Building a Portfolio Career: Design a Work Life on Your Terms
Recently, I’ve noticed a significant increase in people reaching out to work with me, eager to make a major shift in how they structure...
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Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Nov 44 min read
Why the “Perfect Day” Routine is Overrated (and What Actually Works)
You’ve heard the hype. Wake up at 4 a.m., and you’ll float out of bed feeling like a feather, totally ready to conquer the world....
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 217 min read
What Managers Need to Go From Firefighting to Multiplying
A few weeks ago, I came across an article in The Economist titled "What Makes a Good Manager?" It sparked something in me, so I brought...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 149 min read
Why Professionals Are Leaving Dublin: My Personal Take After 12 Years
A large majority of my clients are expats from all around the world—some living in Dublin, others considering relocating here. It’s...
Merve Kagitci Hokamp
Oct 75 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 305 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 237 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 166 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 96 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 25 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 264 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 195 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 115 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 294 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 245 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 165 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 17 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 246 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 24 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 286 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...
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