Katie’s boss stops by her office and asks a question that she is stumped by. She has two options: she can either look blankly at her manager OR give a confident answer! “That’s a great question, I’ll get back to you tomorrow morning with the answer.” A successful woman doesn’t always know the answers, but she does always stash a few tricks up her elegant sleeves!
It’s okay to say “I don’t know”
In moments of doubt, admit that you don’t know and say you need more time. People will respect you for being truthful. Give a date and time when you will have an answer and set a follow up meeting.
It’s okay to ask questions
After all, you want to get the best answer—and it doesn’t mean you’re not smart if you don’t immediately respond. Neha was at a panel discussion and it wasn’t clear what was being said. In the Q&A portion, she asked for clarification. She knew all she needed was to ask a clarifying question to get back on track. Not surprisingly, she also found she was not the only person who was a bit confused.
Be prepared, put in the hours
Janice was nervous before her final interview at a prestigious firm that would not only catapult her career, but also pull her out of financial debt. The more she thought about what was at stake, the more anxious she felt. But finally Janet decided she’d had enough, put on her prepping hat, and got to work. Ultimately the only way to get over not knowing enough is to do something about it! She researched, talked to her contacts, practiced answers and got the information she needed. Successful women like Janice are not afraid to put in the hard work and preparation to find their way out of a tough situation.
Call in markers
Sometimes the situation may call for an expert opinion, a specialist in the field. A successful woman realizes when she needs to get some support, and because she has helped lots of people, she is not shy about calling in some favors.
Nowhere to go? Try inside
Sometimes, what you don’t know is accessible with reflection. A successful woman knows when to take some time out for introspection. Going to a quiet space to think can allow a solution to rise from within. Guide yourself with journaling. It is a powerful practice.
