I came to New York seeking answers. I wanted to know how the ad industry works, where the magic comes from, how people get involved. I got some answers. Great ones by smart people. But what I learned above all else was how to ask better questions.

I landed in the city armed with my usual collection of prompts: What are you reading right now? What advice helped you early in your career? What do you wish you had done differently?

Don’t get me wrong, these questions can lead to interesting answers. But this week I practiced the art of responsive questions tailored to the unique cultures and processes of different agencies. The responses I got blew me away. I heard new wisdom. I got answers I couldn’t find in any of the advertising books on my shelves. By asking questions I didn’t expect to ask, I learned things I never realized I didn’t know.

Hannah Lewman 05.14.17