The Power of "I Don't Know"

"What do I really know?"

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The next time you're in a conversation, possibly having just been asked a question, try running the following quick experiment: 

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Once it's your turn to speak, notice the urge to reply immediately. This seeming imperative to download your opinion ... and then wait.

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Maybe for only 1 second.

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In that second, ask yourself a question, and be honest: "What do I really know?" 

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Knowing the whole truth about any given topic isn't likely. Even if you know bunches, pontification with dramatic hand gestures aren't likely to be useful.

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What if you don't know about the topic? 

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For me, history and geography are areas of human knowledge that are shockingly absent. This used to be embarrassing. When asked about X or Y historical event, for example, I'd usually just nod, knowing I had no idea what was going on but being too embarrassed to admit that.

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Here's a different game to play: 

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Friend: "Hey, Brian. I just watched this documentary on Julius Caesar. Can you believe he demanded the Senate make him dictator for life?!?"

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Me: [Notices urge to nod head ... It would be so easy just to say, "Crazy, right?" ... but ... What do I really know? ... Oh ya ... I know I don't know ... ]

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Me: "My 7-year-old probably knows more about this than I do. What did the Senate say?"

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Friend: [Continues the conversation, reduces my ignorance, gets to know me on a more personal level, likely appreciates my vulnerability and the opportunity to share something he obviously is excited enough about to bring it up in the first place. Our friendship deepens].

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This is the power of "I don't know."