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Humble Inquiry

The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling

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About this listen

The key to effective communication. 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.

©2013 Edgar H Schein (P)2014 Gildan Media LLC Business Communication Career Success Organisational Behavior Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Relationships Workplace & Organisational Behavior Career Business

Critic reviews

“I have had the privilege of working with Ed Schein. Reading Humble Inquiry I could hear his voice asking me those humble questions that joined us in a mutual search for the answer. His book distills what he has learned and practiced in a lifetime of helping high-powered leaders be even more successful.”—Anthony F. Earley, Jr., Chairman, CEO and President, PG&E Corporation
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But I feel I've asked far too many badly worded questions this week. Theory is good but in practice I sound like I'm on neighbours, lilting every sentence up at the end to form a flaming question, meh I'm too easily influenced

Yes okay it's good

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I would recommend to everyone who must lead a team, coach, teach or interact with others at work and home.

I have already updated an email and some conversations based on this book. Instead of saying, “We should do this?”, I asked, “Is this something that would make the way we work together easier?” and “Is this something we could develop together?”

Sometimes, it seemed unnecessarily long. But given the helpfulness of the premise of the book. It is easily forgiven.

Ask, don’t tell. Listen without status

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Would you consider the audio edition of Humble Inquiry to be better than the print version?

I always choose the audio edition because of the flexibility in listening to it anywhere

What was one of the most memorable moments of Humble Inquiry?

It is a recipe for our times, when the art of humility may be getting lost

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me hopeful that there is a silent majority out there who aren't the ones grabbing the headlines and still have values such as humility that are important to them

Schein's quality of thinking shines through!

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it was great but more about communicating not remaining humble of which I was looking for!

great book

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Listed to this book first time one the go! I think I need to re listen at least twice to embed new ideas!
Enjoyed it!

Short and sweet eye opener

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