Customer Reviews

Ask The Right Question

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Finally, a guide that provides valuable information that can be utilized in both your professional and personal life. ...you can start on the road to effective and successful communication techniques by "Asking the Right Question." Rupert Eales-White takes you through a journey of real life situations and demonstrates what seems to be a very simple and logical technique to handle almost any type of situation. Rupert Eales-White illustrates conversations that are ineffective and effective by using open-end and closed questions between a mother and teenage daughter, manager and subordinate. He shows that using the right approach, attitude, and effective listening skills will help maintain a quality conversation. He states "If we can identify poor listening in ourselves, we can improve. If we identify poor listening in others, we can rectify the situation." If you don't have good listening skills you won't be able to ask good questions or the right ones. Who knew that there is a madness to asking the right question. Rupert Eales-White proves those thinking questions through and good practice will provide you with positive results every time. Through the strategies and techniques demonstrated in this guide it will become a way of life for you. There is no doubt that using this guide will only get you what you want in any situation. Your communication skills will improve and soon your personal relationships will only blossom, your working relationships will be enhanced and you will get the confidence to meet any goals that you had been prolonging. Rupert Eales-White, "Ask The Right Question! How to Get What You Want Every Time and in Any Situation" is highly recommended and should be on your "Must Read" list.

Author Rupert Eales-White emphasizes the importance of using active listening, focusing on a particular subject, and asking good open-ended questions to get productive results from interviews and conversations. He mixes a few examples with specific how-to principles outlining ways to structure effective conversations. This generally solid book has the feel of a textbook. Some readers may find it too structured or basic, since the author breaks down conversations into sentences with some detail. The book's approach may be more appropriate in organizational cultures where people prefer a focused style of questioning. Those who prefer a more informal, casual conversational style may find his approach less suitable. We at getAbstract.com recommend this book to human resource professionals, to those facing critical interviews, and to those who wish to think strategically about their conversational, information-gathering, or persuasive skills.

"Ask the Right Question! How to Get What You Want Every Time and In Any Situation" is an easy to read as well as enlightening book. It produces factual events, dialogues and explains what is effective or ineffective in how conversations are presented. Rupert Eales-White starts his book establishing that a good conversation is a planned conversation. If a person knows what their goal is in the conversation, they can ensure that the question is geared to achieving that goal. He points out that people must consciously and deliberately focus on the other person to know what to ask, when, and how often. His do's and don'ts on effective questioning are especially helpful. Demonstrates how to be effectively persuasive by setting up key strategies and exemplifying them in conversation. Dynamically coaches the reader on how to reach mutuality of people with different views and goals. Illustrates how to deal with conflict and provides tools to assist the reader in resolution of the conflicts. There are diagrams on how to set up an effective meeting, by careful planning, order, and understanding needs and common ground. An especially informative section was how to develop relationships. Focusing on how to talk to a boss, how a boss should talk with a subordinate, how to conduct an interview, and how to delight your client. Introducing you to the "discover kings" what, why, and how to generate open dialogues, resolve issues, solve problems, or seize opportunities. Offers tips on how to become more creative while harnessing the power of group discovery. Using a simple and concise style of showing the normal way in which most conversations go with a teenager, to asking the right kind of open question in order to elicit a response that is thought out. The open question being the key. The author focuses on teaching effective questioning skills as the key to improved communications and persuasion in many situations. Listening skills, context and concept development and approach formation are also reviewed for their benefits in achieving optimal communications. Suggestions are written in easy to read format that most people will be comfortable using, with many easy to understand examples or situations most of which we can relate a similar situation to. I highly recommend "Ask The Right Question - How to Get What You Want Every Time and In Any Situation" to everyone. Even if you think you communicate very well, I am sure there is still something beneficial to be learned from this book.

You are in a business meeting and the right thing to say or do just doesn't come to you. You are contracting work on your home, or you are driving your teenager to school in a too quiet car. You ask questions that produce one word answers or the wrong answers. You have a conversation in which you say all the things you feel will bring about a desired outcome, but you do not get the results you seek. Everyone has experienced these types of situations at some time, everyone has often sensed that a slightly different approach might be better. Rupert Eales-White, in his book "Ask The Right Question: How to Get What you Want Every Time and in Any Situation," provides an informative reference for anyone who wants to improve their business or personal relationships. The author focuses on teaching effective questioning skills as the key to improved communications and persuasion in many situations. Listening skills, context and concept development and approach formation are also reviewed for their benefits in achieving optimal communications. The book also promotes assertiveness traits that maximize communications and demonstrates the importance of creative thinking. The author includes exercises designed to sharpen both assertivness skills and creative thinking adeptness. Eales-White's book is a good sense guide that uses real life situations and conversations from business and personal settings in its analysis. The strategies that are recommended seem reasonable and user friendly. Eales-White's suggestions are written in language that most people will be comfortable using, unlike some books that suggest saying and doing things that average people find foreign and uncomfortable. The author uses typical problems and dialogues from actual situations. Eales-White compares unsuccessful communications to those improved by using his effective questioning and listening skills to demonstrate the changes in outcomes that can be achieved by using the strategies in his book. This book is well rounded, touching on ideas that enhance business relationships with the boss, subordinates and clients, as well as personal relationships. The author even supplies techniques that enrich the interview process and that refine the running of productive meetings. Eales-White's suggestions may indeed produce the information and cooperation needed to effectively manage every business and personal relationship, and is a sensible book that managers at every level should add to their collection.

