QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life

by John G. Miller

Book Overview

This is a quick but deep book that explores the role of personal accountability in one's work and personal life. In his own work experience, Miller found that many people look for others to blame... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399152334
• Release Date: September 2004
• Publisher: TarcherPerigee
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.5" x 0.7" x 5.7"

Customer Reviews

excellent product

i really love it this product.... and i tried to implant every day in the company

Another great simple book with high impact

This book was recommended to me by a new friend Rini from BP, and i love it. I read it just in a two hours flight ( i am not a fast reader!), finishing it right when the plane landed, and i kind of feel very motivated and enpowered! In the simple similar tradition of One Minute Manager, Fish, and other simple to read business book, this one has one great idea about how we should ask questions. In a nutshell: 1. Begin with "WHAT" or "HOW", and not "Why", "When, or "Who". 2. Contain an "I" 3. Focus on Action. So, instead of: " When are we going to be more competitive?", use: " What can i do today to be more effective?". Or, instead of " Who will care as much as I do?", use "How can I communicate better?" QBQ is a simple powerful technique that will improve the way you see life. John Miller has a whole organisation build into training it. Even that the way they write is way different, i would like to compare the idea of QBQ as such similar power with One Minute Manager. It's easy to teach, easy to implement, and have great return if people start using it. So, for 2 hours easy reading that might change your life for the better, you have nothing to lose, get a copy.

A subtle change in language makes a big difference

This was a fascinating read because, as other reviewers have said, the change that comes over you when you read this book is gradual but decisive. It is true that a change in the language used often coincides with a change in attitude and action, and it was so with this book. I found as I read furthur on, I recognized myself in the negative questions or comments posed, and when I thought about what I could say differently to pose the questions or comments usefully rather than complainingly, I had trouble rephrasing them myself, but then said "Aha!" as I read the author's suggestions. This is almost more of a New Age/ self-help book than a business book in some ways, because it is working to subtly change the way you pose questions to yourself. If you find yourself feeling powerless in any part of your life, I'd recommend this book as a way of taking positive action and taking charge of your reactions to the world.

Includes some useful tools for success

In The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability in Business and in Life, John G. Miller presents an alternative way to look at our problems (or challenges) and encourages us to ask different, but better questions about them. Miller starts off by illustrating incorrect questions (IQ's). IQ's focus on things or people outside or external to us. Some examples might be "When will he learn to manage better?", "Why can't they see my point-of-view?", "Why can't they hire better workers?". IQ's tend to sap our energy and deflate our spirit.IQ's do, however, seem to come naturally, perhaps as a result of human nature. Miller often asks groups of people what's the one thing they would like to change in their organizations. The answers always follow the external P's: that is, change the policies, procedures, prices, and other people. "Nobody ever says me." As an example, look at the following questions and see what is the first response that comes to mind.-A poor subordinate blames the _____.-A poor executive blames the _____.-A poor driver blames the _____.Although these thoughts or questions may be natural, they lead us into blame, complaining, and procrastination. Miller's solution is to discipline our thoughts and to look behind our initial questions to come up with better questions-or, as he terms it, the question behind the question (QBQ). These are Miller's three guiding principles for better questions or QBQ's. Better questions:1. "Begin with what or how (not why, when or who)."2. "Contain I (not they, we, or you)."3. "Focus on action."A perfect example of a QBQ is "What can I do right now?" The essence of the QBQ system is that "the answers are in the questions". If you ask the right question you can make positive moves toward achievement and a rewarding life. The book concludes with a list of lousy questions and the better QBQ's or questions behind the questions. A brief sample follows.The sales department:"When are we going to get some new products?""Why can't we get better customer service support?"QBQ's:"How can I add value for my customers?"The management:"Why aren't my workers more motivated?""Why do they keep making the same mistakes?"QBQ's:"What can I do to help them do their job better?"To summarize, "The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability in Business and Life" presents some basic, yet powerful ideas about creating a more rewarding and fulfilling life.

Easy & Effective!

GREAT book! QBQ (the question behind the question) isn't a blame book, or a self-flagellation book either! As irritating as work can be at times, when blow-ups occur, this book gives you the tools to work thru these headaches, and dismiss the whining that can accompany tough situations. Similar in speed and impact to 'Who Moved My Cheese?' this book will stick with you long after you pass it on. And remember pass it on because you like it, not because you think others need it!