The Art of Humble Inquiry

Happy sunshine - happy warm weather – happy face time with friends!
 
Several years ago I read a book by Edgar Schein, The Art of Humble Inquiry. The book has stayed with me, and I strive to follow its lessons. Today, more than ever before, the art of humble inquiry is a critical skill.
 
Humble Inquiry asks questions. We are in a culture that loves talking, loves telling. We need to learn to ask better questions because we operate in an increasingly complex, interdependent, and culturally diverse world. We couldn't possibly understand what others in the room know. Asking rather than telling invites people in. Fundamentally, asking empowers the other person and makes me vulnerable and available and, for that moment, even more approachable. 


Humble Inquiry requires authenticity. You ask questions because you genuinely are interested and curious. You can't fake this - if you are disingenuous, it will only work for a short while. 
 
Humble Inquiry is even more important when all involved parties need to do the right thing, to be connected on the same mission. In my work, especially in a political environment, good relations and reliable communication across hierarchical borders is crucial.  “Here and now" humility is our awareness that we are dependent on others to accomplish something we are committed to. 
 
And Humble Inquiry challenges me to overcome the belief that, "if you're not winning, you're losing." It takes a lot of growing to stop telling - and start asking. 
 
Steven Covey echoes a similar sentiment in his book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: “Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”
 
​See you in the trenches.
B

• The COVID-19 testing site that has been operating out of Roy Wilkins and the River Centre will be closing Thursday, May 12. A new testing site in Midway in the former Herberger's building will open on Monday (May 15). 
• COVID-19 wastewater levels, hospitalizations creeping up in Minnesota. COVID hospitalizations are rising along with infection numbers, but some involve patients with mild or asymptomatic cases. ​

• Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, fresh off an easy Senate confirmation to a second term, will speak at The Wall Street Journal's "Future of Everything" conference Tuesday at 2 p.m. He'll discuss inflation and give a wide-ranging view of the economy. Wells Fargo & Co. Chief Executive Charlie Scharf will also speak at the conference; he'll cover banking and Main Street on Tuesday at 10:10 a.m.
• Contractors: price, supply chain issues put businesses at risk. Advocates for Minnesota’s construction industry say rising costs and supply chain woes have reached crisis proportions in the state and beyond — and they’re calling on public entities to share some of the pain.
• Policy has tightened a lot. Is it enough? From the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Pres/CEO Kashkari: an important question for monetary policymakers is, What policy stance, including the current setting of the federal funds rate, the current size and composition of the Fed’s balance sheet, and the expected paths of the funds rate and balance sheet, represents “neutral”—neither stimulating nor restraining the economy?
• Inflation remained at a 40-year high in April as consumer prices rose 8.3% compared to the year-ago period, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The figures offered some hope of a slowdown in inflation when compared to the previous month's price increases of 8.5% year over year. (The Washington Post).

​Federal

• COVID funding: Senate talks over $10 billion in COVID-19 funding remain at loggerheads, with Republicans demanding a vote to reverse the Biden administration's plan to curtail the Title 42 public health order that has enabled border authorities to quickly expel migrants seeking to enter the country via asylum declaration.  What we're watching: The Senate's No. 2 and No. 3 Democrats, Majority Whip Dick Durbin of Illinois and Assistant Democratic Leader Patty Murray of Washington, appeared to open the door last week to giving Republicans what they want, but will their boss, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, come along? The stakes appear to be rising, with the White House reportedly facing the prospect of running its coronavirus response on a dwindling budget.
• The House Ways and Means Committee's oversight subcommittee will broadcast a hearing on "Taxpayer Fairness Across the IRS" on Wednesday at 10 a.m. Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles Rettig, meanwhile, will testify before the committee on Wednesday at 1 p.m. on the agency's fiscal year 2023 budget request. The SEC also has a date with the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday for its 2023 budget request.

 
State:

• Update on omnibus public safety policy and supplemental appropriation: conference committee hearings are ongoing. 
• Minnesota SF 3692: Omnibus tax bill: first conference committee hearing is Monday, May 16. 
• Who gets MN ‘hero pay’ and how unemployment tax hike will be returned to businesses.
• Final stretch at the Capitol, here's an overview of where things stand.
• Legislative leaders reach “broad framework” agreement.
• The Minnesota Senate passed their version of paid family leave but the bill's future in uncertain in the House.

