Just because you work at a given company doesn’t mean you know the ins and outs of a project two departments over. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't definition is - —used to say that it is better to deal with a difficult person or situation one knows than with a new person or situation that could be worse. I can send them to you by the end of the week.”This way, you’re still putting a premium on giving an accurate answer (by not accidentally guessing wrong) but not worrying anyone by saying “I don’t know” to what should be a basic question.At work (and in life), honesty is always the best policy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t choose your words wisely. Even within your own department, sometimes you don’t have the background or expertise to answer everything (nor, frankly, should you).However, responding “I don’t know,” probably won’t do the person seeking answers any favors—or make you look any better. She explains that our inability to admit we don’t know … If I didn’t know better I’d swear we’re more than friends, you’re touching me again If I didn’t know better I’d think we were in love Girl, do you wanna tell me something Oh, oh, oh I could be wrong about the things you say But I don’t rub up on my friends that way You tell me that you’ve always been a flirt In my previous blog I addressed the leadership challenge of asking good questions. I don’t know. “I Don’t Know” is Not an Answer—or an Option! For nearly three years, she was an editor at The Muse, and she's regularly contributed career advice to Mashable. Delivered to your inbox!used to say that it is better to deal with a difficult person or situation one knows than with a new person or situation that could be worsePost the Definition of better the devil you know than the devil you don't to FacebookShare the Definition of better the devil you know than the devil you don't on Twitter It would be better for that man if he had never been born.”
“I’m not sure I’m the best person to answer that” is a non-awkward response that saves you from any political landmines—and encourages the other person to drop it.It can be incredibly frustrating when you know all of the pertinent information for a particular meeting and project—and yet you find yourself saying, “I don’t know” because This is the perfect time to employ, “Here’s what I This strategy not only brings the discussion back on topic—it makes sure all of your hard work and research doesn’t go to waste.It happens: You’re behind in your research, your mind has gone blank, or for whatever reason, you’re unable to answer a question you’re expected to know (like, “how did the last advertising campaign go?”—when you’re the marketing manager).In place of “I don’t know” try, “That’s exactly what I’m seeking to answer”—a response that makes it clear that you’re right there with your boss, client, or whoever’s asking and that an answer is forthcoming.If that feels incomplete, continue to answer in broad strokes and promise the exact facts and figures in a follow-up email: “Initial numbers showed that it was performing well, but I still need to pull the exact figures. Read on for three phrases you can use in place of “I don’t know” and the best times to use each one.Sometimes, you don’t know the answer to a question because there’s no earthly way you could. Leah Hager Cohen explores this topic in her book, I Don’t Know: In Praise of Admitting Ignorance.
Say, “I’m not sure I’m the best person to answer that,” then follow up with the appropriate referral to your boss, another department, or whoever can better answer the question.This approach also works when you do have an answer, but you probably shouldn’t be talking about it (e.g., you accidentally overheard the information, you were given it in confidence, or you know that it’s a dicey topic). better the devil you know than the one you don't know; by heart; come in out of the rain, know enough to; coming or going, not know if one is; damned if I know; devil you know is better than the devil you don't know, the; do you know Dr. Wright of Norwich; doesn't know beans; doesn't know sic 'em (from come here) Don’t I know it! Upon its release, It's Better If You Don't Understand received rave reviews from music critics.Bill Lamb of About.com labeled the EP a "pop pleasure", further praising the record by saying "with justice in the pop music world, this is the music that should be on your radio", rating It's Better If You Don't Understand four and a half out of five stars. The best course of action is to employ a phrase that avoids misleading the other person, but still makes him or her feel like you answered the question. Her advice has been published across the web (