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How to Use Storytelling to Lead, Inspire, and Win in Business
In one of the most iconic storytelling examples from Mad Men , Don Draper faces a tough task: Sell a slide projector from Kodak — the...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 264 min read


Scaling Your Business Without Losing Soul
What if success didn’t have to look loud? There’s a particular brand of business success we’ve all been conditioned to admire: 📈...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 214 min read


The Skills Shortage Is Real—Here’s How Smart Companies Are Responding
Many of the leaders I coach are facing the same challenge: their workforce isn’t keeping up with the pace of change. The skills that were...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 165 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


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


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


Painting Your Path: Year-End Reflections and Strategies to Color a Brighter 2025
As we approach the end of the year, it’s natural to pause and take stock. Among my community of coachees, leaders, and professionals (and...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 22, 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


The AI Buzz and Leadership: Augmentation, Not Automation
"You’re better than ChatGPT," she said. "And ChatGPT is pretty good." Last week, during a mock interview session, a coachee threw this...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 18, 20244 min read


Building a Portfolio Career: Design a Work Life on Your Terms
Recently, I’ve noticed a significant increase in people reaching out to work with me, eager to make a major shift in how they structure...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 12, 20245 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


My 40th Birthday, Lisbon, The Food Temple and Rediscovering Purpose and Passion in Leadership
I just celebrated my 40th birthday with a group of close friends in Lisbon, and it was all the things I had hoped it would be (and...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 7, 20245 min read


Why You Need to Stop Hiding Behind Modesty and Embrace Your Superpowers
We’ve all been there—caught in that uncomfortable space between wanting to showcase our talents and not wanting to come off as arrogant. ...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 30, 20245 min read


Investing in Your Own Growth: The Best Decision You'll Ever Make as a Leader
Remember when we were kids? We'd fearlessly dive into new adventures—whether crafting a messy art project, learning an instrument, or...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 9, 20246 min read


Getting Comfortable with Rejection: Rethinking the Power of “No”
With my birthday just around the corner, I’ve been planning a getaway to Lisbon, one of my favorite cities, with a few close friends....

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 2, 20245 min read


Bouncing Back from Layoffs: A Guide to Resetting Your Career in 2024
Silicon Valley continues to experience significant upheaval, as the tech industry's push for efficiency shows no signs of slowing down....

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Aug 26, 20244 min read


How to Manage an Employee Out: A Leader’s Guide to Compassionate and Professional Transition
Last week, during a coaching session with one of my coachees, we covered a topic that most leaders dread — managing an employee out. My...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Aug 19, 20245 min read


The 10 Toxic Boss Types and How They Hurt Your Business
During a leadership workshop I led last week, the conversation turned to toxic bosses—a topic many of us, unfortunately, know all too...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Aug 11, 20245 min read


Performance vs. Authenticity: Can They Co-Exist?
One of my long-time coachees, let's call him Mike, recently faced a common leadership dilemma: Can you be humble and honest while also...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jul 29, 20244 min read


Leadership Lessons from the Pool: Nature vs. Nurture
In a recent pool adventure, I watched my daughter and her friends navigating their colorful world with a level of leadership that was...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jul 24, 20245 min read
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