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...
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Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Mar 177 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 95 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 35 min read
Embracing Our Natural Talents: The Shift to Strengths-Based Leadership
Back in the day, we all pretty much followed the same playbook when our kids hit a snag in school: hire a tutor for whatever subject was...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Feb 255 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 177 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 118 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 46 min read
Beyond Leadership: The Coaching Mindset for Personal Growth
Are you feeling trapped in the monotony of everyday routines? Do you find yourself yearning for more meaningful growth in your...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jan 289 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 216 min read
Leadership Mastery: The Power of Feedback and Feedforward
Effective feedback, along with feedforward, forms the bedrock of successful management. Despite its crucial role, mastering this skill is...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jan 152 min read
Maximizing Productivity for Leaders: Top Tips for Effective Time Management
Leaders face unique challenges in managing their time due to their dual role of personal productivity and team oversight. Here's how to...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Jan 88 min read
How to Manage your Boss for People Managers
I have been working with a coachee - we will call him, John - a new people manager with a decade of experience in tech as an individual...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 24, 202310 min read
A Year in Review: Leaving my Corporate Job to Build a Career in Coaching
As we approach the end of another year, it feels like an opportune moment to pause and reflect on my transformative journey of...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 14, 20238 min read
The Career Kaleidoscope & the Art of Portfolio Diversification (a.k.a. Musings on Portfolio Careers)
My upbringing was in a household that lived and breathed the virtues of a stable job, consistency, and diligent work - principles deeply...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Dec 6, 20236 min read
End of Year Strategic Planning and OKRs
As the year winds down, I've noticed that many of my coachees, each a highly successful, accomplished, and driven leader, are feeling the...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 27, 20235 min read
Turmoil and Triumph at OpenAI: Leadership Lessons on How to Use Influence
In my role as a coach for executives and business owners, I frequently address the dilemma of earning respect and loyalty from one's...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 11, 20234 min read
My Biggest Hiring Mistake
At a certain juncture in my management career, I made a hiring mistake that remains etched in my memory. It was the initial phase of my...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 2, 20237 min read
Embracing the Learning Rollercoaster: From Frustration to Mastery
Picture this: You're eager to learn, but feel like you're hitting a wall. Growth? Yes, please—but oh, the dread of starting from scratch....
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...
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