QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability at Work and in Life

by John G. Miller

The best thing we can do to get rid of victim thinking in our world is to get rid of it in ourselves.

Most of us have heard the saying “Creativity is thinking outside the box.” There’s a lot of truth in that, but to me true creativity is this: Succeeding within the box. Hitting targets, reaching goals, doing the job well, and making a difference with what we already have is the QBQ way. Every organization has imperfect systems and finite resources. We may wish we had newer tools, better systems, more people, and bigger budgets. But thinking too much about what we’d like to have is another cause of procrastination. Managers, for example, won’t take their group through training until “all the right people are in place.” Individuals won’t make a decision until they have all the information, or take action until all the questions are answered. Ironically, succeeding with what we have makes us more likely to get the things we wanted in the first place. Listen to the wisdom of Deb Weber of State Farm Insurance: “I find that every time I do the job with the tools I have, I tend to receive more tools.” It’s a truth: We sow, then we reap. Focusing on what we don’t have is a waste of time and energy and kills innovation. To really make a difference, let’s instead focus our energy on succeeding within the box. Let’s ask the QBQ “How can I achieve with the resources I already have?”

‘silos and butt-covering.’”

Humility is the cornerstone of leadership.