N4L 110: "The Book of Beautiful Questions" by Warren Berger

SUMMARY A self-proclaimed “questionologist,” Warren Berger promotes the power of inquiry in his latest, “The Book of Beautiful Questions: The Powerful Questions That Will Help You Decide, Create, Connect, and Lead.” Having studied some of the world’s best innovators, leaders, and creative thinkers, he presents essential questions for making the best choices and for connecting on a deep level. As Berger himself says, “When we are confronted with almost any demanding situation, in work or in life, simply taking the time and effort to ask questions can help guide us to better decisions and a more productive course of action. But the questions must be the right ones—the ones that cut to the heart of a complex challenge or that enable us to see an old problem in a new light.” KEY POINTS Profile of a master questioner: a typically curious four-year-old girl who fearlessly asks hundreds of questions each day Fear = big obstacle to asking questions Google is limited to answering mostly close-ended, fact-based questions. Asking and answering questions can quickly build a feeling of intimacy, yet we often don’t ask questions of the people close to us. W.E. = “And what else?” (the classic follow-up question) When we ask ourselves questions we can’t answer, our minds begin to start working on them, setting things in motion, and putting us on the road to finding answers. QUOTES FROM BERGER “Increasingly, we turn to technology as a means of generating more connections. But more is not necessarily deeper—and when it comes to life-enriching connections, deeper is better. In the effort to forge deeper, more meaningful human connections, one of the great, under-appreciated tools available is the low-tech question.” “Good interviewers learn that within each answer you receive may be the seeds of the next question you should ask—a follow-up questions that dig a little deeper or tease out a few more critical details.” “Listening is not a competitive sport, though we sometimes treat it that way.” “The simplest and most powerful thing that happens when we ask ourselves questions is that it forces us to think.” BUY "The Book of Beautiful Questions: The Powerful Questions That Will Help You Decide, Create, Connect, and Lead" RECOMMENDATION Find loads more information about how to ask “A More Beautiful Question" on Warren Berger's website. Connect with us! Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Website Special thanks… Music Credit Sound Editing Credit