QBQ! The Question Behind the Question

About the Author

John G. Miller is an accomplished author and consultant with a rich background in organizational development. As the founder of QBQ, Inc., based in Colorado, Miller has dedicated his career to helping individuals and organizations achieve exceptional results through personal accountability. With decades of experience in training and speaking, he has a deep understanding of the challenges faced by businesses and individuals alike. His works, including "Flipping the Switch: Unleashing the Power of Personal Accountability" and "Outstanding! 47 Ways to Make Your Organization Exceptional," are centered around the idea of taking responsibility for one’s actions and decisions.

Main Idea

The main idea of "QBQ! The Question Behind the Question" is that personal accountability is the key to overcoming challenges, achieving success, and fostering a positive, productive environment. Miller argues that negative questions like "Why is this happening to me?" or "Who is to blame?" lead to blame, complaining, and procrastination. Instead, he introduces the concept of the Question Behind the Question (QBQ), which encourages individuals to ask questions that focus on personal action and responsibility. This shift in mindset transforms challenges into opportunities for growth and improvement, both personally and organizationally.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Concept of QBQ
3. Why Ask QBQs?
4. How to Formulate QBQs
5. Common Incorrect Questions (IQs)
6. The Role of Accountability in Leadership
7. Practical Applications of QBQ
8. The Power of Personal Accountability
9. Conclusion: Living the QBQ

Introduction

The introduction of the book sets the stage by highlighting a pervasive issue in many organizations and individual lives: the lack of personal accountability. Miller emphasizes that blame, complaining, and procrastination are rampant and hinder progress. He introduces the QBQ as a tool to combat these negative behaviors by encouraging people to ask better, more constructive questions. This approach is designed to shift the focus from external factors to internal ones, thereby empowering individuals to take control of their circumstances and make meaningful changes.

The Concept of QBQ

The concept of QBQ is the cornerstone of Miller's philosophy. He defines a QBQ as a question that focuses on what one can do to improve a situation, rather than assigning blame or waiting for others to act. The core idea is that by changing the questions we ask ourselves, we can change our mindset and behavior. Miller writes,

"The answers are in the questions. If we ask better questions, we get better answers." — John G. Miller

This concept encourages individuals to take responsibility for their actions and to seek solutions rather than dwelling on problems. The QBQ framework is built on three main guidelines: