People trust you more when you admit what you don't know

Watching someone try to answer a question they clearly don't know the answer to.

It's painful.

They fumble. Guess. Use vague language. Try to sound smart.

And you can feel the credibility draining away in real time.

Had a call last week where a potential client asked something I had no idea about.

Old me would've tried to BS my way through it.

"Well, there are several approaches... it really depends on the context... various factors..."

Word salad. Sounds like knowledge. Actually means nothing.

New me just said: "Honestly? I don't know. But I know who would. Let me connect you."

Thought I killed the deal.

They hired me on the spot.

Said: "That's the first straight answer I've gotten in weeks."

Here's what I've learned.

The DTC beauty category is crowded. To break through, Jennifer Aniston’s brand LolaVie, worked with Roku Ads Manager to easily set up, test, and optimize CTV ad creatives. The campaign helped drive a big lift in sales and customer growth, helping LolaVie break through in the crowded beauty category.

Learn more

Pretending to know everything makes you look insecure.

Admitting what you don't know makes you look honest.

And people trust honest over smart every single time.

Because everyone knows you can't know everything.

But not everyone admits it.

So when you do, you stand out.

Plus it gives you permission to focus on what you're actually great at.

Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, you get to say:

"This is what I'm exceptional at. For everything else, I know the right people."

That's not weakness. That's positioning.

You're not a generalist trying to know it all.

You're a specialist who's connected.

Way more valuable.

So next time you don't know something, just say it.

Then either find out or refer them to someone who does.

Your credibility will go up, not down.

Talk soon, Dyl - Founder of Relentlece.

P.S. What question do you keep pretending to know the answer to? Stop. Just say you don't know.

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The DTC beauty category is crowded. To break through, Jennifer Aniston’s brand LolaVie, worked with Roku Ads Manager to easily set up, test, and optimize CTV ad creatives. The campaign helped drive a big lift in sales and customer growth, helping LolaVie break through in the crowded beauty category.

Learn more