--- title: "What to Read: Humble Inquiry | PPS International Limited" description: "In this issue of \"What to Read,\" we summarize concepts from the book, Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling (Humble Leadership) by Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein." image: https://www.ppsinternational.net/hubfs/pps-international/resources/images/pps-resource-69d1c110ddcb37096893.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources/book-reviews/humble-inquiry-edgar-h-schein-closer-look#main-content) [![PPS International Limited](https://www.ppsinternational.net/hubfs/raw_assets/public/pps-international/assets/images/logo.svg)](https://www.ppsinternational.net/) [Expertise](https://www.ppsinternational.net/expertise) [Leadership Development](https://www.ppsinternational.net/leadership-development) [Talent Development](https://www.ppsinternational.net/talent-development) [Communication & Influence](https://www.ppsinternational.net/communication-influence) [Change & Transition](https://www.ppsinternational.net/change-transition) [Sales & HR Effectiveness](https://www.ppsinternational.net/sales-hr-effectiveness) [Performance Support](https://www.ppsinternational.net/performance-support) [Implementation Support](https://www.ppsinternational.net/implementation-support) [Solutions](https://www.ppsinternational.net/solutions) [Assessments](https://www.ppsinternational.net/assessments) [Contract Training & Facilitation](https://www.ppsinternational.net/contract-training-facilitation) [Coaching Services](https://www.ppsinternational.net/coaching) [Instructional Design Services](https://www.ppsinternational.net/instructional-design) [Interaction Styles](https://www.ppsinternational.net/interaction-styles) [Training Administration](https://www.ppsinternational.net/training-administration) [Training Programs](https://www.ppsinternational.net/programs) [Shop](https://shop.ppsinternational.net/) [Resources](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources) [About](https://www.ppsinternational.net/about) [About PPS](https://www.ppsinternational.net/about) [Who We Serve](https://www.ppsinternational.net/who-we-serve) [Get in touch](https://www.ppsinternational.net/contact) Search the site Search Search the site Search Expertise [Explore all expertise](https://www.ppsinternational.net/expertise) [Leadership Development](https://www.ppsinternational.net/leadership-development) [Talent Development](https://www.ppsinternational.net/talent-development) [Communication & Influence](https://www.ppsinternational.net/communication-influence) [Change & Transition](https://www.ppsinternational.net/change-transition) [Sales & HR Effectiveness](https://www.ppsinternational.net/sales-hr-effectiveness) [Performance Support](https://www.ppsinternational.net/performance-support) [Implementation Support](https://www.ppsinternational.net/implementation-support) Solutions [Explore all solutions](https://www.ppsinternational.net/solutions) [Assessments](https://www.ppsinternational.net/assessments) [Contract Training & Facilitation](https://www.ppsinternational.net/contract-training-facilitation) [Coaching Services](https://www.ppsinternational.net/coaching) [Instructional Design Services](https://www.ppsinternational.net/instructional-design) [Interaction Styles](https://www.ppsinternational.net/interaction-styles) [Training Administration](https://www.ppsinternational.net/training-administration) [Training Programs](https://www.ppsinternational.net/programs) Explore [Resources](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources) [About PPS](https://www.ppsinternational.net/about) [Who We Serve](https://www.ppsinternational.net/who-we-serve) [Shop](https://shop.ppsinternational.net/) [Get in touch](https://www.ppsinternational.net/contact) Book Review [Communication & Influence](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources?topic=communication-influence) March 23, 2017 # What to Read: Humble Inquiry ![What to Read: Humble Inquiry](https://www.ppsinternational.net/hs-fs/hubfs/pps-international/resources/images/pps-resource-69d1c110ddcb37096893.jpg?width=680&height=572&name=pps-resource-69d1c110ddcb37096893.jpg) The book [*Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling*](https://www.amazon.com/Humble-Inquiry-Gentle-Instead-Telling/dp/1609949811) by Edgar Schein describes the mindset that best suits today’s leaders who are facing the increasingly VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) business environment. Schein speaks about the need to move away from an expert mindset (telling) and move towards a humble mindset (inquiring). Because leaders are faced with an overwhelming volume of information today they must consider that it is not possible to know everything that is happening. This thinking requires a level of humility—accepting that being a Subject Matter Expert (SME) is not possible all the time. Leaders will come face-to-face with complex situations where the number of variables and factors reduce the likelihood that answers will be readily apparent. Today’s leaders need to accept that knowing is not always possible. In order to be more effective, leaders can create environments that are adaptive and invite collaboration. The skills required to do this are deep listening—exploring possibilities through inquiry. Learn more about *[Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling](https://www.amazon.com/Humble-Inquiry-Gentle-Instead-Telling/dp/1609949811) here.* [Communication & Influence](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources?topic=communication-influence) [Book Reviews](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources?type=book-reviews) Continue learning ## Recent Resources ### [![](https://www.ppsinternational.net/hubfs/pps-international/resources/images/pps-resource-e0ca14c82b11d27f2a47.jpg) Article Keeping Leadership Development Relevant: How Global Companies Can Evolve Programs Over Time](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources/articles/keeping-leadership-development-relevant) ### [![](https://www.ppsinternational.net/hubfs/pps-international/resources/images/pps-resource-a0d85894924c99644293.png) Article How to Plan Sales Leadership Development](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources/articles/how-to-plan-sales-leadership-development) ### [![](https://www.ppsinternational.net/hubfs/pps-international/resources/images/pps-resource-18541a4792de9088a187.jpg) Case Study Microlearning Examples: A Real Deployment Case Study](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources/case-studies/digital-microlearning-a-case-study) ### [![](https://www.ppsinternational.net/hubfs/pps-international/resources/images/pps-resource-090c6ec1b4a7ba4d8f28.jpg) Video Hybrid Blended Learning: Designing Training That Works](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources/videos/designing-training-that-works-for-hybrid-participant-groups) ### [![](https://www.ppsinternational.net/hubfs/pps-international/resources/images/pps-resource-b0109635f2767f216114.jpg) Article Networking Activities: A Facilitator's Field Guide](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources/articles/ways-to-encourage-networking-during-training) ### [![](https://www.ppsinternational.net/hubfs/pps-international/resources/images/pps-resource-cc44abdfc0a991700975.jpg) Article Train the Trainer: A Practical Guide for L&D Leaders Who Want to Use Managers as Trainers](https://www.ppsinternational.net/resources/articles/using-managers-as-trainers) ## We’re ready for you. 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