What is a Beautiful Question?

What Is a BQ?

That’s a big part of what I’m exploring on this site and in my book A More Beautiful Question.

It’s entirely subjective, of course. A question could be considered “beautiful” for all kinds of reasons. But from my own perspective, I’m partial to big, ambitious questions—and more specifically, questions that can be acted upon.

Here’s a passage from the book, which clarifies my take on questions:

 A beautiful question is an ambitious yet actionable question that can begin to shift the way we perceive or think about something—and that might serve as a catalyst to bring about change.

That definition makes clear that this book is not about grand philosophical or spiritual questions—Why are we here? How does one define “good”? Is there life after death?—all of those great questions that spark endless, impassioned debate. … The focus here is on questions that can be acted upon.

In my research, I’ve come across many breakthrough ideas or new ways of thinking that can be traced back to a beautiful question. In this section, I’m featuring a few of those stories—just click through each graphic below to find out what was created because of that question. (You’ll find many more of these fascinating “question stories” in the book.)

Meanwhile if you want to know what MY beautiful question is these days, or read some other people’s Beautiful Qs, visit the What is Your Beautiful Question? page (and feel free to submit one of your own).

Beautiful Questions Gallery

  • Why should you be stuck without a bed if I’ve got an extra air mattress? {AMBQ Excerpt}

    Why should you be stuck without a bed if I’ve got an extra air mattress? {AMBQ Excerpt}

    Airbnb’s $10 billion valuation all started with a Beautiful Question.

    Read More →

  • If we were kicked out of the company, what do you think the new CEO would do?

    If we were kicked out of the company, what do you think the new CEO would do?

    Facing disruptive change.

    Read More →

  • Why do we have to wait for the picture?

    Why do we have to wait for the picture?

    Out of the mouth of babes.

    Read More →

  • What if we could paint over our mistakes?

    What if we could paint over our mistakes?

    From secretary to millionaire.

    Read More →

  • What if a car windshield could blink?

    What if a car windshield could blink?

    A flash of genius.

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  • Why aren’t the players urinating more?

    Why aren’t the players urinating more?

    A coach’s strange question.

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  • How might we prepare during the peace to offer help in times of war?

    How might we prepare during the peace to offer help in times of war?

    Preparedness is all.

    Read More →

  • Why did my candy bar melt? (And will my popcorn pop?)

    Why did my candy bar melt? (And will my popcorn pop?)

    The first energy bar.

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  • If they can put a man on the moon, why can’t they make a decent foot?

    If they can put a man on the moon, why can’t they make a decent foot?

    A decades-long journey by a water-skier.

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  • How do you fit a large golf course on a small island?

    How do you fit a large golf course on a small island?

    Jack Nicklaus asks some tough questions.

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  • What if a video rental business were run like a health club?

    What if a video rental business were run like a health club?

    This guy really hated late fees.

    Read More →

  • Why isn’t the water reaching the people who need it?

    Why isn’t the water reaching the people who need it?

    Creating rainmakers around the world.

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  • Why do movie tickets cost the same for hits or duds?

    Why do movie tickets cost the same for hits or duds?

    A question of basic economics.

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  • What if countries competed on playing fields instead of battlefields?

    What if countries competed on playing fields instead of battlefields?

    An Olympics-worthy question.

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  • How can we use questioning to better connect with others?

    How can we use questioning to better connect with others?

    Don’t tell people what they need. Ask.

    Read More →

  • What is your sentence?

    What is your sentence?

    A favorite question of author Daniel Pink about finding and living your purpose.

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  • Why do we want kids to “sit still” in class?

    Why do we want kids to “sit still” in class?

    New research says that’s just not a good way to learn.

    Read More →

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