Guest Opinion: 7 questions to transform your style
 Our technology-filled lives provide us more access than ever before to career advice. What I’d like to share with you is a piece of advice that has stood the test of time throughout my career.
About 20 years ago, I heard Carol Bodensteiner speak on the importance of being a “counselor” vs. an “order taker.” At the time, Carol was president of CMF&Z Public Relations and she was someone I respected greatly — I still do! Since I aspired to be like her, this theme struck a chord with me, I applied the advice, and have since experienced what it can make possible.
A counselor is an adviser who is entrusted to help develop strategies, whereas an order taker is someone who is assigned tasks and fulfills them — no questions asked. Therein lies the secret of success for being a counselor: You must be comfortable asking questions.
For example, a client or internal department may request your help producing a video. Rather than running off to produce the best video you can, stop and ask any or all of these seven questions:
Only after asking good questions will you get to the heart of what strategically needs to be done, rather than simply fulfilling a request. In this example, you may not end up producing a video at all, but instead a series of internal meetings followed up by targeted email messages that are not only more effective at educating this particular audience, but also are more budget-friendly.
Smart questions not only provide for a more effective approach, they also teach others how strategic guidance, results-focused creativity and intentional marketing will help achieve results with greater impact. Once this happens, you will have gained valuable insight into the best possible solutions, proven you are a thoughtful person, and more importantly, engaged your client as a partner in the process.
The next time you receive a request, assignment or project, I hope you will try this approach and let me know how it goes. I predict asking questions will help you achieve better results, gain the respect of others, and possibly even earn a seat at the executive table during future strategic discussions.
Indeed, Carol’s advice has stood the test of time and I am honored to be sharing it with you, the next generation of leaders making our companies and communities even stronger.
Des Moines native and advocate Emily Abbas joined Bankers Trust in 2014 as the bank’s first chief of Ssaff. About six months later, she also agreed to serve as chief marketing officer, leading marketing and communications efforts for the bank. Emily currently serves as chair of Drake University’s National Alumni Board, chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s Communications Board, on the governor’s STEM Advisory Council, and on the board of directors at the Des Moines Community Playhouse and the Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University. She recently was named the “2016 Meredith Woman of Influence” by the Des Moines Business Record.
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