Certainly we all do our best to be the best we can be.  But let's face it, we don't know everything.  At least I know I don't know everything.  For years as a younger sales person I used to think I had to know it all.  I believed this so much that I would fake like I knew what I was talking about with my prospects and fellow sales associates. 

The interesting thing about faking it is that the people who know more than we do will know right off that bat that we're faking it.  Oh, they may not say anything but believe me they know.  I used to hear the saying "fake it til you make it" as I was getting started in sales.  To this day I wish I never heard this statement.  Thank God a seasoned veteran in sales got a hold of me and helped me understand that it is OK to say, "I don't know but can I find out and get back with you"  These words were so liberating.  I had finally reached a point of not having to put so much pressure on myself to be the end all be all sales guy.

Admitting what we don't know has some great advantages:

1. We relieve ourselves from unnecessary pressure of having to have all the answers

2. We put our clients at ease because they don't think we're a know it all

3. We get the opportunity to learn from our colleagues

4. We experience a more natural maturation process

5. We will eventually become a mentor to others because we've been there and done that

Talk about being a free man!  I'm a free man today because I don't hesitate to ask others for assistance on my behalf and on behalf of my clients.

Ced Reynolds

Career Recruiter

Do yourself a favor and take advantage of a risk assessment tool I make available to my business clients.  Don't worry, it's free.  Just click here and you'll be directed to a page that explains the benefits of the tool.

 

 

 

 
Post is included in group: Accountability Central
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22 Comments on Admitting what you don't know

NOV
06
2008
4 Featured Posts

Great Post! I know that I do not know everything and I tell people that all the time. I will find out as much as i can though or get the information from others. I just learned that its ok to ask for help and let others know that if I do not know something, i will not pretend I do. I will find it out.

I really like this post. TY

Best to you and yours

3:12am • #1
525,737 Points 25 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Good post Ced. It seems as if the older I get the more I do not know. As I get older I find out that it is okay to ask questions...

4:56am • #2
285,530 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

You are better off telling them that you dont know than giving wrong information. Dont try to be everything.

5:02am • #3
314,412 Points 11 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Hit Router

Great post, Cedric!  Admitting what we don't know also shows us as human!  I would never (and don't) risk telling someone something wrong.  Besides, by finding out the answer I have just learned something new, right?

5:04am • #4
105,734 Points

Good post Cedric - I had heard the same phrase so many times and I agree with you - I don't think any of us know it all and I certainly don't care to ask for help or advice - good luck to you!

6:01am • #5

I totally agree with this post-its so annoying to talk to someone that thinks they know everything! Especially like the phrase-I will find out and get back to you. It lets your clients know you really are working for them!

6:14am • #6
215,675 Points 19 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Cedric,  Your info is spot on.  I know when people are BS'ing me and I don't like it.  There is nothing wrong in saying "I'll get back to you on that."

6:18am • #7
364,404 Points 95 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Cedric-I'm the first one to fess up..if I don't know something...I ask..that to me is how you learn grow and become better!

6:27am • #8
318,620 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router

Great post. It's okay to say "I don't know but I'll find out for you." There's no shame in not knowing everything!

6:34am • #9
1 Featured Post

Timothy, it's certainly better to find out than to pretend.  Thanks for your participation my friend.

Michael, I feel the same way about asking more questions the older I get. lol... Thanks for commenting.

Laura, you're right.  Giving wrong information can be deadly. Thanks for your response.

Leesa, the gaining of new information is so vital. Thanks for your comment.

Norma, it's good that we can still learn even after we've heard it all before. Thanks for your participation.

Lisa, right on re: "It lets your clients know you really are working for them!" Thanks for commenting.

Richard, there's nothing quite like working with a person who is not shooting straight. Thanks for participating

Midori, the more we fess up the less we mess up.  Thanks for your comment.

Erica, you better believe there is no shame in not knowing everyghing.  Thanks for your participation.

 

8:47am • #10
236,038 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Ced, I find that people appreciate that you care enough to find the correct answer for them, instead of trying to be the know-it-all showoff.  People are smart and can see through the crap.

9:12am • #11
1 Featured Post

Ann, it is better to be appreciated for caring enough to find out than giving a wrong answer and losing a friend, client and potential referrals.  Thanks for your comments.

10:24am • #12

I have two responses I use when I'm not sure.

#1. I think I know the answer to that but let me make sure I have it correct before I give you an answer (I use this usually with mortgage type questions)

 #2. I will find out and get back to you tonight. Even if I call back and say I'm still waiting for a response my client know I'm care and I'm on top of thing.

10:38am • #13

Ced - You morphed from a salesperson to a customer relations specialist. This post ties in nicely with your last post.

Lisa is exactly correct.  Always get back to them. Even if it is to give them an update of what you don't know yet.

10:58am • #14

Great reminder that we need to be professionals, not walking encyclopedias!  It's ok not to know and say that you don't know but will find out.  I admired Ronald Regan as President.  He frequently said I dont' know but I'll find out.  Once when asked hw he had been so successful coming from being an actor to being President he said that he wasnt' that knowledgable, but had skill to surround hmself with people who were experts and deligate to them.

4:36pm • #15
1 Featured Post

Lisa,  I love your responses.  Hope you don't mind if I use them.

Steve, thanks for the kind words my friend.

Ann, love the delegation comment.

5:50pm • #16
NOV
07
2008
461,997 Points 13 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Cedric that's the only way to go; ask for help if it is need no sense trying to pretend you have the answers when you don't.

5:02pm • #17
1 Featured Post

Jennifer,  pretending only gets us in a lot of trouble.  Thanks for your comment.

5:29pm • #18

Ced, you are so right.  I also am envolved in an Antique business and our partner feels he has to know all.  Let me tell you what you said hit the nail on the head.  Other associates know when he is bluffing.  It sometimes makes him look foolish.  This is one of the best lessons you can learn.  I am so glad I came along your post.

5:38pm • #19
1 Featured Post

Lisa,  thanks for your participation.  Wish your partner the best discovering he doesn't havve to be a know it all.  Blessings to you as well.

5:42pm • #20
290,100 Points 4 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

I say hoinesty is the best policy. When i was a new agent on my first listing appointment, they asked me a question I had not anticipated. Yikes! I told them I was not certian of the answer and I wanted to double check with my broker. I called her back and gave her my Brokers answer which was the same answer I gave her. They interviewed three other agents, and they still selected me! She said it was because I was honest with them and admited I was not sure on that one point. The other agents tried to bluff their way through it. That turned the clients off totally. The truth will set you free!

Betina

6:06pm • #21
1 Featured Post

Betina,  first of all thanks for participatig with this post.  Bluffing can fool some of the people some of the time but will never fool all of the people all of the time.

6:34pm • #22

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Cedric (Ced) Reynolds - (909) 597-3502

Chino Hills, CA

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Address: 16011 Butterfield Ranch Rd Suite 218, Chino Hills, CA, 91709

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