What is a Beautiful Question?

“We know that the art of asking questions is at the heart of discovery in science, philosophy, medicine—so why don’t we extend that power to all areas of our lives? The questions Warren Berger raises in A MORE BEAUTIFUL QUESTION are thoughtful, provocative, odd, serious, and silly, but in every case they are indeed the kind of ‘beautiful questions’ that can help us identify the right problems and generate creative solutions.”
—DANIEL PINK, New York Times bestselling author of Drive and To Sell is Human

“Most people believe that great leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and activists are distinguished by their ability to give compelling answers. This profound book shatters that assumption, showing that the more vital skill is asking the right questions…. Berger poses many fascinating questions, including this one: What if companies had mission questions rather than mission statements? This is a book everyone ought to read—without question.”
—ADAM GRANT, New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take, in “13 Must-Read Business Books in 2014”

“In the old economy, it was all about having the answers. But in today’s dynamic, lean economy, it's more about asking the right questions. A More Beautiful Question is about figuring out how to ask, and answer, the questions that can lead to new opportunities and growth.”
—ERIC RIES, New York Times bestselling author of The Lean Startup

“Is there a relationship between innovation and the ability to ask ambitious questions? The journalist and innovation expert Berger argues there is, and in this breezy management book he seeks to improve our capacity to question.... One closes A MORE BEAUTIFUL QUESTION newly conscious of the significance of smart questions.”
—THE NEW YORK TIMES (read full review)

“Innovation specialist Berger takes on some big questions in this absorbing treatise that calls for more curiosity in our corporate development and daily lives.... Quirky sidebars on topics ranging from George Carlin to hard-boiled eggs add to the book’s inquisitive spirit.... This potential game-changer will help readers identify where opportunities lie and how to seize them.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (read full review)

“Berger makes great use of both historical and contemporary examples of educators, innovators and business moguls who, by taking time to ask pointed questions of themselves and their respective industries, have both broadened their understandings of challenging situations and expanded the range of positive possibilities.... A practical testament to the significance of the questioning mind.”
—KIRKUS REVIEWS (read full review)

» Read full BOOKLIST review

“In this wise book, Warren Berger shows us how crucial it is to question every aspect of our lives, from business to school to our choice of toothpaste. My question: Why wouldn’t you read this book?”
—A.J. JACOBS, New York Times bestselling author and Esquire columnist

“The genesis of many great startups is the simple question, ‘Wouldn’t it be cool if...?’ Berger helps you understand the power of questions to change the world. Real men ask questions, they don’t spout out answers.”
—GUY KAWASAKI, author of APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur, and former chief evangelist at Apple

“Mastering the art of asking questions is essential to creativity and innovation. A More Beautiful Question should be standard reading for all aspiring design thinkers as well an inspiration to those searching for a life of curiosity and meaning.”
—TIM BROWN, Chief Executive, IDEO and author of Change by Design: How Design Thinking Transforms Organizations

“In an age of instant information, it’s easier than ever to find answers, but also easy to forget how important it is to ask the right kinds of questions. In this deeply thought-provoking book, Warren Berger shows how learning the art of good questioning—and resisting the urge to race too quickly toward conclusions—is the path to a far more fruitful and creative way of engaging with the world, at work and in life as a whole.”
—OLIVER BURKEMAN, columnist at The Guardian and bestselling author of The Antidote: Happiness for People Who Can’t Stand Positive Thinking

“Warren Berger’s book is a cure for a disease in large enterprises. A More Beautiful Question provides a framework to help leaders ask the most important questions—which is one of the most fundamental characteristics of a great leader—while sharing inspiring stories to show the incredible power of this concept.”
—JIM STENGEL, former Global Marketing Officer at Procter & Gamble and author of Grow: How Ideals Power Growth and Profit at the World’s Greatest Companies

“A More Beautiful Question is a tour de force on how asking questions shapes the life and work of creative leaders. I founded The 4-24 Project because questions are the lifeblood of innovation, and thus, our future. Berger’s engaging collection of narratives will undoubtedly propel this question mission forward, inspiring readers from all walks of life to challenge the status quo by asking more of the world.”
—HAL GREGERSEN, co-author, The Innovator’s DNA and founder of The 4-24 Project

“Why has a book like this never been written before? Here is a persuasive case for the simple and yet extraordinary power of a question. Fascinating, engaging stories give life to a strong argument about how much can be accomplished, in every domain of our lives, ‘just’ by asking questions. Innovators, entrepreneurs, citizens, parents, teachers, idealists and realists—all of us have much to gain by reading A More Beautiful Question.”
—DAN ROTHSTEIN and LUZ SANTANA, co-directors, THE RIGHT QUESTION INSTITUTE; co-authors, Make Just One Change: Teach Students to Ask Their Own Questions

“Questions have literally moved mountains, powered rockets, and instantly developed images. Berger focuses on what he calls ‘Beautiful Questions’… that can lead to game-changing answers and results. These are questions that, once raised, tend to get people thinking in a different way.”
—THE ATLANTIC

“The desire to ask bigger and better questions is on the rise… Warren Berger has been tracking a movement toward questioning that is running very strong in Silicon Valley, but also seems to be spreading throughout the business, nonprofit and education sectors.”

—FORBES.com

See In the News for more reviews.