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Brain Circuits
Out of the question #2: What to say when you don’t know the answer
Have you ever found yourself in a scenario when, as leader, you’re expected to know the answer to a question but don’t? In the second of a two-part series, Francesca Giulia Mereu suggests useful responses to challenging questions.
1. Paraphrase the question
“If I understand you correctly, you’re asking [why/how/when/who…] Is this what you mean?”
Why it works:
- Shows respect and willingness to engage.
- Buys you time to reflect.
2. Reframe or redirect
“I’m glad you asked me that. It raises an important question about…”
Why it works:
- Steers the conversation onto ground where you are more comfortable.
- Useful if the question is very specific or technical (or off-topic).
3. Deploy the power of “yet”
“We have not decided that yet…”
Why it works:
- Shows accountability.
- Sets clear expectations for follow-up.
4. Invite collaboration
“Before I answer, does anyone here have any insights they can share on this one?”
- Demonstrates team-oriented leadership.
- Leverages collective intelligence.
5. Fess up!
Sometimes, you just have to come clean and admit that you don’t know the answer – but how you do it is key. “Fess up” confidently and without a hint of defensiveness, as if to imply that it’s perfectly reasonable that you don’t have the answer to hand right now, and make sure to specify a clear date/timeline for your follow-up.
Key learning
In pressure situations, people are looking to you for leadership first. This is less about knowing the solution, and more about driving the process and human dynamics that lead to it. Practice the responses in low-stakes scenarios so they become innate, and be sure to check out part 1 of this series (see link below). And remember: how you say it often carries more conviction than what you say.
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