Do you really know the stuff you are talking about, or are you just guessing?

When participating in conversations, meetings, or discussions, we’re often very confident in what we’re saying and the points we’re putting forward. But pause for a moment and ask yourself - do you truly know, or are you assuming, vaguely remembering, or guessing with confidence?

The difference matters more than you might think. It becomes especially critical if you hold a senior position or a position of influence, because your input can shape decisions, direction, or other people’s beliefs.

There are three levels of “knowing” that often show up in how we communicate

• Firsthand experience - something you’ve tested, built, or seen firsthand (e.g., a prototype or production issue)
• Secondhand evidence - something you’ve gathered from reliable sources (e.g., articles, documentation, or a reliable senior)
• Assumption - a hunch or unverified guess based on intuition, but without supporting data or research

If you have directly experienced something, be data-driven and present your case with confidence. Back it up with evidence - real numbers, a quick prototype, or observable facts. It’s okay to push back hard if something is making an incorrect point.

If you are speaking from secondhand knowledge, don’t push back too hard, but do bring supporting sources. Cite what you’ve read or heard from credible places to strengthen your position.

If what you’re saying is purely a guess - you haven’t tested it, experienced it, or researched it - go ahead and bring it up, but do so with humility. Frame it as a question or possibility, not a conclusion.

Knowing which tier you’re operating from makes your communication more honest and makes you more credible. It’s okay not to know everything. Just be upfront about it.

This simple habit can save you from embarrassment if you’re proven wrong; more importantly, it helps you build a reputation as someone thoughtful, trustworthy, and grounded.

Before you push back, know what you are standing on.