Power Questions - by Andrew Sobel & Jerold Panas (Hardcover)

About the Book

"An arsenal of powerful questions that will transform every conversationSkillfully redefine problems. Make an immediate connection with anyone. Rapidly determine if a client is ready to buy. Access the deepest dreams of others. Power Questions sets out a series of strategic questions that will transform your effectiveness with others. The book showcases thirty-five riveting, real conversations with CEOs, billionaires, clients, colleagues, and friends. Each story illustrates the extraordinary power and impact of a thought-provoking, incisive power question. To help readers navigate a variety of professional challenges, over 200 additional, thought-provoking questions are also summarized at the end of the book. The insights in Power Questions include: Want to refocus a client conversation? Ask, What's the most important thing we should be discussing today? Want to connect deeply? Ask the startlingly simple, What are your dreams? Want to learn how someone became the person they are? Ask, How did you get your start? Want to understand a client's deepest motivations? Ask, Why do you do what you do? Does someone need a push to excel? Ask, Is this the best you can do? When you use power questions, you magnify your professional and personal influence, create intimate connections with others, and drive to the true heart of the issue every time"--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

An arsenal of powerful questions that will transform every conversation

Skillfully redefine problems. Make an immediate connection with anyone. Rapidly determine if a client is ready to buy. Access the deepest dreams of others. Power Questions sets out a series of strategic questions that will help you win new business and dramatically deepen your professional and personal relationships. The book showcases thirty-five riveting, real conversations with CEOs, billionaires, clients, colleagues, and friends. Each story illustrates the extraordinary power and impact of a thought-provoking, incisive power question. To help readers navigate a variety of professional challenges, over 200 additional, thought-provoking questions are also summarized at the end of the book.

In Power Questions you'll discover:

• The question that stopped an angry executive in his tracks
• The sales question CEOs expect you to ask versus the questions they want you to ask
• The question that will radically refocus any meeting
• The penetrating question that can transform a friend or colleague's life
• A simple question that helped restore a marriage

When you use power questions, you magnify your professional and personal influence, create intimate connections with others, and drive to the true heart of the issue every time.

From the Back Cover

Praise For Power Questions

"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 helps set your conversations on the right track and enhances your ability to listen. It gets you inside the mind and heart of a person. I strongly recommend it."
--John Schlifske, Chairman and CEO, Northwestern Mutual

"Reading Power Questions is like listening in on the most amazing array of private conversations with CEOs, politicians, religious authorities, and entrepreneurs. A joyous read."
--David Sable, Global CEO, Young & Rubicam

"In Power Questions, Andrew Sobel and Jerry Panas show how to drill deep in any situation by identifying the precise question that is begging to be asked. 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

"At the White House, I learned the art of answering questions, but all the time I thought to myself, the trick is to ask the right question. Andrew and Jerry nail that art. This book is indispensable for tapping the power of successful communication. A must-read!"
--Mike McCurry, former press secretary for President Bill Clinton

"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, it's a valuable resource no matter where you are in your career."
--Frank D'Souza, CEO, Cognizant

"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--some humorous, others dramatically pertinent--and their premise becomes more convincing page by page."
--Sir Winfried Bischoff, Chairman, Lloyds Banking Group

Review Quotes

"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 recommended"--Midwest 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, it's 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^(R) 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

About the Author

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.