Client Testimonials
BELOW IS WHAT PEOPLE I HAVE WORKED WITH HAD TO SAY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE PARTNERING WITH ME AND THE IMPACT OUR COACHING RELATIONSHIPS HAVE HAD ON THEIR PROFESSIONAL GOALS AND CHALLENGES.
Note: All testimonials shared here are genuine and reflect the personal experiences of my coachees. Their names and identities have been kept confidential to respect their privacy.
WINS: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, CAREER PROGRESS
I LOVE MY 1:1 COACHING SESSIONS WITH MERVE. SHE IS A GREAT LISTENER, HAS AN INCREDIBLE MEMORY, AND IS THEREFORE ABLE TO CONNECT SESSIONS / STORIES AND THOUGHTS TOGETHER.
She helped me break down issues and concerns I've been experiencing related to my career and structure them so they seem easier to tackle. Thanks to Merve's great business acumen and ability to zoom out of and zoom in to topics as relevant, I have been able to think through my work and life in macro and micro levels. I feel changed and have had many a-ha moments along the way that have shone a light on some blind spots, and informed my actions.
I'm very thankful for my coaching relationship with Merve.
J.P.
Lawyer, White & Case
California, USA
WINS: TEAM BONDING, MISSION AND VISION IDENTIFICATION, INTERVIEW PREP
I DID GROUP COACHING SESSIONS WITH MERVE FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS. WE BUILT AN EXCELLENT TEAM AND SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED A COMPLEX PROJECT DURING THIS TIME.
Merve has an innate ability to ask good questions, listen intently, and drill down on areas she spots will be important in achieving the goals. She is highly energetic, inspiring, and encouraging, and has a lot of experience with teams. I really valued her blending exercises from values to strengths, from mission statement / vision identification workshops to branding / marketing brainstorming into our sessions, which were super helpful in completing our project as a well-functioning and highly productive team. Throughout the process, I discovered a lot about myself which benefited me in my job search and
later in the career I chose.
I.B.
INSEAD MBA & Management Consultant, McKinsey
Paris, France
WINS: SELF-CONFIDENCE, UNDERSTANDING MY VALUES AND STRENGTHS
THANK YOU, MERVE, FOR THE WARM, ACCOMMODATING, AND THOUGHTFUL SESSIONS. I REALLY ENJOYED OUR ENGAGEMENT AND FEEL GRATEFUL FOR YOUR BUSINESS SENSE AND NO-FRILLS STYLE.
It was great to be listened to as we worked through some of the mental blocks I was experiencing in my career and personal endeavors, and to be challenged on some of my gremlins! You made me feel valued, strong, and your exceptional business and management sense coupled with your people skills were instrumental in my journey towards my next work-life move.
M.B.
Director, Stripe
Dublin, Ireland
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WINS: PRESENTATION SKILLS, SALES TRAINING
WE ABSOLUTELY LOVED THE PERSONAL BRANDING AND STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS MERVE LED FOR MY TEAM.
Her energy, enthusiasm, and passion for the subjects are contagious. Merve is an excellent facilitator even through video conference which we have found can sometimes be challenging. She knows how to engage the participants, get them off their seats (literally and figuratively!) and get the creative juices flowing. Both the content and the delivery were amazing. We really enjoyed the theory she shared along with the data and stats. The ice-breakers and team building exercises were sprinkled in thoughtfully to not bore the audience. We are bringing back some very interesting learnings through experience. Merve is a pro and we will be back asking for more in the future.
K.W.
Business Owner, Real Estate Industry
New York, USA
WINS: BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, FUNDRAISING PITCH PREP,
MARKETING AND RESOURCE PRIORITIZATION
MERVE HAS A UNIQUE BLEND OF SKILLS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR ANYONE WHO IS LOOKING TO UNBLOCK INVISIBLE BARRIERS AND TAKE THEIR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
She comes with an incredibly strong business background and has an innate ability (I would even call it a sixth sense) to listen and connect the dots. She's been able to identify my mental blockers before I had even realized they were there. Merve has enabled me to realize the business goals that I originally thought were unattainable. I can't recommend Merve enough!
D.C.
Founder, HiiGuru
London, U.K.
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WINS: EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, IMPROVED WORK PERFORMANCE
MERVE UNDERSTANDS THE INTRICACIES OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS REALLY WELL. SHE REALLY HELPED ME ORGANIZE MY LIFE, UNDERSTAND AND DOUBLE DOWN ON MY PRIORITIES AND STOP WASTING TIME ON
WHAT IS NOT IMPORTANT.
