ABOUT THIS EPISODE
What happens inside you when someone responds to athoughtful question with three little words: “I don’t know”?
Sometimes our instinct is to jump in. Ask another question.Offer some choices. Explain what we meant. Rescue the conversation. Anything to fill that slightly uncomfortable space.
But what if “I don’t know” isn’t a problem to solve?
Sometimes it means, “I’ve never thought about this before.”Sometimes it means, “I know, but I’m not ready to say it.” Sometimes it means, “I’m afraid of what my answer might require of me.” And sometimes, the person simply needs a little more time to think.
There is tremendous value in having tools, processes, andstructures to help other people grow. But eventually, we have to learn when to stop reaching for the next tool and simply pay attention to the human being in front of us.
Maybe “I don’t know” is not the end of the conversation.
Maybe it is where the interesting part begins.
Michelle@GrowbyOne.com
CA.Growby1.com
Reflection Questions
What happens inside you when someone responds to you with “I don’t know”?
How quickly do you tend to fill silence when another personis thinking?
When someone does not have an immediate answer, do you tend to ask another question, explain yourself, offer options, or try to help them find the answer?
Where in your own life might “I don’t know” actually meanthat you need more time, safety, courage, or space to discover what you really think?
What might change in your relationships if you became morecomfortable trusting another person’s process instead of trying to move it along?
