Humble inquiry The gentle art of asking instead of telling

Edgar H. Schein

Book - 2025

"This worldwide bestseller offers simple guidance for building the kind of open and trusting relationships vital for tackling global systemic challenges and developing adaptive, innovative organizations--over 200,000 copies sold and translated into seventeen languages! We live, say Edgar and Peter Schein, in a culture of ''tell.'' All too often we tell others what we think they need to know or should do. But whether we are leading or following, what matters most is we get to the truth. We have to develop a commitment to sharing vital facts and identifying faulty assumptions--it can mean the difference between success and failure. This is why we need Humble Inquiry more than ever. The Scheins define Humble Inquiry as... ''the gentle art of drawing someone out, of asking questions to which you do not know the answer, of building relationships based on curiosity and interest in the other person.'' It was inspired by Edgar's twenty years of work in high-hazard industries and the healthcare system, where honest communication can literally mean the difference between life and death. In this new edition, updates have been made throughout to delve into the fresh challenges inherent in today's workplace, including new stories and case examples as well as an entire additional chapter with a focus on humble inquiry in the context of remote and hybrid work"-- more