Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling

We live, say Ed and Peter Schein, in a culture of "tell." Rather than trying to genuinely relate to other people, we tell them what we think they need to know or should do. This is particularly problematic between superiors and subordinates because those in charge all too often fail to recognize the fatal flaw that could mean the difference be- tween success or disaster. Humble Inquiry encourages honest and open interactions, stimulates creative thinking, and protects against costly misunderstandings and mistakes. Ed and Peter Schein define Humble Inquiry as "the fine art... of building a relationship based on curiosity and interest in the other person." In this seminal work, the authors look at how Humble Inquiry differs from other kinds of inquiry, offer stories of it in action, and show how to overcome the cultural, organizational, and psychological barriers that keep us from practicing it. This second edition has been updated throughout with new examples and exercises to illuminate how a lack of Humble Inquiry is at the root of so many modern organizational problems.