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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


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


Why We Get Stuck: Breaking Through Old Habits, Gridlocks, and Patterns
In my coaching practice, I encounter many individuals who feel stuck in some aspect of their lives, whether it's their career, personal...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 24, 20246 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


10 Common Reasons Leaders Seek Coaching & How to Get the Best ROI from your Coaching Relationship
In today's ever-evolving business landscape, effective leadership is more critical than ever. And yet, many leaders find it challenging...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 10, 20247 min read


The Law of Crappy People, Management Debt, and the Peter Principle: Insights from "The Hard Thing About Hard Things"
As leaders, we strive to build high-performing teams and create environments where excellence thrives. However, this journey is filled...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 2, 20244 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


Thoughts on Effective Communication: The Balance Between Confrontation and Avoidance, Radical Candor, and Non-Violent Communication
Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful relationships, both personal and professional. However, finding the right...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 20, 20246 min read


Conquering Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs): Strategies for a Positive Mindset
In the landscape of our minds, there's a constant battle between positive affirmations and negative intrusions, the latter often referred...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 13, 20243 min read


Overcoming Hidden Bias in Career Advancement
I coach leaders who are looking for change in their career paths, whether they are aiming for advancement, seeking a higher-level...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 6, 20247 min read


From Dread to Delight: Reframing Negotiations for Today's Leaders
One of my clients scheduled an additional coaching session last week because she was struggling to wrap her head around an upcoming...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 30, 20245 min read


Why I Love People Management
I work closely with a diverse group of people managers, ranging from those just stepping into their first leadership role to seasoned...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 23, 20245 min read


How I Got into People Management at Google
On my first day at Google, I quickly learned that the freedom to create your own path wasn't just talk—it was the real deal. But with...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 14, 20243 min read


On Grit: How Leaders can Cultivate High-Performing Teams
One of my coachees, who comes from a stringent corporate environment and is now leading their own startup, recently reflected during our...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 8, 20245 min read


Embracing the Learner Mindset: Lessons from my First time Skiing
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you're the novice among experts? That's exactly how I felt on my recent family ski...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 30, 20245 min read


Choosing Excellence over Mediocrity
Recently, I had the honor of speaking to over 50+ bright students at a prestigious university in Turkey. Amidst their insightful queries...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 25, 20244 min read


Peacock vs. Crane: Redefining Success Beyond Visibility at the Workplace
Roughly a dozen years ago, my then-manager complimented my work but noted my career advancement hinged on improving my "visibility."...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 17, 20247 min read


The Silent Career Killer: How to Spot and Stop Workplace Gaslighting
Gaslighting at work is a sneaky, under-the-radar kind of manipulation that can mess with your head big time, affecting everything from...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 9, 20245 min read
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