Customer Reviews

Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 7 Powerful Tools for Life and Work

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is essentially a simplified version of the author's earlier scholarly work, The Art of the Question, (under her maiden name), which is primarily written from a psycho-therapeutic perspective. The latter book expounds all the core concepts found in the new book. In this respect, there isn't anything new or exciting to offer. If you have already read the author's earlier book, then you don't have to waste money in getting this book.

However, if you are looking for a much broader perspective & also deeper & systematic treatment on the art & discipline of questioning, I reckon the following books will give readers more value for money:

for the business professional:
- Smart Questions, by Gerald Nadler;
- Asking Just Right Business Questions (especially, if you are planning to start your own business);
- Key Management Questions, by Tom Lambert (if you want to improve your managerial analysis);
- 78 Important Questions Every Leader Should Ask & Answer, by Chris Clarke-Epstein (if you want to sharpen your managerial skills);
- Leading with Questions, by Michael Marquardt (if you want to refine your strategic leadership skills);

for the layman as well as business professional:
- Questions that Work, Andrew Finlayson;
- Dorothy Leeds' Smart Questions is also worth exploring;

for those working in the academic arena, please get hold of Jamie McKenzie's books on the Questioning Technology (as the author calls it); a series of educational instruction books by Nancy Johnson (e.g. Questioning Makes the Difference) is worth exploring too!

In fairness to the author, & if you are basically a beginner, the current book still gives quite an excellent & yet simple introduction to the subject. However, readers will have to contend with her storytelling approach, which I find somewhat taxing & boring. The author's unique model, 'QuestionThinking', encompassing seven simple exploration tools, & her 'Top Twelve Questions for Change,' on the other hand, are still worth exploring.

On the whole, it is relatively good work by the author, but there are other much better books as I have illustrated above.

This book is a self-help book that offers a new perspective of looking at situations/dilemmas or any other issue. It uses 'Questions' as a way of making your attitude change from Judger (subjective) to Learner (objective). The idea of the book is told through a story with the lead character of Ben, who'd resist at first the changes, but eventually change to becoming an Inquiring person/leader.

Positive points of the books (+ve):
1- Introduces new concept of 'Question Thinking' as a tool to look at everyday life issues and solve them.
2- Key points are highlighted and printed in big bold letters making it easier to remember the concepts.
3- The book is told as a story using mainly dialogue between the characters. This offers an insight into how the character of Ben (Lead character) transforms into a wonderful Leader for his team.
4- I've read for few women who've written great books. The author is at the top of the list. I think I'll enjoy meeting her.
5- The more you apply the tools, I believe, the more you're life will be changed for the better. I'll adopt them starting now.
6- At the end of the book is a 'Workbook' chapter explaining key concepts, which makes it easier for reference.
7- The 'Question Thinking' tools have been applied well to demonstrate how useful they can be at work, firing up creativity, improving relationships, most important of all : seeing yourself in a new perspective and respectively, changing to the better.

Negative points of the book (-ve):
(None)

While the metaphor may not be palatable - "A Ticking Time Bomb" - I have to say, it is exactly the right way to think about Dr Adams book. You read it, wander off, not realizing you just triggered the device and boom!, it goes off in your head. Sometimes it takes a jolt to move us to higher and safer ground.



Many books attempt to help us move into a more "hopeful and possible" state of mind. However, having read dozens of such books, very few are able to be grasped and remembered. Usually complex and focused on organizational theory, they offer little for the "average Joe" to implement. The power of this book can rapidly move the "average Joe" to a new height of effectiveness and position of power (so to speak). In an instant, one will move to effective behavior, sure to be noted and applauded by all - maybe even your Boss!



Well done Dr. Adams. You have made a very valuable and strategic contribution to the world of personal leadership that's sure to make our lives, families, and organizations, places of health and progress.



I actually applied the lessons in a very delicate organizational situation and the "switching question" saw a group of individuals move rapidly through, in a few hours, that which they have failed to do in almost a whole year.



