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The Words That Win Interviews: How to Speak Like the Leader They're Looking For
You've done the prep. You know your achievements. You've researched the company. You walk into the interview room (or log into the Zoom) ready to impress. And then it happens. "So, tell me about yourself." You hear yourself say: "Well, I'm sort of passionate about... " "I think I could be a good fit because..." "I've been trying to develop my skills in..." And just like that, you've undercut yourself before you've even started. The Power of Words The words

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jan 198 min read


Leading Through Layoffs: How Great Managers Handle Tough Transitions
Few leadership moments test your integrity like a layoff. There’s no easy way to tell someone their role is being eliminated. Even when it’s necessary — a restructuring, a funding slowdown, a market shift — it leaves a mark on everyone involved. And while companies often focus on legal compliance, messaging, and PR risk, what really defines a leader in these moments is how they show up. Layoffs aren’t just about who leaves. They’re about who stays.

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 17, 20255 min read


A Tricky Leadership Transition: How to Lead People Who Used to Be Your Peers
Stepping into a management role is already a shift in identity. Stepping into a management role over people who used to be your peers is a different kind of stretch. This is where many new managers get stuck. They know how to do the work. They are less sure about how to lead people who knew them before they were “the manager.”

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 3, 20258 min read


Why High-Caliber Candidates Reject Your Job Offer (Before You Even Make It)
You spent six weeks finding the perfect candidate. She nailed every interview. The team loved her. The offer package was ready. Then came the email: “I’ve decided to pursue another opportunity.” It’s easy to blame compensation, timing, or “the market.” But most of the time, candidates aren’t rejecting your offer. They’re rejecting your process. When the Process Sends the Wrong Signal I had coffee recently with Marcus, a VP of Engineering who’d lost three senior hires in a

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 27, 20255 min read


How to Build a Culture of Accountability Without Micromanaging
Google didn’t scale to 190,000 employees by micromanaging. Here’s how you can build the same kind of accountability. When Connor (not his...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 28, 20257 min read
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