Thanks to Merve, my self-confidence improved, and I learned the importance of being action-oriented and finding my flow. I was lost in my thoughts and didn't know where to start but Merve was able to help me put it all on the table and get things sorted. Thanks, Merve!
J.S.
HR Professional, Meta
Singapore
WINS: PROMOTION, SUCCESSFUL SALARY NEGOTIATION
MERVE HELPED ME NAVIGATE SOME PIVOTAL MOMENTS IN MY CAREER DEVELOPMENT. SPECIFICALLY, SHE WORKED WITH ME TO DEVELOP A SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY FOR NEGOTIATING A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN MY COMPENSATION PACKAGE, AS WELL AS A MAJOR PROMOTION.
Her input really was vital during this process because she helped me find a compelling narrative that I can stand behind, and that I use to advocate for myself. She is a great listener with an amazing memory, and her background in tech really made me confident that she understood my complex situation well. I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone trying to develop a comprehensive strategy for their own career development.
M.H.
Engineering Lead, Tech Start-up
Dublin, Ireland
WINS: SALES INCENTIVE PLAN, BUSINESS TURNAROUND, INCREASED PROFITS
THE COMPANY SEEMED TO BE A COMPLETE MESS WHEN I TOOK OVER FROM MY FATHER. I WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE PEOPLE, WITH THE BUSINESS, WITH THE OPERATIONS AND HAD TO ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS AND MANAGE EGOS (MINE AND THE OTHERS!) WHILE DOING SO.
Merve really helped me not only structure my thoughts, but also start to see some of my unknown unknowns and to manage relationships while taking over management of an old and established family-owned enterprise. I especially enjoyed some of the tools we used figuring out my leadership style, as well as building my go-to-market strategy, and sales incentive schemes. Merve is an experienced businesswoman and a thoughtful coach.
B.G.
CEO, Family-owned Enterprise
Istanbul, Turkey
WINS: ORGANIZING AND PRIORITIZING PERSONAL WORK TOWARDS A CAREER GOAL
MERVE HELPS ME BY ASKING THE UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS I DON’T WANT TO ASK MYSELF REGARDING MY WORK LIFE. SHE HAS HELPED ME IN DEFINING MY GOALS, MY PRIORITIES SO THAT I CAN FOCUS ON MAKING
A CAREER CHANGE.
Having a weekly coaching session really helps me decide on short term goals and try to fulfil them. Without the “additional pressure” and encouragement, between day to day work and family life, I would not otherwise be able to dedicate my time and energy into the steps needed to make change happen. Merve keeps me accountable. After this career change is done, I plan to continue working with her to build additional leadership and management skills that I want to focus on developing.
I.P.
CFO, Bethia
Santiago, Chile
WINS: TACKLING PEOPLE MANAGEMENT ISSUES, FINDING MY LEADERSHIP STYLE
I HAVE HAD THE ABSOLUTE PLEASURE OF BEING COACHED BY MERVE AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF MY CAREER, AND SHE HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN MY GROWTH AS A PEOPLE MANAGER.
Merve is a natural at leading conversations with open and often challenging questions, helping me see things from a different perspective, and to think about broad solutions. She creates a psychologically safe environment where I feel comfortable talking about anything and everything - there is no judgment! Perhaps most importantly, it is super apparent from all that she does that Merve genuinely cares about my professional and personal success as well as my well-being which helps me keep my energy up even in difficult moments. I would highly recommend Merve as a coach.
A.B.
Manager, Customer Experience, Google
Dublin, Ireland
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WINS: PEOPLE MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES, TEAM SUCCESS, HIRING, LEADERSHIP CAREER GROWTH
I HAVE HAD THE GREAT FORTUNE OF WORKING WITH MERVE AS MY EXECUTIVE COACH.
Merve's dynamic, empathetic, and visionary coaching style helped me overcome management challenges and unlock my true potential as a leader. Through her insightful questioning and invaluable guidance, I gained the confidence to navigate important decisions and arrive at my own solutions. Merve's commitment to both my personal and professional growth was exceptional, and she supported me in achieving my career goals such as becoming a people manager, hiring and growing talent, building an high achieving team while fostering a culture of trust and individual development. I also availed of the programs Merve pioneered and managed at Google. Under Merve's leadership, she established impactful partnerships and programs that expanded growth opportunities within our organization. Her dedication to enhancing managerial skills led to the creation of a Manager Acceleration program, as well as forging partnerships with esteemed institutions like INSEAD and Kingstown College. I am immensely grateful for the wisdom and guidance Merve has shared with me. I would highly recommend her to all managers and leaders seeking personal and professional transformation.