I read this book to fulfill my reading assignments in my speech class. I figured, out of the five books to choose from this would probably help me the most with my job. As it turns out, I can benefit a great deal from all the communicating tips and techniques Mr. Eales-White covers in this book. Some of it is common sense, but don't we all know intelligent people who do not have any common sense at all? This book can help the average person achieve confidence and satisfaction in dealing with everyday relationships. He instructs you through the proper way of listening and questioning by giving you examples of conversations that are effective and ineffective. I was impressed with the way he introduces the right context, the best attitude and the right approach to good communication skills. He also gives you tips on how to become more creative, assertive and persuasive in dealing with others. If you can achieve this, you can make things happen your way. Mr. Eales-White includes various conversations and proper procedures to handle each type of situation. Because the human race is such a complicated and emotional race there is a right way and a wrong way to deal with people. I have been in the work force for about twenty years, and I wish I had read this book sooner because it would definitely given me a boost in my self confidence. In addition, he also gives you case scenarios in every chapter and guides you through the proper positive way of dealing with every day social situations. With effective communication you can encourage a highly volatile negative person into doing something positive. This book covers those key skills necessary to survive the relationships with your boss, your clients, and your subordinates. It explains how to take control of an explosive situation, how to pull information out of people, and how to be positively aggressive and persuasive in any type of meeting or conversation. In my opinion, Eales-Whites book is a great self help book for the average person to develop effective listening and communications skills. His ideas should be taught in a college class setting or as part of an inservice training at work.

Perhaps part of my disappointment stems from the fact that I was really looking forward to reading this book, which mostly was based on the great reviews on here. As I began reading, I found the author's style to be annoying and difficult to read, and some of the example conversations were ridiculously simplistic. Some of the material is beneficial, but that is a very minimal part of the book. It appears the author has quite the fan club on here with all the rave reviews. They must like the person rather than the book itself.

Why is it that all seven of the previous reviews(and the only ones) have been written by people (or a person) in Florida? Why are all the reviews generally long and the same size? Why are almost all the reviews written within a three month period, most one day after another one, when the book has been out for more than 2 years? My guess is that someone who has money to make from this book has done this. Who knows how good this book actually is? I wish bozos wouldn't flood the reviews like this. I for one am not going to purchase this book!

In this book, Rupert Eales-White shows tips and techniques of how to effectively use questions to bring about your desired effects. Primarily designed for corporate managers, he demonstrates the use of asking simple questions of what, who, why, when, where, and how in order to "... seize opportunities, reduce resistance, bridge gaps in perception, meet your goals, encourage mutuality" and "create partnerships". Overall, the book points out things that all of us know. By asking what, who, why, when, where, and how, we know we will get more answers to our questions. Whether we wanted to or not. The best plus comes with the simple ways in which the author explains the uses. Simple and direct. Though, he does tend to always talk in a passive voice, something to which we, in the military, are taught not to do (wastes time and space). But, it is more pleasant and less threatening, especially when talking to one's boss. Part one deals with the question, "What is the right question?" He effectively brings the reader from a known environment, at home trying to talk to a teenager, to the unknown, the corporate setting. Rupert uses a simple and concise style of showing the normal way in which most conversations go with a teenager, to asking the right kind of open question in order to elicit a response beyond, "I dunno'." The "open" question being the key. And, most important, Rupert finally divulges the secret way in which to get ice off of over a 1,000 miles of telephone poles. Hint: It does not include the use of bears. Part one is so insanely simple, you will be beating your head with the palm of your hand saying, "Oh, yea! Duh...". It also goes beyond just asking a verbal question, but how to approach the listening aspect of conversations, too. Including effective body language and facial expressions. Plus, the all-important, always pregnant, and very difficult to work with and around, a moment of silence. Rupert shows that silence does not always have to be a bad thing but can be used effectively as a weapon. "As Mozart said: `Silence is the most profound sound in music.'" Very cunning, indeed, Mr. Eales-White. Part Two show the ways to develop key skills (that is what part two is called) and begins with "What Assertiveness Means". Though this seemed to be a shy bit on the wimpy side of definitions for assertive, it should make an assertive person feel better. But, the most valuable tidbit comes from using the assertive pause technique. A way of using silence as a weapon, a pause to collect yourself before pounding on a victim. Part Two is also where the author starts touting the beginnings of Total Quality Management (TQM) and its main points of "win/win" situations. In Part Three, Rupert goes into "Developing Key Relationships". A better title would probably be "How Not To Piss-Off Your Boss/Co-Workers". This is where the author takes you through simple counseling techniques and inter-office political strategies so that you will be aware of all of our petty jealousies and insecurities. Part Three is also the TQM banner waving chapter. Now, don't get me wrong, I am in favor of TQM and have promoted it in the military where it is applicable. But, Rupert uses the basis of TQM as his own style of dealing with your relationship with your boss and his/her boss. Though, he does do it in the same simple and concise style as the rest of the book, and if you don't know what TQM is about, this is a simple introduction. But, for the more advance, just use it as a brush up as how to keep your boss/co-workers informed and up-to-date. Mr. Eales-White does a fine job of taking something we all take for granted and never use and effectively bringing it to the forefront of our minds. After reading just a few pages of part one, I was easily able to translate what was being said and put it into practice immediately. At first, it takes just a casual moment to see the opportunity and, using the passive voice the author favors, I was able to stimulate conversation and exploration with just two questions, why not and how? As the author says, "The heart of this book has been how to use the right open questions in the right way in the right order to promote discovery and thereby create an effective relationship that leads to positive action..." I agree Mr. Eales-White.

