As you climb the career ladder, the pressure to know everything can feel like a trial. You may feel that admitting mistakes could undermine your hard work. Or that you need to have all the answers. But that’s an unfair amount of pressure to put on yourself. Your well-being and creativity will suffer for it. Because acquiring knowledge and expertise is a lifelong process.
Admitting what you don’t know is the 1st step towards gaining greater understanding. It’s essential for your psychological safety and that of your colleagues. When you’re open about not having an answer, you can collaborate with others to find it. You’ll not only show yourself that it’s safe to be honest about mistakes or gaps in knowledge; You’ll make it clear to everyone else, too.