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Authenticity Fatigue: When "Be Yourself" Becomes Exhausting
I was sitting in a coffee shop last week, eavesdropping on two women at the next table (don't judge me—it's occupational hazard as a...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jun 197 min read


Will AI Take Over Our Jobs? What the Rise of AI Means for Senior Leaders and Middle Managers
You’ve seen the headlines. You’ve heard the hallway whispers. And if you’re a senior leader or middle manager, you’ve probably asked...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 265 min read


What's the Story with Dubai Chocolate? And What It Teaches Us About Marketing, Soft Power, and the Psychology of Hype
Some trends build slowly. Others gather pace quietly, then seem to be everywhere all at once. That’s what happened with Dubai chocolate....

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 155 min read


Should You Bootstrap or Fundraise? It Depends — But One Thing Always Matters
As a startup coach and  Loyal VC  advisor I spend a lot of time with founders. Some are knee-deep in pitch decks. Some are wondering if...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
May 84 min read


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


Why Your Managers Are Burning Out—And What You Can Do About It
Two weeks ago, I ran a leadership training with a group of newly promoted managers at a well-known global tech company. The group was...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 236 min read


How to Manage Your Boss (And Why It’s a Win-Win)
Most managers aren’t natural leaders. Only 1 in 10  people have the innate talent to manage effectively (Gallup). 58% of new managers...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Feb 226 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


The Tragedy in Kartalkaya Ski Resort: A Reflection on Leadership, Responsibility, and the Cost of Negligence
On January 21, 2025 , I woke up to the devastating news of a fire at the Grand Kartal Hotel in Kartalkaya, a cherished ski resort in...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jan 265 min read


Meta's New 'Free Speech' Move: Transparency or Corporate Self-Preservation?
Mark Zuckerberg's recent statements on freedom of expression and censorship have stirred up a necessary conversation—but let’s be clear:...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jan 134 min read


How to Hire Great Talent (and Keep Them Motivated Through Tough Times)
At a recent startup roundtable I hosted, one question stood out above the rest: “How do you hire great talent when you’re competing with...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 19, 20245 min read


From Reflection to Execution: A Step-by-Step Guide to Annual Planning
As the year comes to a close, the buzz around New Year’s resolutions hits its peak. Gym memberships skyrocket, planners fly off the...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 9, 20246 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


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


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


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 Doer Leader and The Case for Having a Bias for Action
Google's Manager Feedback Survey includes a question about whether a manager has the technical skills necessary for effectively managing...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Feb 25, 20245 min read


How to Master Authentic Networking for Leaders
Networking stands as a critical component in a leader's toolkit, playing a key role in the advancement of careers and the success of...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Feb 17, 20247 min read


How the SCARF Model Drives High-Performing Teams
Leadership is a journey that begins the moment you step into the professional world, whether you're at the starting line or eyeing the...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Feb 11, 20248 min read


Management Decision-Making: Mastering the Art and Science
The role of a manager fundamentally revolves around a continuous cycle of decision-making. Whether it’s exchanging information, analyzing...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jan 28, 20249 min read
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