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Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 22, 20237 min read
Navigating Toxic Workplaces: A New Manager's Story of Transformation
When my coachee, a talented tech professional with a stellar track record, stepped into her new role as a manager at the global tech...


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 15, 20235 min read
The Journey of Successful Female Leaders: Balancing Work and Motherhood
Last week, I engaged in separate, insightful conversations with three accomplished female leaders during coaching sessions. Despite their...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 8, 20236 min read
Accelerating your Career: The Dynamic Duo of Mentors and Sponsors
According to Gallup, currently, only 40% of employees report having a mentor in the workplace. Rates are even lower for sponsorship at...


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 1, 20238 min read
What you should do NOW, if your career goal is to become a people manager
I regularly meet with and coach early-career professionals who aspire to step into people management roles. It's inspiring to see them...


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 27, 20234 min read
From IC to Manager: Showcasing Your Leadership Potential on Your CV
Last week I wrote about 10 Common Pitfalls Individual Contributors Must Avoid in Management Job Interviews and received some great...


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 16, 20236 min read
How to Become a People Manager
Are you a seasoned individual contributor with aspirations to step into a leadership role, but finding the path to climb the corporate...


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 10, 20235 min read
The Asshole Genius: Exploring the Myth of the Artistic Temperament
Good (and appropriate) song to listen to while reading this article I recently joined a book club, which was a new experience for me....


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 6, 20235 min read
Thriving in the Age of Transformation: Why Middle Managers Are the Heartbeat of Organizations
I am currently working with a coachee who has been a middle manager in a tech company for 4+ years. The other day, he candidly shared he...


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jul 17, 20236 min read
Inside the Mind of Venture Capitalists: What VCs Look for When Evaluating Startup Opportunities
In the ever-changing world shaped by the Covid-19 pandemic, entrepreneurship has emerged as a powerful force, igniting the dreams of...


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jul 12, 20235 min read
Leaders Don't Climb to the Top, They are Carried to the Top: Tour de France & Thoughts on Leadership
Over the past 10+ days, we have been biting our nails watching Tour de France unfold. Thanks to my husband who is an avid cyclist, I've...


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jul 4, 20235 min read
Demystifying Calibrations and Overcoming Biases in Employee Performance Reviews
Are you feeling anxious and apprehensive about performance reviews? Do you find yourself surrounded by uncertainties and unknowns during...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 20, 202316 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 13, 20234 min read
Managers’ Dilemma: People Manager or Individual Contributor?
Bob, a talented individual contributor, has recently been promoted to his first people manager role. As he takes the reins of his new...


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 4, 202311 min read
Navigating the B2B vs. B2C Conundrum: Insights for Start-up Founders
Are you a startup founder asking yourself this question: Should my business target businesses or direct consumers? If your answer is...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 8, 20237 min read
Getting Your First 100 Customers Part IV: Spread the Word by Doubling Down on Marketing
Welcome to Part 4 of the series, "Getting Your First 100 Customers." By now, you’ve: 1. Established what your business stands for 2....


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Apr 2, 20239 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
Dec 9, 202210 min read
The Art of Curiosity: The Case for George, Melahat, and the Cat
My daughter woke up from a nightmare the other night and called me over. When I asked what had scared her, she said “Mommy, I had a bad drea


Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 2, 20227 min read
Root to Rise: The Grounded Leader
Today’s Gen-XYZ workforce expects a leader they can look up to, they can count on, a grounded leader who will show core strength, confidence
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