Ask More

Questions give us information. They help us to learn. They help us to make choices, and some of these choices define our lives. As a journalist, I value the fact that I am inquisitive, curious, and I always wanting to learn more. However, I find myself not asking enough questions. I also realize that I am not alone. Many people aren't taking a moment to stop and ask questions.
Formulating questions is an art form, and this author definitely realizes the significance of this step.
As I read the book, I kept thinking: This book should be apart of journalism school curriculums. It should be included in law schools. It should be apart of a school teacher efforts to encourage critical thinking. I currently work at an organization where we are developing a curriculum for professional development. This is one book that I would definitely include as a resource and an author who I would love to connect for workshops and webinars.

I am a fan of AMACOM books, they always deliver. This book by Frank Sesno is a good one. Unlike previous books on using questions in sales, this one covers questions for your whole life and many different situations. Its a great starting book and also one that you can carry for your whole career. They key to change and impact is listening and the cornerstone to listening is having great questions. Buy this, read it and refer back many times.

Just offering a quick review of several new and forthcoming business related titles from a variety of publishers: [online review contains comments about 5 titles, including this one]

ASK MORE by Frank Sesno (AMACON Books) Here, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, former CNN reporter and White House correspondent explores "The Power of Questions to Open Doors, Uncover Solutions, and Spark Change." Sesno describes asking the right question in the right setting or category: diagnostic, strategic, empathetic, bridging, confrontational, creative, mission-related, scientific, interview and more! As a librarian, I am often stressing to students that the way they ask the question is as important as the answer. I especially liked the summary sets of questions near the end and will work at adapting some for help with readers' advisory or reference inquiries. Students may also be interested in Sesno's work with Planet Forward at George Washington University.

So many marketing books are written for people new to the game — this is one that I truly feel is helpful for everyone from the intern to the CEO. As an experienced strategist, the skills I've learned from this book will be invaluable.

As an executive business coach and consultant I work hard to continuously improve my ability to ask powerful questions so I was really excited when I read about this book. The author, Frank Sesno shares his vast and deep knowledge based on his experiences as a journalist, talk show host and professor. After finishing it I found it a good basic primer for why and how to ask questions that is written in an engaging manner with interesting anecdotes to support the author’s recommendations. The book outlines a broad array of opportunities to hone your question asking skills from the obvious such as interviewing or being interviewed to solving challenging problems to unleashing creativity in yourself and others or hosting an engaging dinner party. I especially enjoyed the section on listening as it included some great questions to ask yourself to uncover what type of listener you are. What was missing was how to overcome your current listening challenges. One acronym I recently learned was W.A.I.T - Why Am I Talking. I have a post-note with this acronym on my laptop as a constant reminder.

I thought the last chapter, a summary of the types of questions to ask for different situations, was a great reference tool as you work to incorporate this new skill into your daily life. If you want to be a better leader, host or everyday conversationalist I recommend reading this book and then I recommend reading a good book on how to change a behavior and create a new habit. Asking powerful questions and becoming a stronger listener requires a behavior change. Behavior changes are very hard; fortunately there are many great books on this topic!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an early release of this book.

I teach Design thinking at the Institute of Product leadership and one of the steps in the process is for us to understand and observe the users in action and that involves getting the students to interview the users.. I now recommend this book to all my students and dont have to worry about trying to teach them how to question as this book covers it all..

I also host a podcast, which means that i get to play host to some very interesting minds in the world and I have learnt a lot personally and I believe I have become a better host as a result of reading this book..

Congratulations to Frank for writing such a wonderful book...