The message itself has some value, but the book over-promises on its usefulness and under-delivers on how to actually use it. The QBQ is a tool that helps leaders at all levels practice personal accountability by asking better questions and making better choices in the moment.

At QBQ, Inc., we exist to help you, the QBQ! reader and learner, as well as our customer, apply the QBQ! material at work and home. So, please, never hesitate to reach out to us. Ineffective anecdotes. None of the anecdotes correlate directly to the message. None of the anecdotes are of people using the QBQ method. To better understand the meaning and power of the QBQ, let's start by defining it. Then we will briefly explore key words contained within the definition. So it's these five principles-Learning, Ownership, Creativity, Service, and Trust-that give us a tremendous advantage in our lives, but not without practicing personal accountability. And the QBQ helps us do just that.

I recently left the company I had been working for the last twelve years and the awesome team I had cultivated there. Going into a new company and new culture was a little scary and I wasn't sure what to expect. In some ways the company culture is better and in some ways it was worse. There are always trade offs right, but starting with a new team I found there were a few people in it that played the blame game actively and while some statements made might be true they weren't productive to getting work done. Blame and "whodunit" questions solve nothing. They create fear, destroy creativity and build walls. Instead of brainstorming and working together to get things done, we blame-storm and accomplish nothing. There's not a chance we'll reach our full potential until we stop blaming each other and start practicing personal accountability. A tool is something we can use to help us-in the moment-perform at higher levels. Organizations have wasted billions of dollars on so-called tools that are really only motivational sessions, platitudes, and great-sounding fads. But when we get pumped up in our meetings, rallies, and seminars, and then have to go out to do our jobs-something happens: We hit the "wall of reality." We think, What I heard in training sounded good, but it's not working for me in the real world. In other words, it's not practical. And if it's not practical, it's not much of a tool. Following a presentation I made to a travel company some years ago, a young man named David came up to me and asked, "Mr. Miller, have you written any books?" Instead, whether he used the words or not, his actions clearly indicated accountable thinking such as What can I do to help out? and How can I provide more value? His choices made the difference.

This book seems like it would be best for a passive-aggressive manager to give to his employees to read so that he doesn't have to spend time training them. Unfortunately, though, they’re often the first thoughts that come to mind. It’s a sad fact that when most of us are faced with a frustration or challenge of some kind, our initial reaction tends to be negative and defensive, and the first questions that occur to us are IQs.

every day ask yourself How Can I do My Job Better Today? What Can I Do to Improve the Situation? How Can I Support Others? A tool that enables individuals to practice personal accountability by making better choices in the moment. This book was required reading at a large retail department store chain, where I worked,when it was taken over by new management. "QBQ" became our new mantra and managers were constantly hounding us to answer the "Question Behind the Question." It's certainly light reading and not much of a challenge intellectually; it does make suggestions that encourage excellent customer service - there is nothing wrong with that, but...the overall premise, that there are no limits to providing such service, is questionable. I believe in civility and respect when dealing with customers, helping them with their needs and making the process as satisfactory as possible, but I also believe that stopping at nothing to give the customer what he/she wants is the best way to create a monster. Customers become arrogant,rude, crazy with power and an attitude that they are entitled to satisfaction at any cost (a cost not to borne by them of course); once you give them what they want, they want - no demand - more. Sorry, I'm going off on a tangent here, but I think books that espouse philosophies such as this book does are actually dangerous.

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. In his bestselling book QBQ! The Question Behind the Question, John G. Miller revealed how personal accountability helps to create opportunity, overcome obstacles, and achieve goals by eliminating blame, complaining, and procrastination. The result? Stronger organizations, more dynamic teams, and healthier relationships. On the home front, I have a 9-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son, and I have been preaching the concept of personal accountability to them for a couple of years now. We have always had great kids who listen to their parents and care, but it's definitely taken it to another level. They solve their own problems (well, most of the time) but they own their choices and consequences. I was proud when my daughter was selected as the award recipient in her class for, you guessed it, ownership. As for my son, a funny moment happened yesterday. After letting our dog out of her room for being in doggy timeout, my son promptly told our dog, "Maya, it's your choice if you want to be good or bad." Couldn't have said it better myself. 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:i decided to continue on and though i learned a lot and think what he's trying to teach people is great (but i still think he shouldn't have used that example!) The QBQ is different. It's practical and it works. What makes it work are three easy-to-apply guidelines that show us how to construct effective questions: