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

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I just re-read it again this morning in thirty minutes and I truly would wish this experience on everyone. It is a fantastic reminder that I can make a tremendous different in the world, by focusing on the difference I need to make in me. The purpose of this workbook is to encourage true learning beyond reading QBQ! The Question Behind the Question®. In a nutshell, the QBQ® is a tool that helps each individual ask better questions so that he or she can practice personal accountability in all areas of life. T his QBQ! Workbook was inspired by the book QBQ!® and the principles taught in it. It is our hope that you will read the QBQ! book and then work through this study guide as a means to better absorb and apply the life-changing content in QBQ! More than a fad, slogan, or catchphrase, the QBQ is a tool that can sharpen our focus, reenergize our tired routines, and lead to bold improvements in work and life. From the bestselling author of QBQ! The Question Behind the Question comes a workbook to help you on your journey to embrace personal accountability. When we ask better questions, we get better answers. The QBQ guidelines show us how to build better questions and which questions to avoid. Also, it's important to remember that these are questions we ask of ourselves, not of others. The QBQ is primar-ily a self-management tool, designed to help us re-frame our own thinking. My first thought was Hire this man! Talk about going the extra mile! He was clearly not your average employee. And the more I thought about the outstanding thing he’d just done, the more I wanted to talk to him. So as soon as I could get his attention, I waved him over.

I just thought if I had some way to study your material further," David replied, "I could apply it even better!" Immediately, my wife took notice. She'd make a suggestion, preparing for the worst, and I'd thank her. She was stunned. It is no small wonder that John G. Miller's books sells in quantity - as soon as you finish reading it, you realize the power behind the subtle shift in how you view the world - and now, everyone you know can benefit from this understanding too! Once you read this book, you will want to buy a copy for every one you know.Incorrect Questions (IQs) are the "why," "when," and "who" questions that lead to victim thinking, procrastination, and blame. Contrasting QBQs with IQs is an excellent way to learn how to put the QBQ into action. Let's take a look at the following IQ/QBQ comparisons: Leadership has nothing to do with our title, position, tenure, or "span of control" and everything to do with the way we think. By bringing responsibility, ownership, and action to life, the QBQ helps each of us think-and act-like a leader. This book will help each of us learn to recognize and ask better questions. And just to be clear, QBQs are questions we generally ask ourselves, not others. They are rarely questions we speak out loud to colleagues, customers, family, and friends— but rather ones we think in our own mind.

As I left that day, I gave him a good tip, as anyone would have, bouncing my quarters across the bar. (Just kidding. It was the excellent tip he had earned.) And when I returned a couple of months later and asked for “my favorite server, Jacob Miller” (I love his last name), the hostess said, “I’m sorry, sir, Jacob is no longer . . .” For a complete exploration of the QBQ, I encourage you to read QBQ! The Question Behind the Question.My thoughts flew fast. NO! You lost my favorite server? You lost a guy who looked at me and asked himself, “What can I do right now to serve my customer?”I just couldn’t believe they had let him get away. The first QBQ guideline says all QBQs begin with “What” or “How,” not “Why,”“When,” or “Who.” Take another look at the “Why?” questions at the beginning of the chapter and consider what would happen if we asked these instead: While in the airport waiting on my flight I stumbled across this small book and thought it looked like an interesting read. I snagged it from the bookstore and soon was settled into my seat waiting to take off. I started reading it and within an hour had finished it. Instead of, "Who dropped the ball?" "Why do they keep messing up?" or "Why do we have to go through all these changes?" you will begin to ask, "How can I improve this situation?" "What can I contribute?" and "How can I make a difference?"