Read it, lend it, discuss it and apply it. This one is going on my website www.leadingbooks.com

This book is an easy read and points out how much control we do have over the circumstances under which we live. Ms. Adams shows how to think your way out of frustrating or non-productive sitations and create a more positive, effective, and satisfying life. Her method is easy and can be put into practice immediately - my husband picked my copy up off the night table, read the book in a weekend, and our communication improved almost instantaneously. This book would be good for anybody who wants to improve personally or professionally.

...I found myself driving my car and hoping to get a red light, so I could pick up this book and read until the light changed to green!!!! I found the real life story format to be extremely helpful in both learning the concept, as well as the application of the skill. I'm hooked on the powerful impact that good question thinking has had on my life. I know this book will be a well worn, dog earred resource that I'll use for the rest of my life. Thanks Marilee

I had the extraordinary honor and pleasure of reading this book and offering my opinion on it prior to its publication. My first response was that this was a revolutionary work, presenting a whole new way of formulating and then asking questions. What the author describes is a way of opening up a vast area of our minds--simply by knowing how to access the hidden powers of the question. What's even more amazing about this book is that the author accomplishes so much in so few pages--and does it in a way that is as entertaining as it is informative. A real page-turner with a practical message! Written as a story, just as we find in WHO MOVED MY CHEESE or Sheldon Bowles' GUNG HO!, Dr. Adams has used the art of the story-teller to open our minds to a brand new set of possibilities that we can apply, in a practical way, to every area of life, but most particularly in our business and personal lives. This is a 'must-read' and, like WHO MOVED MY CHEESE, it can change forever how you think about the questions you ask or hold in your mind.

When I picked up this book I thought it would only apply to business. Boy was I wrong! I found an immediate application of question thinking techniques in an emotional family situation. Dr. Adams' work is easy to read and understand. She didn't overpopulate the book with too much information. Instead, she put the Power of Questions techniques in a workbook later in the book to be referred to easily. This book will enhance every relationship you have.

Emily Huling, author Kick Your "But" Removing the Obstacles to Sales Success

Do you stay awake at night wondering how your relationships, both at work and home can improve? Wonder how you could improve your communication with coworkers, family, your boss, or employees? Wonder about your life in general?
In the style of Og Mandino, Dr. Adams has captured the spirit of the storyteller with an awesome message of how to take those "wonderings", recraft those questions ultimately changing the answers for your life. I have read this book four times. Each time I learn something new and to put into action. Don't wait! Buy this book! Read it, implement the tools in your life, then SHARE this book with friends, neighbors and coworkers. They will thank you for it! They've thanked me already!

BACKGROUND
I selected this book with my nutritional/lifestyle modification clients in mind because of their difficulty in making sustainable lifestyle changes. After reading this book, I now have tools to better help my clients lead themselves to success.

On a personal note, I found the book to be insightful. It appears that I use some of the methods unconsciously but I'll be asking a lot more questions from now on!

THE BOOK
- The book is told in a story format. It's skimable in some parts but mostly not superfluous.

- The author includes a simple (not simplistic), pictorial representation of the types of questions and choices we make. Very handy and clear!

- The last chapter summarizes the 7 keys for changing your life.

- Also listed are the Top 12 Questions for Change

For certain types of clients, I will include this book as part of their treatment plan.

PROs:
- very easy to comprehend
- quick read
- NOT a new-agey or touchy feely self-help book(whew!)
- Applies to all aspects of life (not just business)
- PRACTICAL AND DOABLE (a bottom line for me when recommending books to clients or colleagues)

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS:
The author has a website (http://www.inquiryinstitute.com/) from which you can download a color version of the Choice Map and free past Teleseminars.

I would pair this book with Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People to help prioritize goals.

This was an easy read on a challenging subject. So many times circumstances drag us into the judger mindset and we end up in the "mud pit". The book provides 7 powerful techniques that can help mitigate the pitfalls when we are in the judger state of mind. I found that when I started to ask questions from a learner mindset, my encounters with colleagues and friends began to be more constructive. A definite must read.