You're building a gray relationship and over time, the perception you were attempting to create or the 'I don't know' you turned into a yes to win the business only to find yourself losing sleep over how you can actually deliver on what you just said will catch up to you and the relationship. You are in fact, building the exact opposite kind of relationship you need to truly succeed, long term. No solid relationship is ever formed on providing an answer you assume the other party wants to hear in order to push a deal forward.

I could probably stop this now and just post that as a status update, but I am way too passionate about the truth, so I digress.

Most importantly it is a chance to tell the customer that you will get back with them, and when you do, you show the customer you are a person of your word. It's opportunity to be truthful and show the other party you are human, you are a hard worker and you are respectful of their question. This isn't a sign of weakness, ignorance, or a lack of professionalism, it is quite the opposite. To anyone just starting your career, or to anyone stuck trying to figure out why the phone has stopped ringing, this is my advice to you:ĭid a customer ask a question you hadn't thought of? Tell them you don't know the answer.

The audacity to be you