The Question Behind the Question

Akogun Miles Akindipe

The only thing people know how to do these days is point the finger to others, blaming something or someone else for their problems, their actions, their feelings? In one form or the another, we often hear, “It's not my fault,” “It's not my job,” or “It's not my problem.”

The lack of personal accountability is a problem that has resulted in an epidemic of blame, complaining, and procrastination. No organization or individual can achieve goals, compete in the marketplace, fulfil a vision, or develop people and teams without personal accountability. I read the book “The Question Behind the Question” by John Miller and my eyes were opened and I feel I should let you in on this book.

Have you ever heard this question?

 “When is that department going to do its job?”

“Why don't they communicate better?”

“Who dropped the ball?”

“Why do we have to go through all this change?”

“When is someone going to train me?”

These questions seem innocent enough, but they indicate a lack of personal responsibility. Miller prefers the term “personal accountability,” which he believes goes right to the heart of many of the problems we face today. I was made to believe that turning our thinking around and asking more personal accountable questions is one of the most powerful and effective things we can do to improve our lives and our organizations.

Each day we have countless choices to make. What are we choosing? Not our next action but our next thought. Choose the wrong thought and you are off in the emotional negative world of blame, complaining, and procrastination. But the right thoughts lead us to a richer, more fulfilling life and the feelings of pride and accomplishment that comes from making productive decisions. Sometimes people think they have no choice. They say things like “I have to” or “I can't.” We always have a choice. Even deciding not to choose is making a choice.

Realizing this and taking responsibility for our choices is a big step toward making great things happen.

We should know that our first reactions are often negative, bringing to mind Incorrect Questions (IQs). But if in each moment of decision we can instead discipline our thoughts to look behind those initial questions and ask better ones, the questions themselves will lead us to better results.

Troubles that plague organizations and individual lives cannot be solved by pointing fingers and blaming others. Rather, the real solutions are found when each of us recognizes the power of personal accountability. Negative inappropriate questions like “Why do we have to go through all this change?” represent a lack of personal accountability. Conversely, when we ask better questions such as “What can I do to contribute?” or “How can I help solve the problem?” our lives are transformed.

Personal accountability is not about changing others. It's about making a difference by changing ourselves. Remember change begins by asking better questions.

In this edition of Konfam Magazine, I present to you the new chairman of Kuje Area Council, who he is, his dreams and visions for Kuje Area Council.

As I promised you, this edition comes hot and sizzling fresh from the oven.

Till I come your way again in the next edition, enjoy the pages of your wonderful Konfam Magazine.