Humble Leadership: The Power of Relationships, Openness, and Trust

Edgar H. Schein · Peter A. Schein

Aug 2018 · Berrett-Koehler Audio · Narrated by Tom Dheere

About this audiobook

The more traditional forms of leadership that are based on static hierarchies and professional distance between leaders and followers are growing increasingly outdated and ineffective. As organizations face more complex interdependent tasks, leadership must become more personal in order to insure open trusting communication that will make more collaborative problem solving and innovation possible. Without open and trusting communications throughout organizations, they will continue to face the productivity and quality problems that result from reward systems that emphasize individual competition and “climbing the corporate ladder”. Authors Edgar Schein and Peter Schein recognize this reality and call for a reimagined form of leadership that coincides with emerging trends of relationship building, complex group work, diverse workforces, and cultures in which everyone feels psychologically safe. Humble Leadership calls for “here and now” humility based on a deeper understanding of the constantly evolving complexities of interpersonal, group and intergroup relationships that require shifting our focus towards the process of group dynamics and collaboration. Humble Leadership at all levels and in all working groups will be the key to achieving the creativity, adaptiveness, and agility that organizations will need to survive and grow.

Ratings and reviews

If you are an Introverted sensing kinda person don't waste your time with this book, you are already doing most of what this book recommends. It is most trying to convince old fashioned or directive leaders to change their ways.

About the author

Edgar H. Schein is professor emeritus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management.

Peter A. Schein is the cofounder and COO of the Organizational Culture and Leadership Institute.