How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

Question

In meetings im often asked to answer a question or solve a problem on the fly. I hate to do that because it doesn&rsquo;t give me time to fully think through what needs to be done, the best way to do it, and any implications.What I try to do is tell people I&rsquo;ll take a look and get back to them. But I never found a good way to do it confidently, in a way that doesn&rsquo;t make it seem like I can&rsquo;t be trusted that I know what I&rsquo;m doing. Particularly if they want me to do the task in front of them.Any advice?

sjs382 · Accepted Answer

Just like that, but offer a timeframe for a response. That is what builds trust and confidence.
You can also offer a "back of a napkin" answer if it's appropriate, but make it clear that you will give it the proper consideration and give a better considered answer. Maybe specify a large margin of error.
All that said, not everything requires rigor. In some cases, "fuzzy" answers are good enough. Learn to identify them and not to waste time giving less important things extra attention.

Telaneo · Answer

'Let me get back to you on that in 30 minutes/tomorrow/a week' (depending on the complexity of the question at hand).

joules77 · Answer

"I don't know off hand, but I'll have a better answer for you in X mins/hours/days."

NoPicklez · Answer

Depends on the question, you could say something that validates the importance of the question or what you're trying to solve and say let me think this through further and I'll get back to you.

lordkrandel · Answer

The first to convince is yourself. What would you think of someone who says that? Do you think that the other person is incompetent? Unless you solve this, you won't appear confident.

ashu1461 · Answer

It is totally fine to just say it simple terms.What will give you confidence is actually following up and getting back to people and closing the thread.Then people will trust you as well.

JohnFen · Answer

I say it exactly like that. "I don't know, but I'll find out and get back to you."They key isn't how you say it, the key is that you consistently do it so that people learn that when you say it, you mean it.

How do you say “I don’t know, but I’ll get back to you” confidently?

'Let me get back to you on that in 30 minutes/tomorrow/a week' (depending on the complexity of the question at hand).

"I don't know off hand, but I'll have a better answer for you in X mins/hours/days."

Depends on the question, you could say something that validates the importance of the question or what you're trying to solve and say let me think this through further and I'll get back to you.

The first to convince is yourself. What would you think of someone who says that? Do you think that the other person is incompetent? Unless you solve this, you won't appear confident.

It is totally fine to just say it simple terms.
What will give you confidence is actually following up and getting back to people and closing the thread.
Then people will trust you as well.

I say it exactly like that. "I don't know, but I'll find out and get back to you."
They key isn't how you say it, the key is that you consistently do it so that people learn that when you say it, you mean it.