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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


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 15, 20242 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
Jan 8, 20248 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 14, 20238 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
Dec 6, 20236 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 27, 20235 min read
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