1 Tip Tuesday: I Know

“I Know.”

You might not realize that this simple two-word phrase can eat away at trust and connection.

When you blurt out, “I know,” you are subtly saying (or maybe not so subtly) that what you just told me isn’t valuable, often with a little bit of tone inflection that implies… “dumb*ss.” 😮

No doubt that we’ve all experienced this in some way. My pre-teen daughter just hit my wife with it this morning.

Even though it’s “probably” not intentional, the person sharing their thoughts hears “I already know that” and may feel dismissed or that their contribution was pointless. They may even think, “Well, if you already knew that, then why did/didn’t you __________________?”

“I know,” slams a door shut. Instead, you can accept the comment without saying a word or—one of my favorites—be curious. Respond with, “Good point, tell me more,” or whatever feels right at the moment. You could even say, “Thank you.”

Just not, “I know.”

Relationships grow stronger when we prioritize connection over correction. “I know” is a correction—a slap. You don’t have to prove how smart you are or that you know that (dumb*ss). If you value the relationship, communicate intentionally and create room for others to share.

Don’t be on autopilot and let words fly out of your mouth. The next time you’re tempted to say, “I know,” pause. Show curiosity. Ask a question. Your relationships—and your team—will thank you.

And you avoid unintentionally calling anyone a dumb*ss. 🫠

Go get ‘em! 🚀

—Brenden