Ask Better Questions, Get Better Results

Asking "Learner" questions

Greetings, Dear Reader! Today, I'm excited to share my latest favorite read, Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Merilee Adams. This book has completely captured my attention and I can't wait for you to experience it too. As usual, I have a stack of books next to my bed, including The Covenant of Water, Behind The Cloud, Breath, and Anita Roddick's Body and Soul (a book that inspired me many years ago), to name a few... and let's not forget the list on my Kindle—my library is never-ending! Reading is one of my favorite things to do. It's like having an escape portal, a university, and a private mentor all at your fingertips!

I encourage you to get a copy of this book, as I think it has the potential to change our approach to learning, teamwork, and leadership.

Change Your Questions, Change Your Life' by Marilee Adams;

This book is a transformative guide that not only reframes thinking patterns but also empowers readers to adopt a questioning mindset, leading to enhanced personal and professional success. Take a look at this summary highlighting key points from the book:

Book: Change Your Questions, Change Your Life by Marilee Adams

The Power of Questions: Adams emphasizes the significance of questions in shaping our thoughts, behaviors, and outcomes. By becoming aware of the questions we ask ourselves and others, we can unlock new possibilities and solutions.

Question Marks

The Question Thinking™ Model: Adams introduces the Question Thinking™ Model, which consists of two primary questions: "Judger" and "Learner" questions. Judger questions focus on blame, criticism, and limitations, while Learner questions promote curiosity, growth, and innovation.

Shifting Perspectives: The book guides us through exercises and examples to help you recognize when you are operating from a Judger mindset and how to move towards a Learner mindset. This shift enables individuals to approach challenges with openness, creativity, and resilience. After learning about these two perspectives, I realize how often I am in the Judger mindset!! Just becoming aware of this has provided me with a very simple method to shift my thinking into a positive mindset..

People Thinking, questioning

The Choice to Question: Adams emphasizes that questioning is a choice and encourages readers to consciously choose Learner questions in both personal and professional contexts. By doing so, individuals can cultivate deeper relationships, improve communication, and achieve tremendous success. Just from reading the first 1/2 of the book, I started applying Adams methods and can see how this can completely transform relationships, in every aspect of your life.

Team meeting

Application in Daily Life: Throughout the book, Adams provides practical and actionable strategies for applying Question Thinking™ in various aspects of life, including leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. These strategies are designed to empower readers to ask powerful questions that lead to meaningful insights and positive outcomes. I wish I had read this book years ago....it would have helped me greatly through some rough work situations.

Cultivating a Learning Culture: Adams highlights the importance of fostering a culture of curiosity and learning within organizations. By encouraging employees to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and explore new ideas, businesses can drive innovation, adapt to change, and thrive in competitive environments. I would have every manager and employee read this book!!!

Ask sign

Personal Growth and Transformation:

Ultimately, 'Change Your Questions, Change Your Life' is not just a book, but a roadmap for personal growth and transformation. By embracing a mindset of a Learner, with curiosity and inquiry, individuals cannot only overcome obstacles and achieve their goals but also lead more fulfilling lives. By using Adams methods explained in the book, I believe it can will impact our design and creative work as well. When we are working on new ideas, new products, a new collection, apply the Question Thinking methods to help guide your descisions and notice the positive impact and ripple effect across all areas of the process.

Now that I've shared the fundamental concepts of Marilee Adams' book, let's look at the practical application of her Question Thinking™ Model. So what types of questions are there, and how should we ask to change our thinking? Adams explains the Judger vs. Learner questions, and how we can learn to switch to the 'learner' mode of questioning. This shift in perspective not only changes our thinking but can completely transform our mindset, leading to highly positive outcomes. In this book, you will learn:

What are:

Judger Questions

Learner Questions?

What Questions should we ask to Shift from Judger to Learner?

What Questions should we ask for Personal Growth?

What Questions should we ask for Effective Communication?

What Questions should we ask for Problem-Solving?

What Questions should we askfor Decision-Making?

Team work

Asking different questions can lead to a shift in thinking from a Judger mindset to a Learner mindset, fostering personal growth, effective communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. By becoming more mindful of the questions we ask ourselves and others, we can change our perspectives and ultimately change our lives for the better.

Marilee Adams' book offers a compelling framework for harnessing the power of questions to change our thinking It's a valuable resource for anyone seeking to cultivate a mindset of curiosity, resilience, and continuous learning.

Change your questions Change your Life Workbook

Learning how to use the Question Thinking model, what questions you should be asking and how to apply them, will transform your life. Grab a copy of Change your Question, Change your Life! Want even more guidance? Grab the workbook to really get your going. I am working through the workbook myself....let's compare notes!! Read the book at pass it on and tell them to also pass it on further! I believe everyone should understand how to ask better questions, to get better results and find transformation......a great method to even teach your kids!!

Thanks of reading today. Have a book recommendations? Let us know!

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