One of the least understood responses in an investigation is when we hear someone say ‘I don’t know’. It is considered a sign of incompetence and ignorance. It is a source of shame and stigma for those being investigated.

Online session:

https://novellus.solutions/mec-events/sporonline2026/

Accident Investigation workshop

https://novellus.solutions/mec-events/accident-investigation-program/

Read my book:https://nippinanand.com/learning-from-accidents/

It is the biproduct of living in a rational society. Years of research and practice has helped me realise that ‘I don’t know’ has little to do with competence or ignorance. If at all, it reflects our own ignorance and not the one being investigated.

What it means when someone says 'I don't know'