Answer Analysis - Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

It's Friday, so it's time for another Answer Analysis. I'm sure that you are wondering, "What sort of insight can be gleaned from the banal 'Chicken Crossed the Road' joke?" I promise there is one, so let's find out!

The key to what you should say lies in what you do next. Jumping in and stating...

• "To get to the other side!"
• "To actualize its potential!"
• "To come, to see, to conquer!"

... is wrong. Wrong! Dead wrong. Why? Because you didn't pause. If you had paused your attorney should have barked out: "Objection, calls for speculation!"

Whenever you hear those magic words, your answer should always be: "I don't know." Period. End of story.

Why would you answer with any other response?!? Your attorney is telling you that you don't know. You are not supposed to speculate during a deposition. So don't. You are not supposed to defend your case during a deposition. So don't. You should only answer when you know the truth. Don't speculate.