11/22/2008

QBQ - The Question Behind the Question. By John G. Miller

Every now and then you come across a book that makes its point really well. QBQ (2005, Penguin) is one such book every organisation should gift each employee.

I've often fallen trap to feeling helpless and blaming circumstances for things gone wrong. Here's a readable & racy book that makes a case for stopping the 'victim' mentality and provides insights to 'fly the plane differently' when the engine shuts down on you.

It's all about asking the right questions and personal accountability! ''What can I do today to solve the problem?"

One of my favorite anecdotes from the book is about beating the ref. In sports as in life we often have situations where things seemingly out of our control prevent us from achieving our goals. Like a match referee who makes a couple of questionable calls against you. ''It doesn't matter how close the match is... If you want to win, you must be good enough to beat the ref". You must work to become so good that you succeed in the face of all odds - be the unquestionable victor, not the victim!

Miller exhorts you to be a leader, a person with integrity, and an agent of change. And above all, start with yourself.