Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Lauren Ready, Owner and Principal Storyteller with Forever Ready Productions and author of the new book, "Ask Like a Leader: A Method for Revealing Deeper Truth and Turning Blindspots into Breakthroughs," who highlights how her background in journalism and broadcast news taught her the importance of asking the right questions and how her current work in mission-driven storytelling led her to write the book and share The Question Lens that she developed and refined over the years. During the interview, Lauren shares her career journey from a high school job shadow to becoming a journalist and eventually founding Forever Ready Productions, a mission-driven storytelling company that has helped nonprofits raise over $18 million through film and video-driven fundraising projects and content creation. She discusses her development of "The Question Lens" framework and breaks down the process, which is shared in "Ask Like a Leader" to help leaders improve communication and connection through better questioning techniques. The book, which draws parallels between leadership challenges and documentary filmmaking, is available in multiple formats, and Lauren continues to work with nonprofits and small businesses through her production company while offering keynotes focused on sharing takeaways from her book.

Journalist's Journey to Mission-Driven Storytelling - Lauren Ready discusses her journey from a high school job shadow to becoming a journalist and eventually transitioning to storytelling through Forever Ready Productions. She explained how her experiences in news reporting led her to focus on impactful, mission-driven storytelling for nonprofits and organizations, and she talks about founding Forever Ready Productions in 2014 as a side hustle. She describes how her husband's business plan for the company led her to take the leap of faith and then transition from a solo operation to hiring staff, eventually helping nonprofits raise over $18 million through film and video-driven fundraising projects and content creation. The company has won Emmys for documentary work and helped change Tennessee law, with Lauren emphasizing their mission to inspire action and transform perspectives through storytelling.

Leadership Through Question-Based Framework - Lauren explains how she developed the concept for her book, "Ask Like a Leader," while hiking in the mountains, realizing that her career in storytelling, journalism, and documentary work was rooted in the ability to ask better questions. She has created a question-based framework called "The Question Lens" to help leaders improve communication, connection, and innovation. The book aims to provide a method for revealing deeper truths and turning blind spots into breakthroughs, drawing parallels between leadership challenges and the process of documentary filmmaking.

OSCARS of Effective Communication Framework - Lauren and Jeremy discuss the framework of the "OSCARS" for effective communication, which includes open-ended questions, specific follow-up questions, clarifying questions, active listening, reflection questions, and sharing. Lauren emphasizes that leaders should focus on the quality of their questions rather than seeking to know everything, highlighting the importance of being present, curious, and open to learning. They agree that better questioning leads to deeper connections, understanding, and empathy, which are crucial for leadership and personal growth.

Overcoming Expertise Blind Spots - Lauren discusses the concept of the Paradox of Expertise, where leaders who are experts in their field may develop blind spots due to their extensive knowledge and experience. She emphasizes the importance of shifting from certainty to curiosity and from knowing to noticing, encouraging leaders to ask questions even when they think they have the answers. Lauren shares a personal example from her experience as a founder, where she accidentally derailed a team member's creativity by providing immediate feedback instead of asking questions. She stresses the need for self-awareness and reflection in leadership roles to recognize one's own role in team issues and to help team members grow.

Lauren's Book and Future Projects - Lauren discusses where individuals can purchase "Ask Like a Leader," which is available on Amazon and her website LaurenReady.com/books, where readers can purchase both paperback and ebook versions. She announced that the audiobook version will be available for free with paperback purchases and separately on Audible in December or January. Lauren encourages listeners to leave reviews and mentions that she is considering writing a follow-up book, particularly to help nonprofit professionals and fundraisers. She also shares information about ForeverReadyLLC.com, where viewers can learn more about her documentary work and services for nonprofits and small businesses.

Visit https://www.laurenready.com/books to learn more.