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107 reviews for:
QBQ! the Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life
John G. Miller
3.39 AVERAGE
107 reviews for:
QBQ! the Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life
John G. Miller
3.39 AVERAGE
A really good read about the vital importance of personal accountability in our work and personal lives. On how to stop blaming the systems, the company, others and instead work on how we can do our part. I removed one star because the way it is written felt a bit too much like an American sales man. Ha
I had to read this for work and put it off until the last minute. It's a quick read (I knocked it out in an hour) and while some of the points are more relevant than others, it really does have some good points on personal accountability in the work place. Many of which can be applied to your personal life as well.
This book was given to each new-hire in the IT department in my organization. I was interested to read it given that I liked books such as Who Moved My Cheese, and the One Minute Manager.
This however. Ugh, where to begin.
This is about going the extra mile, whatever it takes, no excuses!
What really annoys me about it is that two employees are held up as shining examples: front-line workers that pay (out of their own pockets) for something in order to please a customer. One off anecdotes that make a nice story but would be impractical for these employees to repeat on any regular basis, nor should they be expected to do so.
Okay, maybe if you had management buy-in to back you up... but I refer you back to the prior statement: no excuses! These are things the reader is encouraged to do on their own even without management buy-in... for every customer.
Always go the extra mile, even if you're paying out of pocket...
The author states that it is okay to 'define boundaries' so you don't end up doing other peoples work for them (p100)... there is NO discussion about how to achieve this balance in a 'no excuses' manner.
No discussion on unreasonable expectations that may be created with your customers... expectations that your co-workers may not be able to match next time.
No discussion about the burn-out that can happen when you're work queue gets longer and longer as you catch more attention (even the author returns to the same restaurant and asks for the same server again... this isn't hypothetical... this is what happens... I have been there.)
For myself, a phrase from a different book made all the difference: Do a good job because you want to, not because you have to. This puts you in charge instead of your boss. Notice there is no requirement to pay anything out-of-pocket (nor a limitation preventing you from doing this, it's YOUR choice.)
On a parting note with QBQ:
Chapter 37: We Buy Too Many Books
I couldn't agree more!
This however. Ugh, where to begin.
This is about going the extra mile, whatever it takes, no excuses!
What really annoys me about it is that two employees are held up as shining examples: front-line workers that pay (out of their own pockets) for something in order to please a customer. One off anecdotes that make a nice story but would be impractical for these employees to repeat on any regular basis, nor should they be expected to do so.
Okay, maybe if you had management buy-in to back you up... but I refer you back to the prior statement: no excuses! These are things the reader is encouraged to do on their own even without management buy-in... for every customer.
Always go the extra mile, even if you're paying out of pocket...
The author states that it is okay to 'define boundaries' so you don't end up doing other peoples work for them (p100)... there is NO discussion about how to achieve this balance in a 'no excuses' manner.
No discussion on unreasonable expectations that may be created with your customers... expectations that your co-workers may not be able to match next time.
No discussion about the burn-out that can happen when you're work queue gets longer and longer as you catch more attention (even the author returns to the same restaurant and asks for the same server again... this isn't hypothetical... this is what happens... I have been there.)
For myself, a phrase from a different book made all the difference: Do a good job because you want to, not because you have to. This puts you in charge instead of your boss. Notice there is no requirement to pay anything out-of-pocket (nor a limitation preventing you from doing this, it's YOUR choice.)
On a parting note with QBQ:
Chapter 37: We Buy Too Many Books
I couldn't agree more!
If you ever want to work at CHG, you will be required to read this one. Here are the cliff notes: take accountability for yourself! Instead of just seeing problems, try to see yourself playing a part in solving them. There’s a Bob Marley quote about when you point your finger at someone, there are 3 other fingers pointing straight back at you. That’s the gist!
This book was pretty good. Not my regular genre, but I was told it was a good read by a family friend. The author takes an interesting, different perspective and it’s nice to read something that isn’t along the usual lines.
A book EVERYONE in today's world should read. Take some responsibility for your own actions already. I find myself occasionally blaming something or someone when really, I should just take some responsibility. This is all about accountability. Loved it!
Good insight and advice. Nothing that's really mind blowing. Incredibly short but to the point.