When you need this

When you lead a team, questions come all day. Some you can answer on the spot. Some you don't know. Some you know but can't share yet. And some are really a worry dressed up as a question: "Is the office moving?" might mean "Is my job safe?"

Each type has its own honest answer. When you don't know, say so and promise a time. When you can't share, say that too, instead of pretending you don't know; people usually find out later, and they remember. When someone asks you something they could decide themselves, hand it back ("What do you think?" or "It's your call"), because that's how people grow. And when a question sounds bigger than its words, ask what's behind it.

Phrases

encouraging the person who asked

sharing partial information honestly

you don't know, but you'll check

you know, but you're not allowed to tell

handing the question back to build confidence

telling someone the decision is theirs

working on an answer with them

sending them to the right expert

a light joke: someone more senior decides

admitting it plainly

finding the real worry

encouraging a new or shy person

checking you understood what they meant

Say it out loud

Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.

Practice · 3 min

Say the line that fits. Situation on the left, one natural line on the right.

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Say it today

Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.