When I don’t know about something, I certainly don’t want to appear stupid or ignorant. I’ve adopted a couple different ways to deal with these situations.
The best one is to ask great questions and, when I don’t know what to ask, admitting that and lay them teach me what they know and see.
Then, from there, I listen and learn their perspective.
This works extremely well both at work and with those hyper opinionated family members who get under your skin talking about politics.
Oops. I brought up the subject I shouldn’t—politics.
Asking questions and appearing interested by listening carefully to what is said and not said, seeking clarification for the points I don’t know or understand while, at the same time, playfully poking fun at myself for my ignorance, works very well for me.
There is no need to be a bully when you don’t understand.
Remember, you don’t know everything.
Ⓒ The Big Game Hunter, Inc., Asheville, NC 2019
ABOUT JEFF ALTMAN, THE BIG GAME HUNTER
Jeff Altman, The Big Game Hunter is a career and leadership coach who worked as a recruiter for more than 40 years. He is the host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 podcast in iTunes for job search with more than 1600 episodes and his newest show, “No BS Coaching Advice” and is a member of The Forbes Coaches Council.
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