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...
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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...
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
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 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 29, 20236 min read
The Value of Value: How Charging for My Yoga Classes Transformed the Experience
One of the best things about working at Google is being able to curate and offer your knowledge and skills as part of a program branded...
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