That’s me, pretending to be a chef at a cooking class in Hoi An. Don’t be fooled by how confidently I wield that knife. Nor by the snappy chef’s hat.

Just because I look like I can cut a carrot into tiny batons, each one exactly the same size and shape, doesn’t mean that I can. And if you think I can successfully translate the recipe onto the plate, think again!

Face your limitations

It’s a brave move to face your limitations. And it’s why, when someone asks you something you don’t know, you should say just that. ‘I don’t know’. Because with those three words, you suddenly climb another rung on the respect ladder.

Sure, when people assume you know what you’re doing and you don’t, you may be able to wing it and get away with it.

But why take that risk?

Why do all the hard, emotion work of faking it?

Close the gap

A better solution is to close the gap and leave people better off for having asked you in the first place. That might mean you recommend someone who does know. And it might mean you decide to take the time and learn it yourself. After all, it’s just as easy to say ‘I don’t know but I’ll find out and get back to you’ as it is to say ‘I don’t know’.

Either way… you win!