Questions You Should Ask About Every Business Book You Read…

So, exactly why are you reading that business book?

Maybe your days are long and lazy and you simply have nothing else to do – but probably not. Most of us have work days that are consistently busy and that stack of books we want to read is getting pretty tall, so our time is valuable. We want to get something in return for the time we invest in reading. However, as my friend Dan says, "Not everyone who writes a business book has something to say." That brings us to the point. Are you really getting what you want out of the book you’re reading now? It might be time time to move on to the next one. Here are some suggested questions to help you decide.

Which of your professional goals does reading this book support?

• general knowledge?
• improving current skills?
• improving skills needed to advance?

What qualifies the author to give us advice?

• authoritative source?
• relevant work environment?
• real ideas?
• new ideas?
• supporting data provided? Is it statistically significant?
• What relevant work experience does the author's LinkedIn page show?

How is the author’s organization similar to yours?

• culture?
• structure?
• personalities?
• level of training / education?

Did the author recommend clear, actionable steps?

• What personality types could best execute the steps?
• Will management consent be required to implement the ideas?

Did the author make mistakes in their reasoning?

• appeal to improper authority?
• confirmation bias?
• success by luck?
• coolness factor?

Exactly how will …

• …your daily routines change as a result of this book?
• …your daily changes affect your company’s bottom line?
• …you keep from falling back into old habits in the future?
• …you measure the effects of the changes above?

Do the book’s negative reviews on Amazon make any good points?

Clearly, this isn't all the questions you could ask, but it should help you start zeroing in on why you're reading your current book and exactly what you hope to get out of it. And that'll help you decide whether or not you should put your current book down and go find a better one. I'd love to hear what other questions you ask when you read.

Let me know what you think.