68: Embracing the gentle art of Humble Inquiry with Edgar and Peter Schein
Jun 4, 2021
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Psychologist Edgar Schein and his son Peter discuss the importance of communication, the art of humble inquiry, and building a culture of curiosity. They explore topics such as psychological safety, speaking up in organizations, and the power of group dynamics in the workplace.
Building relationships and effective communication are vital aspects of work that should be prioritized alongside task performance.
Humble inquiry involves asking questions to which the leader genuinely does not have the answer, fostering psychological safety and collective learning.
Shifting from a telling approach to an asking approach and reducing professional distance can foster adaptive and innovative cultures.
Deep dives
The Importance of Building Relationships and Communication
Building relationships and effective communication are vital aspects of work that are often overlooked. Many organizations prioritize task performance over developing a cohesive group dynamic. However, it is crucial for leaders to dedicate time and effort to building relationships and open lines of communication. This involves actively investing in conversations, collaboration, and mentorship. Strong relationships and effective communication promote trust, psychological safety, and collective learning, ultimately leading to better decision-making and improved organizational performance.
The Role of Humble Inquiry in Leadership
Humble inquiry is the art of asking questions to which the leader genuinely does not have the answer. It requires leaders to acknowledge their own limitations and approach conversations with curiosity and genuine ignorance. Instead of asserting their knowledge, humble leaders seek to understand and draw out the knowledge of others. This approach fosters psychological safety, encourages open dialogue, and emphasizes the importance of collective learning. Humble inquiry helps leaders gain clarity rather than absolute certainty, leading to more effective decision-making and positive organizational outcomes.
Transforming Organizational Culture
Transforming an organization's culture requires a shift in mindset and a redefinition of work. Building relationships, effective communication, and group dynamics should be elevated as critical components of work, alongside task performance and productivity. This necessitates leaders modeling and incentivizing relationship-building behaviors, investing time in nurturing formal and informal relationships, and creating a culture of open dialogue and curiosity. Additionally, organizations can explore practices such as rotating leadership roles and incorporating trained facilitators to enhance group dynamics and promote collective learning. Embracing these principles can establish a culture of collaboration, trust, and continuous learning, leading to improved organizational performance and employee well-being.
Shift from telling to asking
The podcast highlights the importance of shifting from a telling approach to an asking approach. It emphasizes the value of asking questions to which you don't know the answer, approaching situations with curiosity and an open mind.
Building relationships and reducing professional distance
The podcast discusses the significance of intentionally building relationships at work and reducing professional distance. It explores the concept of level two relationships, where individuals engage in whole person to whole person interactions, sharing and inquiring humbly. It suggests that developing these relationships is crucial for fostering adaptive and innovative cultures. It also highlights the need for individuals to have the mindfulness to engage in process inquiry and regularly assess how well the team is working together.
Listeners interested in psychology, sociology and leadership are in for a real treat with this special extended Happier at Work episode with father-son duo Edgar and Peter Schein. Ed and Peter co-founded the Organizational Culture and Leadership Institute (OCLI.org) in 2015. Ed and Peter have just completed their fourth collaboration, the upcoming 2nd Edition of Humble Inquiry.
In this episode, Aoife O’Brien, Edgar Schein and Peter Schein discuss the importance of communication, the gentle art of Humble Enquiry and the benefits of moving forward with an open and curious mind to create a better culture. Key points covered throughout the episode include:
- An introduction to Ed and Peter Schein’s backgrounds.
- What is Humble Inquiry?
- Why we should attack the culture of telling and promote a culture of inquiry.
- The importance and influence of personal & trusting relationships.
- Psychological safety and cultural evolution.
- Encouraging people to speak up.
- Rewarding courage in the workspace.
- Exploring professional distance.
- Process of inquiry – taking time out to examine are you asking the right questions.
- The power of groups and learning how to work effectively in a team.
- What makes Ed and Peter Happier at Work.
Edgar Schein is Professor Emeritus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management.
Ed received BA degrees from the University of Chicago and Stanford and his PhD in Social Psychology from Harvard University. He is the 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Scholar-Practitioner Award of the Academy of Management, the 2012 recipient of the Life-Time Achievement Award from the International Leadership Association, the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award in Organization Development from the International OD Network.
Peter Schein is the co-founder and COO of OCLI.org. He provides counsel to senior management on organizational development challenges facing private and public sector entities worldwide. Peter’s work draws on 30 years of industry experience in marketing and corporate development at technology pioneers including Apple, SGI, Sun Microsystems, and numerous internet start-ups.
Ed and Peter’s first work together, the 5th edition of Organizational Culture and Leadership, was published in 2016. In 2018, Ed and Peter published Humble Leadership, which won the Nautilus Book Awards Silver Medal, and in 2019 they published Culture + Change +Leadership: The Corporate Culture Survival Guide 3rd Edition.
Connect with Edgar & Peter Schein:
http://www.scheinocli.org/
http://www.linkedin.com/in/peteraschein/
http://www.scheinocli.org/publications
Connect with Happier at Work host Aoife O’Brien:
http://www.happieratwork.ie
http://www.linkedin.com/in/aoifemobrien
http://www.twitter.com/HappierAtWorkHQ
http://www.instagram.com/happieratwork.ie
http://www.facebook.com/groups/happieratworkpodcast
Resources:
Douglas McGregor – Theory X Theory Y concept
http://www.businessballs.com/improving-workplace-performance/mcgregors-xy-theory-of-management/
Bob Johansen – Institute For The Future
http://www.iftf.org/bobjohansen/
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