Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling

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.

• Humble Leadership: The Power of Relationships, Openness, and Trust (The Humble Leadership Series)
• Humble Consulting: How to Provide Real Help Faster
• Helping: How to Offer, Give, and Receive Help
• Flawless Consulting: A Guide to Getting Your Expertise Used
• The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth
• Organizational Culture and Leadership, 5th Edition (The Jossey-Bass Business & Management Series)
• The Heart of Change: Real-Life Stories of How People Change Their Organizations
• The Surprising Power of Liberating Structures: Simple Rules to Unleash A Culture of Innovation (Black and White Version)
• The Trusted Advisor
• A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas