QBQ! The Question Behind the Question is a quick and easy read, packed with useful tools. John G. Miller (@QBQGuy) helps us ask QBQs—good questions that lead us away from blaming others or procrastination and toward personal accountability.

Here are my takeaways:

📝 A Question Behind the Question (QBQ) helps us make better choices in the moment. We ask QBQs of ourselves, not others, because they’re about personal accountability—correcting the “Incorrect Questions” that lead us astray.

📝 QBQs begin with “what” or “how” rather than “why,” “when,” or “who”. They contain “I” instead of “they,” “we,” or “you.” And they focus on action—OUR action, not our perception of what someone ELSE should do.

📝 In difficult situations, our first instinct is often to blame others, complain, or procrastinate. QBQs ask us “what can I do better?” or “how can I find a solution?” This helps us avoid Incorrect Questions that mislead us.

📝 Being accountable means looking for solutions rather than scapegoats. It means blaming no one—EVEN YOURSELF. If you need to evaluate your own mistakes, ask QBQs like “How can I learn from this?”

📝 QBQs keep us productive. We solve little problems while they’re still little, and stay accountable to our day-to-day work even as we plan and strategize long-term. Everyone loves new tools and better systems, but “how can I accomplish this right now?” is a better approach.

📝 The Ultimate QBQ is “How can I let go of what I can’t control?” We want perfect systems, but that leads us to procrastinate. We want others to carry more of the load, but that leads us to resentment. Let it go.

📝 Teams are successful when the team members practice personal accountability. If everyone asks “What can we do?”, there’s a danger no one is asking “What can I do?” If team members have integrity—they do what they SAY they’ll do—teams will succeed.

📝 What’s next after “Sales 101” or “Productivity 101”? NOTHING is next. Practice the fundamentals. Refine them, improve them. Learning is turning “knowing what to do into doing what you know.” “Do what you know” and do it well!

📝 Leaders practice personal accountability and provide positive contributions. They don’t say “I’ll serve you when you succeed” but, instead, “How can I serve you so you WILL succeed?” Humble QBQs are a cornerstone of leadership—and those you lead will follow your example.

There will always be times we’re tempted to cast blame or complain or procrastinate. But if we practice our QBQs, we’ll be equipped to overcome our negative instincts and embrace personal accountability instead. We’ll be easier to work with, and we’ll accomplish MUCH more!