The most capable people aren't the ones who know everything, they're the ones who are willing to learn anything.

And in the end, the three most powerful words in a career aren't "I know that."

They're "I don't know… yet."