"Ask The Right Question! How to Get What You Want Every Time and in Any Situation"is an easy to read book with large print to further incorporate easy reading. It produces factual events, dialogues and explains what is effective or ineffective in how conversations are presented. Seeing situations as they unfold makes it easy for the reader to understand and accept the point the author is trying put across. The point which is in the title is if you ask the right questions you will always come out on top. He starts his book establishing that a good conversation is a planned conversation. If a person knows what his goal is in the conversation, he can ensure that his questions are geared to achieving that goal. He points out that people must consciously and deliberately focus on the other person to know what to ask, when, and how often. His Do's and Don'ts on effective questioning are especially helpful. A powerful suggestion in this book is to use a what, why, when, where, and how procedure to accomplish overall desires. He demonstrated when to utilize it and how it can be a powerful tool in communication. In this book, he even teaches readers how to be more creative in their thinking when brainstorming for solutions to company issues and bringing the creativity out of others. He also demonstrates how to be effectively persuasive by setting up key strategies and exemplifying them in conversation. He dynamically coaches the reader on how to reach mutuality of people with different views and goals. He illustrates how to deal with conflict and provides tools to assist reader in resolution of the conflicts. He has diagrams on how to set up a effective meetings, by careful planning, order, and understanding needs and common ground. An especially informative section was how to develop relationships. He focused on how to talk to a boss, how a boss should talk with a subordinate, how to conduct an interview, and how to delight your client . This book is highly recommended for anyone in the working force. It is also recommended for everyone who needs to develop the social skills that are needed to communicate in today's world. By the simple how to steps described in this book, the reader learns what questions to ask. He then can apply them to whatever situations arise in everyday life, as outlined in the sections of the book. "Ask The Right Question! How to Get What You Want Every Time and in Any Situation" should be used as a reference guide given out to every employee to improve the workplace. In the past, society as a whole has failed to ask the right question. This is the core reason for negative and unsatisfactory outcomes in conversations and relationships. The book frames the power of asking the right questions and finding the answers to meet people's skills, relationships, and careers.

Asking the right question is the key to effective communication with your child, subordinate, or boss. Rupert Eales-White uses real-life conversations in his book, "Ask the Right Question" to point out effective and ineffective communication techniques in an attempt to improve the quality of relationships and get the most out of these relationships. Eales-White introduces you to the "discovery kings" what, why, and how to generate open dialogues, resolve issues, solve problems, or seize opportunities. "Ask the Right Question" offers tips on how to become more creative while harnessing the power of group discovery. An interesting exercise of question assumptions is included to get the creative juices flowing. The back cover states "Ace any interview" which is somewhat misleading as the chapter on interviews was written from the interviewer perspective. A greater benefit to readers would have been if effective communication tips were written from two perspectives--the person conducting the interview and for those seeking employment. For the interviewer, the section on obeying the 80-20 rule is sound advice. This rule recommends interviewers only speak 20 percent of the time, leaving the other 80 percent to the interviewee to effectively communicate the real reason for the interview--does the interviewee have the skills necessary to perform the job required? Relating effectively with subordinates offers some of the most helpful information in the book. If supervisors recognize themselves in this chapter and apply the techniques called for to improve relationships with their employees, management will surely be perceived as effective leaders and will achieve their goals. Many self-help books on improving communication skills regurgitate the same information. "Ask the Right Question" introduces new concepts and a unique way of examing proper communication. Employees will recognize many of the examples used in this book as similar incidents from their workplace, making it something they can relate to. Overall the book offers some helpful insight in developing positive relationships with most anyone you would come in contact with and in most any situation.