For a long time, I felt the pressure to always have an answer, or at least pretend I did.
Gregor Ojstersek’s recent article in the Engineering Leadership newsletter really cuts through this myth. He argues that being comfortable saying “I don’t know” is actually a sign of experience, maturity, and true seniority.
Because a senior mindset is ultimately about trust.
A senior engineer isn’t the one who knows everything — it’s the one who responds confidently and constructively when they don’t know:
- “I don’t know yet, but I’ll look into it.”
- “Let’s explore this together.”
- “I know someone who might have the answer.”
What began as a light weekend read ended up strongly reinforcing something I deeply believe: honesty builds trust.
Admitting you don’t know something isn’t a flaw — it’s part of being reliable, especially in senior roles.
Highly recommended read: Saying “I don’t know” Is a Sign of Seniority For Me by Gregor Ojstersek
I’d love to hear what you think about this. Drop a comment on the related LinkedIn post or reach out directly.