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A practical and philosophical deep dive into humility: how it can build confidence, foster honesty about our strengths and limitations, and help us achieve success Daryl Van Tongeren is a leading researcher on the science of humility. In Humble, he gives this unassuming trait a much-needed rebrand, explaining why the humble enjoy a more secure sense of self, handle challenges better, and, indeed, are often the people we like the most. That's not to say Van Tongeren has mastered humility. (When he asked his wife to rate him on a scale from 1 to 10, she gave him a 4.) But in a world where narcissism is on the rise—where the shameless dominate social media and getting noticed is considered key to getting ahead—it's not surprising that we all have a bit of work to do on our sometimes self-sabotaging egos. In its true sense, humbleness is the happy medium between self-denial and self-obsession: It grants the holder an accurate view of reality. By seeing where we have room to improve, we can grow. By admitting our doubts, we can learn. And by acknowledging our own worldview as one among many, we can truly connect with others despite our differences. A thought-provoking call to reexamine our values, Humble signals a paradigm shift—from the “self-esteem movement” run amok to a better world in which we lift up one another.

This worldwide bestseller offers simple guidance for building the kind of open and trusting relationships vital for tackling global systemic challenges and developing adaptive, innovative organizations-over 200,000 copies sold and translated into seventeen languages!We live, say Ed and Peter Schein, in a culture of tell. Rather than trying to genuinely relate to other people, we tell them what we think they need to know or should do. This is particularly problematic between superiors and subordinates because anybody anywhere could have that vital fact or spot that fatal flaw that could mean the difference between success or disaster. Humble Inquiry encourages honest and open interactions, stimulates creative thinking, and protects against costly misunderstandings and mistakes. Edgar and Peter Schein defines Humble Inquiry as the fine art of drawing someone out... of building a relationship based on curiosity and interest in the other person. In this seminal work, the authors look at how Humble Inquiry differs from other kinds of inquiry, offer examples of it in action, and show how to overcome the cultural, organizational and psychological barriers that keep us from practicing it. This second edition has been updated throughout with new examples and a new chapter that shows how a lack of Humble Inquiry is at the root of so many modern organizational problems.

An innovative, “valuable” collection of essays by Charles M. Blow, Agnes Callard, and more on the personal and civic function of humility (Literature Lust). What does humility mean and why does it matter in an age of golden escalators and multibillionaires? How can the cultivation of humility empower us to see success in failure, to fight against injustice, to stretch beyond our usual ways of thinking, and to foster a culture of listening in an age of digital shouting? With contributions from renowned scholars as well as psychologists, artists, and many others, Radical Humility: Essays on Ordinary Acts offers guidance. Having witnessed the personal and civic costs of narcissism and arrogance, these and other writers consider humility as a valuable process―a state of being―with the power to impact institutions, systems, families, and individuals, and give voice to the ways in which humility is practiced in many ordinary but extraordinary actions. This groundbreaking collection is a thought-provoking read for anyone seeking alternatives to a culture of self-aggrandizing excess. Contributors: Aaron Ahuvia, Russell Belk, Charles M. Blow, Richard C. Boothman, Agnes Callard, Lynette Clemetson, Tyler Denmead, Nadia Danienta, Mickey Duzyj, Kevin Em, Eranda Jayawickreme, Kevin Hamilton, Eranda Jayawickreme, Troy Jollimore, Melissa Koenig, Aric Rindfleisch, Valerie Tiberius, and Ami Walsh

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.

Humility is a virtue that can be difficult to describe because of its paradoxical nature: claiming authority about humility and claiming that one is humble both suggest a lack of humility. In Humility, Everett L.Worthington Jr. seeks a way around this paradox by looking to people who are considered by others to be humble. He suggests people as examples: Jesus, Siddhartha, Gandhi, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther King Jr. He looks, too, at people whom he admires. He examines the characteristics of humility they share, and, in doing so, formulates a working understanding of humility. Science has made few attempts to measure humility, Worthington points out, but those few studies do give a different, but complementary, perspective on humility than the wisdom of the ages. Humility may not be a skill we can learn, but people can be inspired to be humble.'Great people—and ordinary people acting nobly—can inspire us,'Worthington writes.'When we catch the spirit, we can transfer that spirit from ourselves to others.'Quotations interspersed throughout the book reinforce the message that the unassuming virtue of humility transforms lives.