ABSTRACT
This chapter, the second of three chapters on the process of helping, introduces Schein’s work on humble inquiry, humble consulting, humble leadership and relationships. It describes how, after over 60 years of emphasising process, Schein moved to emphasising the disposition of being “humble”, which he defined as “the fine 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” grounded in “the attitude of listening more deeply to others’ responses to our inquiry, responding appropriately and revealing more of ourselves in the relationship building process”. The chapter presents Schein’s framework of levels of relationship and his emphasis on Level Two relationship through personisation where people get to know one another as individuals and develop a deeper degree of openness and trust. The questions for study and reflection at the end of the chapter invite the readers to reflect on their dispositions in a leadership or helping situation, especially when they do not know the answer.
