
A Tool for These Uncertain Times
It is especially important in these times to embrace a “questioning mindset”—an attitude or disposition that is curious, open to new information, and willing to ask challenging questions.
You are here: Home » What is a Beautiful Question?
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).
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.
If we were kicked out of the company, what do you think the new CEO would do?
Facing disruptive change.
Why do we have to wait for the picture?
Out of the mouth of babes.
What if we could paint over our mistakes?
From secretary to millionaire.
What if a car windshield could blink?
A flash of genius.
Why aren’t the players urinating more?
A coach’s strange question.
How might we prepare during the peace to offer help in times of war?
Preparedness is all.
Why did my candy bar melt? (And will my popcorn pop?)
The first energy bar.
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.
How do you fit a large golf course on a small island?
Jack Nicklaus asks some tough questions.
What if a video rental business were run like a health club?
This guy really hated late fees.
Why isn’t the water reaching the people who need it?
Creating rainmakers around the world.
Why do movie tickets cost the same for hits or duds?
A question of basic economics.
What if countries competed on playing fields instead of battlefields?
An Olympics-worthy question.
How can we use questioning to better connect with others?
Don’t tell people what they need. Ask.
What is your sentence?
A favorite question of author Daniel Pink about finding and living your purpose.
Why do we want kids to “sit still” in class?
New research says that’s just not a good way to learn.
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A Tool for These Uncertain Times
It is especially important in these times to embrace a “questioning mindset”—an attitude or disposition that is curious, open to new information, and willing to ask challenging questions.
What should I read? What should I watch?
These are unusual times; everyone I know is doing a lot more reading and binge-watching than usual and they’re all (myself included) looking for suggestions.
People in the news using beautiful questions
When you’re a questionologist, you can’t help spotting beautiful questions in your reading. Below are a few I found by chance in the news.
Questolutions: The Power of Questions to Get Things Done
Why do questions motivate us more than resolutions?
Warren on the web