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Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 7, 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
Sep 30, 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 23, 20247 min read
How to Lead Effectively Across Cultures: Lessons in Power Distance and Directness
When a Chinese-American coachee recently shared her experience with the communication style differences between herself and her new...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 16, 20246 min read
Can You Be Friends with Your Employees and Still Be Respected as a Leader?
I’m friends with many people who used to report directly to me. I’ve invited them to my kids' birthday parties, some have become my...

Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Sep 9, 20246 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 2, 20245 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
Aug 26, 20244 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 19, 20245 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 11, 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
Jul 29, 20244 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 24, 20245 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 16, 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 8, 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 1, 20247 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
Jun 24, 20246 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 18, 20245 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 2, 20244 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
May 28, 20246 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 20, 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 13, 20243 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...
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