John G. Miller’s first book, QBQ!, was a gem about personal accountability. This second book, another tight little volume, does not disappoint. Even though both books are quite short, they are enhanced by being separate volumes.
John has a clarion message to share with the world, the Question Behind the Question : “how/what can I do to address this problem”.
With such a simple message, the method is equally as simple – ask the QBQ whenever you encounter a problem. Being personally accountable is a binary practice, you either are or you ain’t. It isn’t necessary to bloat a book on the subject.
However, it never hurts to look at such a foundational concept from multiple angles. QBQ! was a collection of short essays that creating a cloud of thoughts and examples around the QBQ. Flipping the Switch is categorized into five key benefits from engaging in this practice: Learning, Ownership, Creativity, Service, and Trust. It also includes a discussion that addresses some of the excuses the author has encountered while evangelizing this message.
The core message is quite simple, so either book is a great starting point. And then feel free to read the other book. By approaching the subject in a separate volume, the author is able to revisit this basic concept with a new lens. Reformatting the message keeps it fresh.
Ultimately, personal accountability is all about execution. The goal is to encourage you to the Question Behind the Question and then take personal accountability to make your life better. How you get to action is somewhat irrelevant. Just pick up a copy and start asking the QBQ.
The author was kind enough to send me a review copy of this book after I had sent him an appreciative email. Unfortunately, I got sidetracked with the arrival of my son and a major job change, so I’m happy to finally complete this pairing a couple years later.