Name: Scott Wilson's review of A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger
Item: A More Beautiful Question
Rating: 5
Author: Scott Wilson

Warren Berger

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 Airbnb to show how questioning is baked into their organizational DNA. He also shares inspiring stories of artists, teachers, entrepreneurs, basement tinkerers, and social activists who changed their lives and the world around them--by starting with a "beautiful question."

The Power of Inquiry to Spark Breakthrough Ideas

A More Beautiful Question

To get the best answer-in business, in life-you have to ask the best possible question. Innovation expert Warren Berger shows that ability is both an art and a science. It may be the most underappreciated tool at our disposal, one we learn to use well in infancy-and then abandon as we grow older. Critical to learning, innovation, success, even to happiness-yet often discouraged in our schools and workplaces-it can unlock new business opportunities and reinvent industries, spark creative insights at many levels, and provide a transformative new outlook on life. It is the ability to question-and to do so deeply, imaginatively, and “beautifully.” In this fascinating exploration of the surprising power of questioning, innovation expert Warren Berger reveals that powerhouse businesses like Google, Nike, and Netflix, as well as hot Silicon Valley startups like Pandora and Airbnb, are fueled by the ability to ask fundamental, game-changing questions. But Berger also shares human stories of people using questioning to solve everyday problems-from “How can I adapt my career in a time of constant change?” to “How can I step back from the daily rush and figure out what really makes me happy?” By showing how to approach questioning with an open, curious mind and a willingness to work through a series of “Why,” “What if,” and “How” queries, Berger offers an inspiring framework of how we can all arrive at better solutions, fresh possibilities, and greater success in business and life.

Makes me wonder... Is knowing how to re-wire a plug a good indicator of inquisitiveness? That you were raised to assume that something that's broken is an opportunity to fix rather than something that needs replaced.

If so, what might that say for social mobility and for gender norms. Would you more likely teach a son or a daughter how to be handy?

Brian

But Christen thinks it's also important to encourage kids to solve problems in a hands-on way, via challenging household tasks and chores. That worked for IDEO cofounder David Kelley. His career as a problem-solving designer was forged in a childhood home where "if the washing machine broke, you went and tried to make a new part to fix it."

Mary Carmona

This all comprises the first stage of innovative questioning first confronting, formulating, and framing the initial question that articulates the challenge at hand, and trying to gain some understanding of context.

What is the agenda behind this information? How current is it? How does it connect with other information I'm finding? 

• What trends are having the most impact on my feld a how is that likely to play out over the next few years?

• Which of my existing skills are most useful and adaptable in this new environnement—and what new ones do I need to add?

• Should I diversify more—or focus on specializing in one area?

• Should I be thinking more in terms of finding a job—or creating one? 

Why cant they make a better foot? To do this, he had to make a change of pronouns: Specifically, he had to replace they with I. 

A beautiful question is an ambitious yet actionable question that can begin to shift the way we perceive or think about something—and that might serve as a catalyst to bring about change.

James Paden

Scott Wilson

WOW! This was the best book I read in 2014! I have already bought three more copies to give to friends, and plan to buy some more to give to my child's teachers. This book provides a framework for coming up with powerful questions that have the ability to make improvements in your life and business. It was extremely well laid out and I really thought the index at the rear of the book was super interesting in that it provided an index of questions as well as topics! Well done! 

There are lots of real life examples given and the flow of the book is quite easy in that I had about 3/4 of the book finished in one - two hour flight.

This book is definitely on my re-read list for 2015.

Adam

Focusing more on getting back to our roots on asking questions than about a specific question, "A More Beautiful Question" focuses around how to return to place where we question the world around us. From an early age we're asking questions about everything around us, but somehow we stop doing that. I enjoyed the very "growth mindset" approach to questioning, but many of the examples given were more focused around innovating and entrepreneurship than more practical examples.

Omar

The thesis of the book is simple: most of us are never trained to question, which hinders our ability to creatively identify and solve problems. In fact, we are often taught not to question. Seeking greater efficiency, management often asked employees to do their job quickly and not stop to think or question. This may have worked well in certain industries, but carrying that same thinking into companies looking for disruptive and innovative solutions is a disservice. 

A More Beautiful Question is a well-researched book that is both informative and inspiring. I read it once and think I could benefit from reading it a few more times as I practice and get comfortable asking questions. Many of the childhood fears of asking a stupid question carry into adulthood - I can recall the many times I didn't raise my hand in lecture since I was afraid to ask a question to a professor. It's often counterproductive to let that fear stop me and my teammates from helping each other improve our thinking through well-thought out questions.

Lance Willett

I love the wide range across topics, people, industries because the range itself invites inquiry.

The frequent sidebars with "live" questions propelled me to frequently put the book down and go dive into my own research. Good for curious minds, bad for finishing the book cover to cover.

Highly recommended as a way to spark your own questions and clear out the mental cobwebs that come with habits, age, and laziness.

Hat tip: Anne Forbush.

(Read from local library again in August 2019.)

James Paden &
A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger

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James Paden &A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger

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Join the club

James Paden &
A More Beautiful Question by Warren Berger