A.S.
Team Lead, Youtube
Dublin, Ireland
WINS: BOOSTING SELF-CONFIDENCE, STAYING MOTIVATED AND FUTURE-ORIENTED
Merve's mentoring sessions are an absolute delight! As a university student studying computer science and programming, I can't stress enough how invaluable her guidance has been. Not only is she a phenomenal mentor, but she's also an exceptional listener and a genuine accountability partner. Time flies by in her presence, thanks to the contagious energy she brings to every meeting. Navigating the challenges of my academic journey and career aspirations was no easy task, but Merve has been the unwavering pillar of support I needed. With her by my side, I feel like I have a guiding light, showing me the way to set clear goals and take the necessary steps towards achieving them. Her coaching has been instrumental in my growth, motivating me to trust myself and my abilities. One of the most empowering aspects of our sessions has been the way she boosts my self-confidence with her motivating words. It's incredible how she empowers me to face challenges head-on and develop strategies that truly work. Merve's coaching has made me more goal-oriented than ever before, pushing me to strive for excellence in everything I do. I CAN'T EXPRESS ENOUGH GRATITUDE FOR WHAT MERVE HAS BROUGHT INTO MY LIFE. HER PATIENCE IN LISTENING AND ENGAGING IN HEARTFELT CONVERSATIONS HAS BEEN A GAME-CHANGER. I FEEL BLESSED TO HAVE HER AS MY MENTOR, GUIDING ME TOWARDS A FUTURE THAT I AM EXCITED ABOUT. THANK YOU, MERVE, FOR BEING AN EXTRAORDINARY MENTOR AND A TRUE INSPIRATION!
D.K.
Computer Science Student, Iskenderun Technical University
Hatay, Turkey
WINS: BEING MY AUTHENTIC SELF AT WORK, SETTING GOALS IN LINE WITH MY PRIORITIES
I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND MY INTERACTIONS WITH MERVE TO BE VALUABLE & ENJOYABLE AT THE SAME TIME. SHE IS ASTUTE AT OPENING UP NEW PERSPECTIVES, WHILE ALLOWING YOUR OWN POINT-OF-VIEW TO GUIDE ANY GOAL SETTING AND DECISION MAKING. Merve’s guidance helped through different scenarios in my professional life; as a senior member of her team at Google, when I was new to leadership and also later when I was seeking a career shift. She provided well thought out inputs on identifying & leveraging my strengths, how I planned to prioritize my efforts or decide on short & medium term goals. Her inputs always took into account both my personal priorities and career aspirations at each point of time. Merve’s understanding of people dynamics at different levels of an organization are particularly insightful, especially when navigating changes & complexity. She has a very nuanced communication style as well, which is reflected in her coaching discussions and makes them very effective. I would highly recommend Merve to anyone that needs a business, leadership, and career coach.
A.P.
Team Manager, Global Clients, Google
Dublin, Ireland
WINS: HONING MY LEADERSHIP STYLE, MANAGEMENT TIPS AND LEVERAGING STRENGTHS
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF EXPERIENCING THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF GROUP EXECUTIVE COACHING SERVICES, COURTESY OF MERVE'S EXPERTISE. THE GROUP COACHING SESSIONS PROVIDED BY MERVE HAVE TRULY ELEVATED MY PERFORMANCE AS A LEADER AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVE. Merve's ability to tailor the coaching program to suit our specific needs and challenges was remarkable. She understood the intricacies of our leadership challenges and the unique demands of our businesses, making the coaching sessions incredibly relevant and impactful. Merve's coaching fostered an environment of open communication and collaboration, enabling us to address critical issues constructively. The insights gained from the sessions have not only strengthened my leadership skills but also enhanced my overall team synergy at work. I especially loved the hypothetical scenario exercises we did, as well as the Strengthsfinder and Values Matrix exercises. Merve's coaching style is both empowering and motivating. She encouraged us to think outside the box, embrace innovation, and set ambitious yet achievable goals. Her unwavering support and encouragement have been invaluable in driving me to achieve my professional and personal best. Merve's expertise, combined with her genuine passion for helping others excel, makes her an exceptional coach. I am truly grateful for the impact she had on my leadership style and career growth, and I highly recommend her coaching services to anyone seeking to elevate their leadership capabilities and drive lasting positive change. Thank you, Merve!
L.W.
