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IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency
Humble Inquiry -
Deepening Shared Space
Germaine Watts
Intelligent Organizational Systems
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Purpose of Shared Space
To tap into the wealth of knowledge,
experience and insight in the
organization, and to build shared
understanding that supports safe
behaviours and good performance.
Me
Shared space
External space
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Characteristics of shared space
Space that is characterized by:
• Mutual respect
• Working relationships that support trust
• Openness – free flow sharing of thoughts and ideas
• Dialogue instead of discussion and argumentation
• Willing expression of views based on inner thoughts
and feelings about particular issue, without fear of
recrimination or social exclusion
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Power Dynamics
Dominance
Balance of Power
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Making the difference….
Dialogue Discussion Debate
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Humble Inquiry
Deepening shared space
through humble inquiry
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Reflection – 2 minutes
• Think about your daily life with friends and family.
• Reflect on the kinds of questions you tend to ask in
these ordinary conversation and work situations.
• Are they different?
• Why?
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Why Humble Inquiry?
• We know how to create spaces that invite the intellect to
show up, to argue its case, to make its point.
• We know how to create spaces that invite the emotions to
show up, to express anger or joy.
• We know how to create spaces that invite the will to show
up, to consolidate effort and energy round a common task.
• And we surely know how to create spaces that invite the
ego to show up, preening itself and claiming its turf!
• But we seem to know very little about creating spaces that
invite the trusting self to show up.
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How Humble Inquiry builds relationships?
• Telling –puts the other person down; implies they
don’t know or understand; invites impatience and
defensiveness.
• Asking –temporarily empowers the other person;
gives attention and respect; invites trustworthy
behaviour by making self vulnerable.
• Builds openness and trust – sense of balance and
reciprocity through iterative cycles of empowerment
and vulnerability – emotionally courageous
leadership
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Why Humility?
• Humility – how I feel when I am dependent on you
because you have the power to help or hinder me
• Subordinate to Superior – easily recognizable
• Peer to peer – less visible, but at the heart of teamwork
and collaboration
• Superior to Subordinate – invisible, but key to successful
execution (everything you achieve is through the
willingness of others)
• Creates psychological safety
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Why Inquiry?
• Inquiry – an attitude of interest and curiosity; implies
desire to build relationship; shows willingness to be
vulnerable and learn; conveys concern for other
• Not leading questions – prompt desired answer
• Not rhetorical questions – don’t’ expect an answer
• Not embarrassing questions – want to expose other
• Helps us reach past our need to feel safe, smart
and in control, so we can access our ignorance
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Honest, Open Questions
• A question for which you could not possibly know
the answer
• Characteristics
• Openly accepts dependency on other for information
• When the choice is between you or me, explores from
the perspective of us/we and the relationship itself
• Elicits information and feelings
• Asks for examples to show curiosity, interest and
concern
• Invites problem-solving
• Asks for help
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Opening up conversation
• Humble inquiry does not influence either the
content of what the person has to say, nor the form
in which it is said
• No fixing, saving, advising or correcting
• “So…” (with an expectant look)
• “What’s happening?”
• “What’s going on?”
• “What brings you here?”
• “Go on…”
• “Can you give me an example”
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Paired Exercise
• Choose a partner with whom you have not
worked
• Designate Partner A and Partner B
• Partner A – 10 minutes – using a humble
inquiry approach, learn about Partner B’s
issue
• Switch and repeat
• Prepare to report out
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Thank you!
Shared
Space
