2 Humble Inquiry in Practice—Case Examples

In this chapter I present a wide range of examples from the mundane to the profound to illustrate that there is no absolute formula for Humble Inquiry. Remember: Humble Inquiry is the skill and the art of drawing someone out, of asking questions to which you do not already know the answer, of building a relationship based on curiosity and interest in the other person.

It is an attitude reflected in a variety of behaviors that are appropriate to the given situation. Many of the examples do not involve actual interdependence but illustrate the importance of building relationships such that when you are suddenly interdependent, the other party will trust you enough to be open and helpful. Ultimately the purpose of Humble Inquiry is to build relationships that lead to trust which, in turn, leads to better communication and collaboration.