Marketing Director, Heineken
Amsterdam, Netherlands
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WINS: GEOGRAPHICAL MOBILITY, PRIORITIZATION AND DEALING WITH PRESSURE AT WORK,
HITTING CAREER MILESTONES
Signing up to Merve's coaching program has been a transformative experience that I hold in high regard. As a consultant at BCG, the demanding nature of my work often left me seeking guidance to balance professional growth with personal aspirations. Merve's deep listening skills were remarkable – she created an environment where I felt truly heard, allowing me to navigate challenges and explore opportunities with newfound clarity. BEYOND HER LISTENING PROWESS, MERVE'S SUPPORT DURING MY GEOGRAPHICAL MOVE WAS INVALUABLE. TRANSITIONING MY CAREER AND LIFE TO A NEW PLACE BROUGHT ITS SET OF UNCERTAINTIES, BUT MERVE'S COACHING PROVIDED A STEADY ANCHOR THAT HELPED ME SMOOTHLY NAVIGATE THE TRANSITION. Merve's expertise shines in her well-crafted frameworks and exercises. Her workshops were a testament to her thorough understanding of business and management dynamics. Through carefully designed exercises, I gained fresh perspectives and developed actionable strategies that enhanced my decision-making and leadership skills, and boosted my self-confidence. All in all, Merve's coaching program has been a compass guiding me towards my goals. Her holistic approach has truly propelled my personal and professional growth. I wholeheartedly recommend Leadrise Coaching to anyone seeking a tailored, effective, and enriching coaching experience.
C.D.
Consultant, Boston Consulting Group
Dubai, UAE
WINS: PROMOTION, CAREER CHANGE, PEOPLE MANAGEMENT POSITION
J.B.
Team Leader, OKX
Singapore
Working with Merve as my coach has truly been a transformative experience, and I credit her empowering and empathetic coaching approach for my personal and professional growth. Having participated in various coaching programs in the past, I can confidently say that Merve's coaching style has had a unique impact on my life. I'M EXCITED TO SHARE THAT, WITH MERVE'S GUIDANCE, I WAS NOT ONLY ABLE TO ENHANCE MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL CHOICES BUT ALSO ACHIEVE SIGNIFICANT CAREER MILESTONES SUCH AS A PROMOTION AND LANDING A PEOPLE MANAGER POSITION IN A NEW COMPANY. One of Merve's exceptional strengths is her deep understanding of cross-regional dynamics and cultural intricacies. Her insights into these complexities have been invaluable in my professional journey. Her ability to provide thoughtful guidance and tailored support allowed me to navigate these challenges with confidence and grace. Merve's talent for attentive listening and providing constructive feedback is unparalleled. Her coaching consistently fueled my personal and professional development, enabling me to overcome obstacles and reach new milestones. I wholeheartedly endorse Merve as a coach, and I am deeply grateful for the positive impact she has had on my life.
WINS: PREPARING FOR RECRUITMENT AND BOOSTING CONFIDENCE DURING CAREER TRANSITION
Merve has a great set of skills and experiences which have been instrumental in my path to career transition. Her deep expertise as a seasoned leader in the tech industry has provided me with invaluable insights, helping me set realistic expectations and thoroughly prepare for the recruitment process for a senior role. What stands out about Merve is her personalized approach. She didn't just offer generic advice; she took the time to understand my unique situation, focusing on areas where I needed the most improvement. This tailored strategy has been a game-changer, especially in boosting my confidence for job interviews. It's one thing to prepare for an interview, but it's another to walk into it feeling empowered and self-assured – that's the impact Merve has had on me. OUR COLLABORATION HAS NOW EVOLVED BEYOND JUST INTERVIEW PREPARATION. MERVE IS PLAYING A CRUCIAL ROLE IN MY BROADER CAREER DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF PIVOTING MY CAREER PATH, LEVERAGING HER EXPERTISE TO IDENTIFY OPPORTUNITIES AND STRATEGIES THAT ALIGN WITH MY LONG-TERM PROFESSIONAL GOALS.
M.H.
INSEAD MBA, ex-Amazon
Munich, Germany
WINS: BUSINESS GROWTH, STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING, BUILDING HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS
I have gained incredible clarity from working with Merve over the last few months.
AS A COACH, MERVE IS GENTLE BUT FIRM, CHALLENGING YET ENCOURAGING, AND SHE HAS AN UNCANNY ABILITY TO GUIDE YOU TO SEE THE BIGGER PICTURE.
Merve combines her emotional intelligence with her tangible experience as a Google leader, and has coached me to thoughtfully approach problems, tackle difficult situations and make strategic decisions. I highly recommend Merve to entrepreneurs seeking to become stronger leaders and managers!
C.Y.
