Emily Kitazawa, Author at Shortform Books

Why Asking Questions Is Important (+Useful Techniques)

Why is asking questions important in communication? How can you ask better questions? According to leadership expert Michael Bungay Stanier, asking questions is important in all forms of communication because it helps you to avoid the advice-giving trap. In his book The Advice Trap, he explains the benefits of asking questions versus the drawbacks of offering suggestions. Read on to learn why asking questions is important, including Stanier’s tips for asking better questions.

How to Financially Prepare for a Recession Without Money

Wondering how to financially prepare for a recession? How can you prepare if you’re living paycheck to paycheck? For more than a year, economists have predicted that the U.S. will enter a recession. Many Americans, through no fault of their own, don’t have the financial means to take the steps that many financial experts recommend to navigate a recession. Read on to learn how to financially prepare for a recession without an emergency savings fund.

Teasing vs. Bullying: A Real-Life Example of the Difference

What’s the difference between teasing vs. bullying? What are some examples to explain the difference? In comic artist Raina Telgemeier’s autobiographical novel Smile, she depicts the struggles of adolescence, including preoccupation with appearance and low self-esteem. Her novel shows how teasing can become bullying when Raina endures a difficult time in middle school. Read on to learn more about teasing vs. bullying, based on the examples from Telgemeier’s Smile.

Cliques in High School: An Experience of Social Exclusion

How do cliques in high school affect children? What are some examples of high school cliques? In Smile, graphic artist Raina Telgemeier recounts her adolescence, including the struggles of trying to fit in when she felt self-conscious and excluded. The novel depicts her encounter with cliques in high school and Telgemeier’s experience of social exclusion. Keep reading for an example of Telgemeier’s account of high school cliques from her novel Smile.

What’s the New Space Race & Who Is It Between?

What is the new space race? Who is the race between? What does the future hold for space exploration? Space exploration largely faded into the background after the end of the Cold War, but it’s coming back with a vengeance. Participants in the new space race are vying for the advantages of establishing a space presence that could set them up for future success. Read on to learn more about what’s happening with the new space race and who’s involved.

Smile by Raina Telgemeier: Book Overview

Looking for an overview of the Smile book by Raina Telgemeier? What is the book about? What are the book’s important events? Comic artist Raina Telgemeier’s book Smile takes the reader through Telgemeier’s middle school years and dental struggles. The book sends an uplifting message to parents of adolescents, those who work with them, and those reflecting on their relationships with personal appearance. Read on for a brief overview of the Smile book by Raina Telgemeier.

Converting Office to Residential—Can It Save City Centers?

What’s going to happen to all of the empty office buildings in the U.S.? Is converting office to residential space a solution? Thanks to the remote and hybrid work trends, there’s a glut of office space in major metropolitan hubs that, left unaddressed, could turn big cities into wastelands. Converting vacant office space into residential use is one proposed solution. Read on to learn more about the benefits and challenges of converting office to residential space.

How to Support Body Positivity for Teens as a Parent

How can parents support body positivity for teens? What should you do if your child becomes hyper-focused on their appearance? Raina Telgemeier’s graphic novel Smile sends an uplifting message: confidence comes by focusing less on appearance and more on personal interests. Her novel not only promotes body positivity for teens but also shows parents how to support their teens through adolescent struggles. Read on to learn how to support teen body positivity, based on the first-hand advice in Smile.

Why Do Politicians Lie—Has Post-Truth Politics Taken Over?

Why do politicians lie? Why do we continue to support politicians, even when we know they’re lying? Research shows that Americans will continue to support their preferred political candidates even when they know those candidates lie. Since 2016, the term “post-truth politics” has come into regular use for just this reason. Read on to learn why politicians lie and why Americans tolerate it.

Making Things Happen by Scott Berkun: Book Overview

How to Have an Effective Strategic Discussion

Want an overview of Making Things Happen by Scott Berkun? What does a project manager do? In Making Things Happen by Scott Berkun, he explains what makes a good project leader and how you can better communicate with the people you work with if you find yourself in that role. In the book, Berkun answers the many questions you may have on leadership and project management. Read on for an overview of Making Things Happen by Scott Berkun.