New York Times Bestseller

“What, What? is a welcome—and joyful—reminder that true wisdom comes from asking the right questions. Should you read this book? Absolutely.”

—Clayton Christensen, bestselling author of How Will You Measure Your Life?

Based on the wildly popular commencement address, this guide to the art of asking (and answering) good questions comes from the former Dean of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education and former University of Virginia President.

Whether we’re in the boardroom or the classroom, we spend far too much time and energy looking for the right answer. But the truth is that questions are just as important as answers, often more so. If you ask the wrong question, for instance, you’re guaranteed to get the wrong answer. A good question, on the other hand, inspires a good answer and, in the process, invites deeper understanding and more meaningful connections between people. Developing your ability for asking the right questions requires us to move beyond what we think we know about an issue or a person to explore the difficult and the unknown, the awkward, and even the unpleasant.

In Wait, What?, Jim Ryan, dean of Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, celebrates the art of asking—and answering—good questions. Five questions in particular: Wait, what?; I wonder…? Couldn’t we at least…?; How can I help?; and What truly matters? Using examples from politics, history, popular culture, and social movements, as well as his own personal life, Ryan demonstrates how these essential inquiries generate understanding, spark curiosity, initiate progress, fortify relationships, and draw our attention to the important things in life—from the Supreme Court to Fenway Park. By regularly asking these five essential questions, Ryan promises, we will be better able to answer life’s most important question: “And did you get what you wanted out of life, even so?” At once hilarious and illuminating, poignant and surprising, Wait, What? is an inspiring book of wisdom that will forever change the way you think about questions.

This bestselling book on lifelong learning reveals a simple yet powerful framework for unlocking potential:

A Framework for Inquiry: Learn the five essential questions—Wait, what?; I wonder...?; Couldn’t we at least...?; How can I help?; and What truly matters?—that form the backbone of a curious and engaged life.
Effective Communication: Move beyond surface-level conversations to forge deeper, more meaningful connections in the boardroom and the living room by mastering the art of the right question.
Enhanced Leadership Skills: Discover why the most effective leaders, from Supreme Court justices to innovative entrepreneurs, prioritize asking insightful questions over simply having the right answers.
A Tool for Personal Growth: Drawn from a wildly popular commencement address, these lessons on curiosity and understanding provide a clear path to navigate life’s biggest decisions and challenges.