"I'll get back to you on that!"

In my corporate career, I spent years in client-facing roles. When you are responsible for managing and developing a client relationship, they often ask questions you do not know the answer to. In practice, the worst reaction is to guess just to satisfy the customer in the moment. The best response is, “Good question. I don’t know the answer, but I’ll get back to you on that.” This response builds trust and demonstrates that you will do what you say you will do.

The action that takes place between the question and the answer involves a bit of work including research, engaging with subject matter experts, documenting or even testing concepts independently to arrive at an answer or solution.

The same is true when facing any kind of career transition. There are so many questions like these:

• What do I want to do next?

• How do I figure out how to get promoted?

• How do I plan my routine and life in retirement?

• What do I want to learn?

• Who do I want to talk to?

• What do I say to myself and others in the meantime?

  
  

The answers don’t come quickly. However, they should start with thoughts such as:

• I don’t know yet, but I am going to figure it out.

• I will do some research.

• I will talk to others.

• I will try a few things out and see how it goes. I will pay attention to my reaction.

• I will write down ideas and attend interesting events.

• I will follow through. I will try again.

  
  

The very definition of transition of an “in between.” We are neither “here” nor “there.” Much remains uncertain. Best practice suggests we must accept that we don’t always have the answers. At this stage we truly don’t know what is next or what we’ll find ourselves doing.

While it is entirely normal, it can be uncomfortable. We want things resolved. We desire the answers to the questions. The challenge is to be comfortable in the not knowing and having the confidence that we will know, just not yet. We’ll research. We’ll flirt with ideas. We’ll talk to ourselves and others. We will explore.

For now, the answer is simply, “I’ll get back to you on that!”