Product Description

Who Moved My Cheese? showed readers how to adapt to change.

Fish! helped raise flagging morale.

Execution guided readers to overcome the inability to get things done.

QBQ! The Question Behind the Question, already a phenomenon in its self-published edition, addresses the most important issue in business and society today: personal accountability.

The lack of personal accountability has resulted in an epidemic of blame, complaining, and procrastination. No organization-or individual-can achieve goals, compete in the marketplace, fulfill a vision, or develop people and teams without personal accountability.

The solution involves an entirely new approach. We can no longer ask, "Who dropped the ball?" "Why can't they do their work properly?" or "Why do we have to go through all these changes?" Instead, every individual has to ask the question behind the question: "How can I improve this situation?" "What can I contribute?" or "How can I make a difference?"

Succinct, insightful, and practical, QBQ! The Question Behind the Question provides a method for putting personal accountability into daily action, which can bring astonishing results: problems get solved, barriers come down, service improves, teamwork grows, and people adapt to change.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #672 in Books
• Published on: 2004-09-09
• Released on: 2004-09-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

Amazon.com Review
QBQ! by John G. Miller is a motivational primer aimed at purging the "blame, complaining, and procrastination" from the workplace. Miller believes that one of the hallmarks of today's business culture is a lack of personal accountability; he prescribes the cure in this series of short stories and personal observations drawn from his years of experience running his organizational development firm. His main point is that positive change begins with individuals changing themselves: "Instead of asking, 'When will others walk their talk?' let's walk our talk first." The result is choppy (39 chapters in 115 pages), and at times Miller's advice boils down to truism and cliché. Nevertheless, managers whose workplaces demand remedial, straightforward advice should find a useful tool here. --Harry C. Edwards

From Publishers Weekly
This is a quick but deep book that explores the role of personal accountability in one's work and personal life. In his own work experience, Miller found that many people look for others to blame their problems and conflicts on. He proposes that instead of asking who is to blame for the situation, we should ask, "What can I do to improve the situation?" Only by being able to ask this "question behind the question" can we take ownership of the problem and start working toward a solution. Throughout the book, Miller (who has consulted for major corporations with his firm, QBQ, Inc.) recounts real-world situations—in customer service, retail sales, personal relationships and the corporate boardroom—and the positive and not-so-positive ways they were handled. Each example reinforces the message that personal accountability and ownership of a problem not only leads to a resolution but also lifts people willing to take ownership and action above those looking to play the "blame game." From responsibility, says the author, comes leadership and greater career opportunities. In one's personal life, Miller says, ownership of conflict can also lead to enhanced relationships and greater enjoyment of daily life.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From AudioFile
This upbeat business guide instructs corporate and managerial all and sundry to accept personal responsibility in the workplace. Miller trains companies to communicate clearly and offer superior service with humor and a sense of attaining excellence. Narrating in a perky, enthusiastic lecture style, Miller guides listeners clearly and logically to attaining the much vaunted catbird seat in corporate and retail service. The titular question behind the question is a matter of looking beyond the surface of a need to its heart and delivering more, better, faster. An invigorating listen. D.J.B. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

QBQ Should Be Required Reading for Everyone!
I found QBQ through Dave Ramsey's radio program. Dave is the Financial Peace guru and author of The Total Money Makeover. I am a big Ramsey fan and I figured if QBQ was mandatory reading for his staff then it should be for me and my team as well. QBQ is a quick read and when actually put into practice can have a dramatic impact on one's personal and professional life. Unfortunately, many people will miss its profound implications because of its simplicity. The fact is, if you're like me, you have very little time to learn new concepts much less put them into practice. If so, you're going to love QBQ. This is something that is simple enough to absorb quickly and practical enough to use every day! As a VP for a large organization I cannot think of a better culture to develop than one of Personal Accountability. It's the one concept that brings everything else to life. QBQ is the real deal when it comes to making Personal Accountability a core value in your life. I would also recommend Flipping the Switch by Miller which takes QBQ even further.

Very disappointed
I heard the author on the radio and thought this would be a very good book. I was very disappointed. It is short, some chapters are one paragraph and it has large font. It has some nice thoughts, but it is way over hyped. Save your money.

Must Read for Entire Team
The QBQ is a great read for team and personal responsibility. When an organization begins to feel stressed it's time to refocus, look inward and turn the outcomes around.