Power Questions

A powerful question can turn a tepid conversation into a revealing encounter, as demonstrated by Andrew Sobel and Jerold Panas in their engaging new book, Power Questions...first-rate and very helpful.The Globe and Mail Power Questions...is already my favorite, keep-it-close-at-hand business book. I read the book in a single sitting and within 24 hours landed a speaking engagement by asking a few of the 337 Essential Questions that Sobel and Panas have carefully matched to 35 common business-related situations.Forbes.com Forget trying to be brilliant or clever on your feet to sell a prospect. Power questions will refocus meetings, stop people in their tracks and help you win new business.American Express.com, Top 10 Business Books for the Summer An inspirational read...strongly recommendedMidwest Library Journal The greatest gift you can give someone is to ask what he or she thinks, and truly listen to the answer. Sobel and Panas turn this powerful idea into practical, compelling advice by asking questions that reveal surprising, often life-changing, answers.Ralph W. Shrader, Chairman and CEO, Booz Allen Hamilton This book is amazing. It packs a wallop. It gets you inside the mind and heart of a person. I strongly recommend it.John Schlifske, Chairman and CEO, Northwestern Mutual Power Questions is easy to pick up, but hard to put down. Andrew and Jerry give a veritable playbook for building stronger relationships. Whether you read it cover-to-cover or just open a page to prepare for a new meeting, its a valuable resource no matter where you are in your career.Frank D'Souza, CEO, Cognizant Read this remarkable book and keep it handy, because these questions have the power to enrich every segment of your life.Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager and Leading at a Higher Level Reading Power Questions is like listening in to the most amazing array of private conversations with CEOs, politicians, religious authorities, and entrepreneurs. A joyous read.David Sable, Global CEO, Young & Rubicam Andrew Sobel and Jerry Panas have developed the thought-provoking thesis in their book of the importance of asking questions to tailor advice and build relationships. Their work is illustrated with plenty of examples, and their premise becomes more convincing page by page.Sir Winfried Bischoff, Chairman, Lloyds Banking Group

Andrew Sobel is the leading authority on client relationships and the skills and strategies required to earn enduring client loyalty. His books include the award-winning All for One (Wiley) and the bestselling Clients for Life. He has been featured in the Harvard Business Review, the New York Times, and USA Today. Andrew helps companies and individuals build their clients for life. Visit www.AndrewSobel.com. Jerold Panas is the world's leading consultant in philanthropy and the CEO of Jerold Panas, Linzy & Partners, the largest consulting firm in the world for advising nonprofit organizations and foundations on fundraising. Jerry is the author of thirteen bestselling books, including Asking and Mega Gifts. He works directly with CEOs, boards, and development professionals around the world. Visit www.JeroldPanas.com.

The Power Questions 1 1. Good Questions Trump Easy Answers 3 2. If You Dont Want to Hit Bottom, Stop Digging the Hole 7 3. The Four Words 13 4. When the Sale Is Stuck 17 5. Mission Isnt Important. Its Everything 23 6. Get Out of Your Cave 27 7. Begin at the Beginning 33 8. Start Over 39 9. You Can Overcome Anything If You Understand Why 43 10. In a Hushed Moment 47 11. Is This the Best You Can Do? 53 12. No Gorilla Dust 59 13. Bury the Clichs 63 14. Dont Let Anyone Steal Your Dreams 69 15. Silence Can Be the Best Answer 73 16. The Greatest Teacher 77 17. Push Open the Flood Gate 83 18. The Essence of Your Job 87 19. A Tempest-Tossed Topic 91 20. The Road Taken 97 21. Who Do You Say I Am? 103 22. That Special Moment in Life 109 23. Your Plans or Their Plans? 115 24. Never Look Back Unless You Plan to Live That Way 121 25. How to Stop the Snorting 127 26. Dig Deeper. Deeper. Still Deeper 131 27. Always Faithful 135 28. I Used to Be IndecisiveBut Now Im Not Sure 141 29. Blah Blah Blah 145 30. Why Is This Day Different? 149 31. Never Too Late 153 32. Take Stock of Your Life 159 33. The Heart of the Matter 165 34. Capture the Moments 169 35. The Awe and Wonder of the Power Question 175 Not Just for Sunday 181 293 More Power Questions 183 About the Authors 203