Book Review: QBQ! The Question Behind the Question
I’m a big fan of Dave Ramsey and his teachings. I listen to his radio show on a daily basis, and I heard one day he has a list of books he requires all team members to read when he hires them. QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John Miller is one such book. It is a short read but it carries a powerful message about personal accountability, not only to other people, but more importantly yourself.
I read the entire book during lunch with time to spare, so it took less than an hour to read. At first I thought this was a bad thing that devalued the book in my mind, but the more I thought about it my view changed. The shortness and simplicity is what drives the message home and makes it available to a broader audience. If it was a long and drawn out book, most people would probably drop it after the first chapter or two.
The premise of the book is that there are a couple of ways of thinking about a problem. The incorrect way is to be a victim. “Why can’t the corporate office give us better sales materials?” This question makes the asker believe they are a victim. A better question would be to ask “What can I do to make the best use of the materials provided?” This question empowers the asker and doesn’t pass the blame off to another person.
If you’re interested in reading a book that may challenge the way you think, check QBQ! out.