Name: A More Beautiful Question
ISBN: 9781632861054

A More Beautiful Question

In this groundbreaking book, journalist and innovation expert Warren Berger shows that one of the most powerful forces for igniting change in business and in our daily lives is a simple, under-appreciated tool--one that has been available to us since childhood. Questioning--deeply, imaginatively, "beautifully"--can help us identify and solve problems, come up with game-changing ideas, and pursue fresh opportunities. So why are we often reluctant to ask "Why?" Berger's surprising findings reveal that even though children start out asking hundreds of questions a day, questioning "falls off a cliff" as kids enter school. In an education and business culture devised to reward rote answers over challenging inquiry, questioning isn't encouraged--and, in fact, is sometimes barely tolerated. And yet, as Berger shows, the most creative, successful people tend to be expert questioners. They've mastered the art of inquiry, raising questions no one else is asking--and finding powerful answers. The author takes us inside red-hot businesses like Google, Netflix, IDEO, and Airbnbto show how questioning is baked into their organizational DNA.

What Hacker News says

victor106Jan 2019

I keep realizing that asking good questions is a truly important skill in any profession and any situation.

Couple of books I found useful :-

A more beautiful question - Warren Berger Power Questions - Andrew Sobel Secrets of Question Based Selling - Thomas Freese.

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ZainRizDec 2018

I wouldn't say it comes naturally. It comes from noticing points of confusion in the world and making an effort to ask the big Why? question.

And then refining your question to arrive at a different question, which may be a better question.

E.g. Why is my father in law so difficult to get along with -> Is my father in law difficult to get along with? Well, he gets along just fine with others... -> Why is it so hard for my father in law to get along with me? What is different about our dynamic?

One question leads you to the next, but you have to put some effort into the process.

An excellent book on the topic: A More Beautiful Question https://www.amazon.com/More-Beautiful-Question-Inquiry-Break...

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himynameisdomNov 2018

I was in your boat not too long ago (honestly, I'm still there but it's become better), and I realized a simple, yet effective way to interact with people without having to a.) talk as much and b.) put your opinions out there for a possible anxiety-inducing interaction.

It really came down to asking good questions. This allows people to help clarify themselves to you without you having to talk too much. It also builds your listening skills, which is probably one of the more important interpersonal skills you can attain. If you ask good questions, people will seek you out. Win-win for your interpersonal and professional goals.

As for resources, I recommend A More Beautiful Question: The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Idea. It's a great book with actionable items to help you ask people questions they don't normally hear, which will help people not only understand you better, but help you understand them better. In the end I wouldn't be surprised if this book helps you help other people flesh out their ideas, desires and needs.

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m52goOct 2014

> The most important process underlying strokes of creative genius is the tendency to pay attention to things that normally should be ignored or filtered out.

I'd add that it's not only paying attention to these things, but questioning them.

Noticing something no one else does is useless unless it incites action. Deciding to act upon something can only happen if there's sufficient curiosity. Curiosity comes from questions. Why? What if? How might one...?

Questions are so fundamental to everything from creativity to innovation, management, sales, relationships...I just had my eyes opened by A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger.

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