 
Regional

• Met Council chair acknowledges transit rider behavior issues, says safety is top priority.
• Ramsey County offers to sell the Pond's Golf Course but its future is still in limbo.
• Will Rice Creek Commons more forward after new developments?

 
Subscribe to our weekly Chamber Advocacy Update to keep up with advocacy news.

• KICK OFF SUMMER IN ST. PAUL JUNE 3-4: The Flint Hills Family Festival, presented by the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, is back in person! This beloved family event, supported by Flint Hills Resources since 2001, will feature free and low-cost performances and activities for children of all ages. One of the largest and longest-standing events of its kind in the country, Festival attendees will be able to enjoy more than 50 free outdoor performances from more than 300 artists. This year’s Festival will also include a wide variety of food trucks, a beer garden and a free family dance party featuring the Twin Cities group NUNNABOVE on Friday, June 3. GET TICKETS: Flint Hills Family Festival.
• SBA’s Emerging Leaders Program:  T.H.R.I.V.E. Working to help small businesses to accelerate growth. Highlights include business coaching, training, mentoring, accountability.  Second Stage Growth Program is coming up, May 18.  Register here.
• 73 farmers markets to check out this summer across the Twin Cities. Map here.
• Warm weather is bringing people out! If you are looking to meet downtown St. Paul, you can see a map of downtown bars and restaurants with patios here. ​

• Record-setting quit rates are about more than just pay. Amid a historically tight labor market, a record 4.5 million Americans quit their jobs in March. Many were driven by a desire to earn a higher income, but Morning Consult data suggests that burnout is also contributing to greater attrition rates in certain industries.
• Even as businesses struggle to hire, many job seekers struggle to find work. Job seekers face multiple obstacles, requiring more employer flexibility, employment agency staff say. ​

• For the second time in less than a year, Comcast RISE will award another $1 million in grants - $10,000 each – to 100 Twin Cities small business owned by people of color or all women to help grow their businesses, create jobs, and play a vital role in supporting our communities.  I invite you to spread the Comcast RISE grant announcement to the small business you frequent and share the link on your social media platforms or newsletters to ensure as many small business owners as possible are aware of this great opportunity.  Additional information and the application can be found at ComcastRISE.com·      
  
• Startup Civic Eagle lands investment from Colin Kaepernick, Everlaw founder AJ Shankar, Menlo Park Ventures. Civic Eagle, a political technology startup, announced Wednesday it raised $10 million in Series A financing, which included an investment from former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick. 
• A recently released plan from US Bank to inject $100 billion into community impact efforts. https://www.usbank.com/about-us-bank/company-blog/article-library/us-bancorp-announces-100-billion-community-benefits-plan.html

• Arden Hills reaches deal with Alatus over TCAAP site. A long-expected redevelopment of the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant site in Arden Hills may have moved closer to reality Monday when the Arden Hills City Council approved a term sheet with master developer Alatus.
• Finance & Commerce announces top projects of 2021.  Projects honored this year include the Market at Malcolm Yards and an addition to the Center for Performing Arts; several apartment buildings, and a number of additions and renovations to schools and universities.
• What’s next for Hillcrest? Hillcrest golf course redevelopment goes to St. Paul City Council this month; Port Authority leader talks next steps for The Heights·       
  
• ​Flint Hills to build $75M solar array in Rosemount. Flint Hills Resources plans to begin construction this week of a $75 million solar installation to help power the company’s Pine Bend Refinery in Rosemount, a project that Flint Hills describes as the largest of its kind in the U.S.
• On a street called Prosperity, St. Paul developer seeks to cluster tiny homes for homeless vets. St. Paul developer Jamie Stolpestad is dreaming of installing six prefabricated homes for homeless military veterans. His plans for a “veterans village” took a step closer to reality on Wednesday when the St. Paul City Council, acting as the city’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority, approved sale of a sizable parcel of land at 1381 Prosperity Ave. to YardHomes, Stolpestad’s relatively new “tiny homes”-oriented real estate venture. The site sits south of Arlington Avenue and a few blocks east of Lake Phalen.​​