What to Say When You Don’t Have the Answer

A confident response for the moment every leader dreads

You’re mid-presentation.
Or listening intently, ready to weigh in.
Then someone asks a question you weren’t expecting.
You pause—just long enough to feel the eyes on you.

Do you guess? Deflect? Try to sound like you know?

That’s the moment.
The one leaders fear more than they admit.

Because the stakes feel high.
You’ve worked hard to earn their trust—and you know how fast perception shifts.
Say too little, and you look unprepared.
Say too much, and you sound unsure.
Scramble, and you lose control of the moment.

But here’s the truth:

Credibility doesn’t come from always having the answer.
It comes from how you show up when you don’t.

Step One: Slow down.

Before you say anything—make sure you’re answering the right question.

That alone sets you apart.
Most people rush to respond without checking for clarity.

Try something like:
“Just to clarify—are you asking about X?”
It buys you time.
It sharpens the conversation.
It shows you’re thoughtful, not thrown.

Step Two: Use language that builds trust.

You don’t need a perfect answer.
You need a confident one.

Here’s what that sounds like:

“That’s a great question.”
It shows respect—and gives you a second to think.

“That’s an important question, and I don’t have the answer top of mind. Let me confirm and get back to you.”
That signals thoughtfulness, not uncertainty.

“It’s important to me that I get this right for you.”
That’s leadership. People remember it.

These aren’t throwaway phrases.
They’re signals.
Of clarity. Of control. Of someone who doesn’t crack under pressure.

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🎧 Want to hear how this sounds in practice?
Here’s a 2-minute coaching cue to help you lead the moment—even when you don’t have the answer.

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Step Three: Shift your mindset.

This moment? It’s not about you.
It’s about the problem you’re all trying to solve together.

That’s the real shift.

Leadership isn’t about always having the answer.
It’s about protecting the quality of the conversation.

So next time you’re asked something you don’t know—
Don’t perform.
Don’t retreat.

Just lead.

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Leadership is full of high-stakes moments—and you don’t have to walk into them alone.

This growing library of 3-minute clips helps you pause, reset, and lead with clarity.
🎧 Start Listening Now

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