Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1609949811 ISBN 13: 9781609949815

Publisher: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2013

Communication is essential in a healthy organization. But all too often when we interact with people—especially those who report to us—we simply tell them what we think they need to know. This shuts them down. To generate bold new ideas, to avoid disastrous mistakes, to develop agility and flexibility, we need to practice Humble Inquiry.

Ed Schein defines Humble Inquiry as “the fine art of drawing someone out, of asking questions to which you do not know the answer, of building a relationship based on curiosity and interest in the other person.” In this seminal work, Schein contrasts Humble Inquiry with other kinds of inquiry, shows the benefits Humble Inquiry provides in many different settings, and offers advice on overcoming the cultural, organizational, and psychological barriers that keep us from practicing it.

Book Description:

From one of the true giants in organizational development, career development and organizational psychology comes a simple and effective technique for building more positive relationships―particularly between people of different status―that will lead to more honest and open interactions and stronger organizations.

About the Author:

Edgar H. Schein is the Society of Sloan Fellows Professor of Management Emeritus at the MIT Sloan School of Management. His previous books include Helping; Process Consultation Revisited; The Corporate Culture Survival Guide; DEC Is Dead, Long Live DEC; Organizational Culture and Leadership; and Career Anchors.