Founder, Visualist
London, U.K.
WINS: ENHANCING LEADERSHIP SKILLS & SUPPORT WITH LEADERSHIP BOOK
I WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION FOR LEADERS COACHING AND MERVE HOKAMP. AS AN MPA AND LNHA PROFESSIONAL, THE LEADERSHIP WORKSHEETS THEY PROVIDE HAVE BEEN A TRANSFORMATIVE TOOL IN DEVELOPING AND CLARIFYING MY LEADERSHIP SKILLS.
Merve Hokamp's expertise is evident in the thoughtful design of these resources, offering a practical and engaging approach to learning. I highly recommend Leadrise Consulting to any professional seeking effective leadership development tools.
E.M.
Founder & Leadership Coach, Marquetti Consulting
Ohio, USA
WINS: GROUP MENTORING, CAREER PROGRESS
THANK YOU FOR FACILITATING THIS INSIGHTFUL GROUP MENTORING PROGRAM.
Your guidance and expertise have helped me grow alongside my peers, and I appreciate the time you invested in each of us to ensure our collective success.
N.M.
Senior Project Manager, META
Dublin, Ireland
WINS: LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, MANAGER TRAINING
WE HAD THE PLEASURE OF HAVING MERVE AS OUR COACH FOR THE LOW PERFORMERS MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR BAND OF LEADERS.
She is a true professional and possesses a remarkable charisma. It was a delight to have her in our leaders L&D program. Merve offered great insights and shared useful practices with the audience. Her ability to engage with the participants and deliver actionable strategies is truly exceptional.
I highly recommend her training for those who seek to have strong managers and leaders within
their company!
K.L.
HR Manager, Reiz Tech, Lithuania
WINS: INTERVIEW PREP, CAREER CHANGE
I had a great experience working with Merve. HER GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT WERE CRUCIAL IN HELPING ME NAVIGATE MY CAREER PATH.
I highly recommend her to anyone looking for effective and personalized career coaching.
M.F.
INSEAD MBA, Saradar Bank
Beirut, Lebanon
WINS: TEAM DEVELOPMENT, BUSINESS GROWTH, ENHANCED PRODUCTIVITY
Really thankful for Merve’s coaching. She really helped me to clarify my direction when there are millions of things going on in my startup.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, MERVE GAVE ME THE MOMENTUM AND ENERGY NEEDED, GIVING ME NEW INSIGHTS AND PERSPECTIVES.
Sessions with Merve been a real help to both my business and to me personally.
W.T.
Founder, Fourteen AM
London, U.K.
WINS: MANAGEMENT & CAREER ADVANCEMENT
I meet with Merve regularly for coaching sessions aimed at developing my management skills to help direct my career towards leadership roles. Our sessions are focused on identifying and tackling the professional challenges I face, which has been incredibly helpful. We put a lot of thought into each session, to build these skills with an intentional focus to enhance my immediate performance while strategizing for future professional challenges. Merve knows how to create a space that helps me organize my thoughts, figure out my own solutions, and outline action plans. THROUGH ALL THE WORK DONE IN THESE SESSIONS, I’VE GAINED SIGNIFICANT INSIGHTS INTO MY PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR AND A DEEPER SELF-AWARENESS. This process of learning is ongoing, and I see continuous value in working with Merve long-term. Merve’s genuine interest in my progress and her thoughtful approach to supporting my development make this coaching invaluable.
M. V. L.
Principal Machine Learning Engineer, Huawei
Dublin, Ireland
WINS: VISION & PURPOSE, CAREER CHANGE
MERVE HAS BEEN AN INVALUABLE COACH AS I TRANSITIONED FROM A CORPORATE CAREER TO
A PORTFOLIO CAREER.
Together, we navigated through a comprehensive analysis of my strengths and weaknesses, refined my vision and purpose, and developed a strategic and tactical action plan for change. I highly recommend her coaching services to anyone navigating career transitions or facing professional challenges.
B. D.
Non-Executive Director, COO, Arcadis
Dublin, Ireland
WINS: STRATEGIC DIRECTION, BUSINESS TRANSITION, EFFECTIVE DECISION-MAKING
I'VE HAD AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE WITH MERVE!
Unlike other executive coaches, she genuinely cares for you and will spend time to understand who you are so that she can help guide you in the right direction. It's clear she loves her work and loves helping people. Her business knowledge base is remarkably broad and versatile, which means her coaching is adaptable to what you truly need in order to grow. She's a wonderful human being, and I am lucky to have her as a coach!
R.C.
Founder & CEO
Eatmise
New York, USA
