Clear Priorities + Confident Leadership
Not sure where to start? Take this 3-minute Priority Assessment.
Achieve measurable gains in team performance, profitability, and satisfaction.
Ideal Clients: CEOs, COOs, CMOs, and operational managers of established companies
provokebetter has meaningful expertise in the Mid-Atlantic serving tech, advanced manufacturing, and creative services firms as they improve efficiency and unlock the full potential of their existing team.
Our clients have already achieved a solid foundation of success, but they’re ready to optimize for sustainable growth. They typically employ 11-50 people and attain $3M to $10M in annual revenue.
With a focus on leveraging the strength of a lean, capable team, these leaders are eager to refine internal systems, develop talent from within, and prioritize high-impact projects or products.
Your Expectations for Engagement: Active Participation
Leaders who commit to consistent engagement—showing up for scheduled sessions, applying the insights gained, and reaching out proactively—experience the most substantial, sustainable growth.
By revisiting assessments, refining solutions, and staying responsive to changing needs, we help your organization continuously improve and maintain alignment with its overarching goals.
Core Belief: Endless, unfocused hustle slowly kills businesses.
A strong, healthy business starts with aligning strategy, leadership, and culture so you can reduce daily busyness and focus on future goals.
As leadership and management consultants, we know sustained growth comes when you professionalize cashflow controls, operations, offerings, talent development, sales, and marketing.
Our Leadership Team
Whitney Hahn, MSML
Leadership Coach and Management Consultant
Whitney Hahn is on a mission to help leaders grow their business while OUTgrowing their busyness.
As the founder and CEO of provokebetter, she and her team have powered breakthroughs and growth seasons for clients in tech, manufacturing, creative services, economic development, national associations, and nonprofits.
Their programs target the critical challenges facing today’s leaders—managing workforce issues, streamlining workflows, and achieving strategic growth—while helping them move from daily firefighting to true operational mastery.
Whitney’s insights make her an in-demand advisor, trainer, and contributor to numerous books and podcasts. She is also a frequent speaker and facilitator at business events and workshops.
She produced an award-winning series of manufacturing recruitment videos in partnership with the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, and an award winning video for tech recruitment for Frederick City Economic Development.
With a Master of Science degree in Business Management and Leadership (MSML), Whitney is a proud member of Key City Rotary, serves or has served on the advisory boards of Leadership Frederick County, techfrederick, and the Frederick Innovative Technology Center, Inc. (FITCI).
Austin Shifflett, MBA
Head of Operations
Austin Shifflett is a pivotal member of our team, where he tirelessly pursues new ways to help businesses work smarter and grow stronger.
Austin’s strategic foresight and operational acumen ensures that our leadership and management consulting services fit exactly what each client needs.
Austin dives deep into research, suggests better ways to do things, leads brainstorming sessions for new strategies, and writes up detailed plans. This preparation means that every meeting is effective and helps our clients move confidently toward their goals.
His wide-ranging experience, from managing startup communications to guiding client strategies, makes him a trusted advisor who really helps shape our clients’ success.
At provokebetter, his most important work often happens behind the scenes. His ability to synthesize information and anticipate future challenges makes him an indispensable resource, guiding clients through complex decisions and toward sustainable growth.
Austin holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University and completed his MBA degree in 2024.
