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From Tokyo to Toronto: What Global Leaders Know That Locals Don’t
If you’ve never led outside your home country, you’re missing out on one of the most potent leadership accelerators available today:...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 305 min read


International Women’s Day: The Unfinished Business of Equality
Early in my career, I approached a female manager I looked up to, hoping to learn from her experience. She was a few steps ahead of me,...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 107 min read


What's in a Name? Reflections on Diversity, Inclusion, and the World We Live In
I grew up in a monocultural environment. Most of my friends were Turkish, from a similar middle-class background, and I attended Turkish...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 27 min read


The Big Tech Reckoning: Layoffs, AI, and What It Means for Your Career
Free food, nap rooms, wellness walks, unlimited vacation days—these were once the defining perks of working in tech. Along with six- and...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Feb 1712 min read


Spaciousness: The Leadership Superpower We've Forgotten
At the start of 2025, I set an intention that might seem counterintuitive in our hyper-connected, hyper-busy world: to feel more spacious...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jan 314 min read


Air Travel is Worse Than Ever—Here’s What Needs to Change
I remember when air travel used to feel special. Not just tolerable— special . I looked forward to flying. There was a sense of ritual to...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jan 86 min read


Best of 2024: Growth, Achievements, and Learnings
2024 has been a year of remarkable growth, thoughtful reflection, and lessons that will shape the years ahead. It’s been a journey of...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 30, 20246 min read


What Irish Dance Is Teaching My Daughter (and Me) About Leadership, Life, and Resilience
When my 7-year-old daughter decided to try Irish dance a few years ago, neither my husband nor I had any idea what we were signing up...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 25, 20244 min read


Work, Art, and Amore: Leadership Lessons from the Streets of Rome
I recently spent four unforgettable days in Rome with my book club, where we soaked up art, history, and pasta in every possible form....

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 27, 20245 min read


Why Professionals Are Leaving Dublin: My Personal Take After 12 Years
A large majority of my clients are expats from all around the world—some living in Dublin, others considering relocating here. It’s...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 14, 20249 min read


How to Lead Effectively Across Cultures: Lessons in Power Distance and Directness
When a Chinese-American coachee recently shared her experience with the communication style differences between herself and her new...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 23, 20247 min read


Entitlement vs. Self-Drivenness: How Leaders Can Build a Culture of Ownership
Not long ago, a coachee of mine, let's call her Jane, found herself grappling with a perplexing issue. Jane had built a vibrant and...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jul 16, 20245 min read


Friendships, Work, and the Wheel of Life: A Journey Towards Connection
I am spending most of the summer in Turkey again this year. We just arrived a couple of days ago, and it feels great to be back....

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jul 8, 20245 min read


The Science of Incentives and Why America Loves Tipping
We recently watched the first episode of the last season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," which sparked a heated debate among friends from...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jul 1, 20247 min read


Navigating Career Change as an Expat: Embracing the Challenges and Opportunities
Moving to a new country can be an exhilarating yet daunting experience, especially when your career trajectory is impacted by the move....

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 18, 20245 min read


The End of the 9-5: Embracing a Flexible Work Future
The traditional 9-5, five-days-a-week corporate office environment is a relic of the past, and I, for one, am never going back. This...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 28, 20246 min read


Roots and Routes: Musings on the Concept of 'Home'
I've been thinking a lot about the concept of 'home' and what it signifies, as of late. A Turkish language podcast called 'Bir Gidene...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 19, 20237 min read


From Novice to Ninja: 10 Common Mistakes New People Managers Make and How to Avoid them
I was both excited and nervous when I landed my first job as a people manager at Google. I had gotten promoted in my sales job but there...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 20, 202316 min read


The Value of Value: How Charging for My Yoga Classes Transformed the Experience
One of the best things about working at Google is being able to curate and offer your knowledge and skills as part of a program branded...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 29, 20236 min read


Pizza or Pasta? How to Turn Constructive Customer Feedback into an Opportunity to Grow and Thrive
Recently, I noticed some red flags at my daughter’s childcare center - more of some of the worrisome signs that had already presented...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 2, 20239 min read
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