Hannah Aster

SEO Team Lead

Hannah is a seasoned writer and editor who started her journey with Shortform nearly five years ago. She grew up reading mostly fiction books but transitioned to non-fiction writing when she started her travel website in 2018. When she's not writing or traveling, you can find Hannah working on home reno projects, crafting, or taking care of plants.

Expertise

Graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor's degree in English and minors in professional and creative writing

John Kotter: Sustain Acceleration to Cement Change

What does Kotter mean by “sustain acceleration”? Why don’t changes tend to sustain themselves? Step 7 of John Kotter’s 8-step change model is to sustain acceleration. Kotter says that you must continue to build upon your changes, otherwise, employees will fall into their old ways of doing things. In his book Leading Change, Kotter provides some actionables and tips on how to do this. Continue below for an explanation of step 7 of the change model.

The Upholder, Obliger, Questioner, & Rebel: Explained

What are the four tendencies from Gretchen Ruben’s book? What are the personality traits, strengths, and weaknesses associated with each tendency? The four tendencies are the Upholder, Obliger, Questioner, and Rebel. Knowing what type of tendency you are can help you find a better job fit, discover your strengths, and understand those around you better. Here is an overview of each of the four tendencies.

Drama-Free Discipline: It’s Not the Same as Punishment

What is the difference between traditional forms of discipline and drama-free discipline? Is punishing your child the same as disciplining them? In their book No-Drama Discipline, Siegel and Bryson believe that many parents misunderstand discipline to mean punishment. However, discipline should be about strengthening their growing brains and forming bonds. Here is the difference between punishment and drama-free discipline.

The Rise of Colonial Nationalism

How did the British colonies find their own sense of nationalism after being colonized? How did Western-style nationalism spread to the East? The term “colonial nationalism” refers to the fight for independence and autonomy in many nations that were colonized by Europeans. Ironically, it was actually the European colonization process that gave many nations the tools to fight back against the Europeans and develop their own sense of nationalism. Continue reading to learn how nationalism spread around the world after the spread of European colonization.

Leading Change: Quotes by John P. Kotter

What does John Kotter have to say about his 8-step model for change? What are some of the most noteworthy passages worth revisiting from Leading Change? In Leading Change, John P. Kotter argues that in a fully globalized and ever-evolving economic environment, successful firms are those that can implement long-term change. This enables them to stay competitive in a rapidly shifting market, respond effectively to new threats, and take advantage of new opportunities. Below is a selection of Leading Change quotes with explanations.

Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies: Communication Tips

What is the preferred communication method of each of the four tendencies? How do you determine which of the four tendencies a person belongs to? In her book The Four Tendencies, Rubin provides some tips on how to effectively communicate with each of the four tendencies (upholder, obliger, questioner, and rebel). She gives advice on things to say that will satisfy all four tendencies and shares questions you can ask someone to determine what tendency they belong to. Keep reading to learn about Gretchen Rubin’s The Four Tendencies framework and how to communicate with each tendency.

Castes in America: Echoes of the Past

Why has there been an increase in the number of suicides and drug-related deaths amongst middle-aged, white Americans? Could the castes in America be part of the reason? When the caste system that mistreats people of color in America was established hundreds of years ago, we couldn’t have predicted the repercussions it would have on the future of white Americans. In her book Caste, Isabel Wilkerson explores how the modern focus on diversity and equality is pushing white Southerners to the edge. Continue reading to learn about the unintended consequences of the castes in America.

John Kotter: Change Management Is a Team Effort

What does John Kotter say about managing change? How is leading change similar to a team sport? Why is it so important to properly support developing leaders? According to John Kotter, change management is a team effort and should not all fall on one individual. This is because many organizations are interdependent, and a change in one department could dramatically affect another one. Here’s what Kotter says about managing change in an organization.

The Nazi Hierarchy Was Inspired by Americans

How did the Nazi hierarchy of race and religion come to be? How was the Nazi social order similar to the caste system in America? According to Isabel Wilkerson, the author of Caste, the Nazi hierarchy of race and religion was inspired by the caste system in America. Specifically, she argues, in designing their caste system, the Nazis took inspiration from the American eugenics movement. Keep reading to learn more about the Nazi caste system and how it was developed.

How to Instill a Sense of Purpose in Your Employees

Why is having a sense of purpose so important in the workplace? What can you do to foster purpose in your team? In their book Who Not How, authors Sullivan and Hardy explain that your personnel will give their best work when they have a purpose in what they’re doing. There are a few things you can do to instill purpose including encouraging collaboration, trusting your team, and avoiding micromanagement. Here’s how to instill a sense of purpose in your team.