Evan Carmichael Top Header about About About facebook Twitter YouTube Google+

Basic Operating Question (BOQ) for Empowerment



Free PDF Download
Finding the Rhythm in Your Breath - By Jeanie Marshall

Name: Email:


Years ago when I trained managers and trainers, I liked to be playful with each group. The company I was working with one day had a culture that was closest to acronym heaven than I had ever before or since experienced. So, I wrote on the flip chart in large letters: B O Q.

“Today we’re going to learn about the BOQ,” I said, pronouncing it Bock. My demeanor suggested they already knew — or should know — what the letters stood for, just the way that most acronyms are stated. Came a flurry of activity as they wrote the letters, trying to jog their collective memories of the words that B, O, and Q might possibly represent.

I did not leave them long in this state of mild confusion. They knew me well enough to know that I liked to play. They rose to the occasion and expressed their relief in laughter as I said, pointing letter by letter: Basic Operating Question.

One way of thinking of the Basic Operating Question is to consider it your “default” question. It is the question you think of first when you are facing a certain type of situation. In some situations, you might be well aware of your BOQ, but in others you may not. Questions guide you all day long, and some are more empowering than others.

For example, when the phone rings, you are likely to wonder who is calling and may formulate the question “Who’s that?” or just think, "I wonder who that is." It's customary to answer with your name or with "hello," but still you will be questioning who it is until you know.

If you have a tense relationship with your boss who motions you to his or her office, your BOQ might be “What have I done wrong now?” If your relationship is cordial, perhaps your question is "What can I do for you?"

You walk into a room with others present and your BOQ in your thoughts might be “What’s going on here?” If you have arrived late to a meeting, your default question might be "What have I missed?" Often, others will answer your questions even if you have not verbalized them because they are predominant in your thoughts.

A BOQ can be positive, negative, or neutral. It can be empowering or disempowering. It can be easy to answer or not. It can be verbalized out loud or only thought about. It can be a neat sentence or a disjointed thought. The Basic Operating Question itself as well as its quality and resonance guide the quality and resonance of the answer.

The purpose of identifying your Basic Operating Questions is to discover if they are helpful and empowering. And, if not, to craft more helpful and empowering ones. A long-time habit of asking a particular Basic Operating Question will not necessarily be instantly changed just because of discovering one that you consider better, but that is a good starting place. After identifying one or more of these, it is important to practice your new, empowering Basic Operating Questions as often as possible.

What’s your BOQ in each of the common situations you regularly face in your life? For example, when you get up in the morning, when you get to your place of work, when the phone rings, when you see coworkers, when you go to a meeting, when you get into your car, when you go to sleep at night?

Once you have identified the situations that are most important to you, note the default question, and adjust it if it needs to be more empowering. Now, practice, practice, practice.

Copyright © 2006 Marshall House


Related Articles

  Changing the Way You Think Can Empower You
  Empowerment: The Ticket to a Fulfilling Life
  Do Not Mix Empowerment and Morale
  Empowerment - The Key To Developing Your Management Skills
  Making Sound Choices With Your Leasing Finance Company? Canadian Operating And Capital Lease Solutions
  Leadership empowerment: what is it and how do you do it?
  Employee Empowerment
  A Letter To America
  Empowerment, Autonomy & Discretion – Oh My!
  Money, Power and Empowerment - It's your choice!!
  Be Empowered Before Empowering Others
  Do Not Be Afraid to Take the Lead
  Tools for Personal Development
  Franchise Your Business, What does it Mean?
  Powersharing Trumps Empowerment
  The Difference Between A Capital Lease and An Operating Lease
  Engagement and Empowerment
  How does microfinance help the poor? FAQ
  Can A Leasing Company Empower Your Asset Finance Needs ? Understanding A Lease Companies Offerings
  Policy Compliance-Doing what you say you do!

Home > Human-Resources > Jeanie Marshall > Basic Operating Question BOQ for Empowerment >

Free PDF Download
Finding the Rhythm in Your Breath - By Jeanie Marshall

Name: Email:

About the Author: Jeanie Marshall

RSS for Jeanie's articles - Visit Jeanie's website
Jeanie has an M. S. in Human Resource Development concentrating in Organization Development. She consults by phone in the areas of personal and organization development. As an Personal Development Consultant and Coach, Jeanie helps people to find the power within themselves. She uses traditional resources and innovative approaches to help her clients move from where they are to where they want to be. One of her greatest gifts as a consultant and coach is to hold the vision of her clients' true desires until they're able to step into the vision. Her consultation sessions are playful, inspiring, and transformative. She says, "the most joyous part of my professional life is working one-on-one with clients, which is a partnership of co-creative, empowering ideas." She's the author of multiple books, web sites, CD albums and other personal development products. She has been actively involved in the human potential movement for more than twenty-five years. She is a mentor, coach, facilitator, organizational development consultant, personal development consultant, and a writer. Empowering Personal Development, http://www.empowering-personal-development.com
Click here to visit Jeanie's website.
Dashed Line

More from Jeanie Marshall
Brief Grounding of an Idea for Manifestation
The To Do and Did It Lists
Beginnings and Endings Create Life that is New and Fresh
Energy at Work
A Dream Come True Again and Again

Related Forum Posts

Re: HOW TO: Upload Your Picture in 4 Easy Steps Re: HOW TO: Upload Your Picture in 4 Easy Steps
Re: What newsletter program to use? Re: What newsletter program to use?
Question of the Week: What's the first thing you do every mo Question of the Week: What's the first thing you do every mo
Question of the Week: What's your favorite productivity tool Question of the Week: What's your favorite productivity tool
Harsh reality Harsh reality

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Share this post and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
Share for a Cause
Featured Article



Worksheets
By: Evan Carmichael

Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?

8 Powerful Steps to Finding Your Passion

Does your pitch suck?

Create a plan of attach to launch your new business.

8-Cover

Like this page? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Bottom Footer



Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Popular Articles

Being cultrepreneurs

Top 12 Qualities of True Business Professionals

Successful Cold Calling

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.