You're a high performer, working hard, pushing through. 

You're expected to lead teams, hit ambitious quarterly targets, and make high-impact decisions. 

All while trying to:

• Have a life and be present for your family
• Eat healthy between back-to-back meetings
• Keep your energy up without reaching for another coffee
• Sleep well with racing thoughts about tomorrow’s pitch
• Maintain relationships despite rescheduling dinner plans

But your energy is depleting faster than your to-do list.

In 2019, I was you - the typical corporate high-achiever. Leading global change initiatives. Always "on." Ignoring every signal my body sent. The perfect professional on the outside, exhausted on the inside.

My wake-up call wasn't gentle - it forced me to rethink everything. But I never imagined that burnout would lead to my biggest breakthrough.

And that breakthrough sparked a mission. I founded Rising Yellow with one belief: We all deserve more energy, and every day is a new opportunity to make better decisions for our health.

Here’s how I turned it around:

• Took full ownership of my health journey
• Stopped trying to fix everything at once
• Turned every setback into an experiment
• Studied functional medicine and behavior science

Now, I guide professionals to do the same and reclaim their energy and integrate healthier habits into their demanding lives. I leverage my 15+ years of corporate experience and expertise in functional medicine and coaching to co-create practical, personalized solutions. 

Most people know what they “should” do. But the real challenge is closing the gap between your "intentions" and "actions".

Interested?

📌3 Ways to Work Together:

1. 1:1 Coaching Program 
   • 5 focused sessions
   • Personalized health goals
   • Sustainable habit building

2. Group Coaching Program - The Energy Shift
   • Deep dive into 5 lifestyle factors (diet, exercise, sleep, relationships, rest, and more) over six weeks
   • Weekly actionable strategies
   • Community support

3. Corporate Inquiries
   • Project work
   • Brand partnerships 
   • Training/Keynotes/Team Workshops

🎁 Free Resources
   • The Energy Shift Newsletter 
   • The Peak Energy Guide 
   • LinkedIn content

✨ Remember: we’re not here just to get through the day - life feels better when you have the energy to enjoy it.

Ready to collaborate? Let’s connect and build a plan that works for you. I’m one DM away. 💛

More info is available here:

https://risingyellow.com/

Gözde İmamoğlu

We're all dopamine addicts. 

The question is what kind.

Fast dopamine is easy. Scroll, click, swipe. The hit is instant. The crash is guaranteed. And five minutes later, you're back for more.

Slow dopamine is different. It’s the reward you feel after finishing a long book. 

The pride in cooking a meal from scratch. The glow from a real conversation. It asks more of you, but the reward actually lasts.

Thank you to my friend Colby Kultgen for this reflection. Make sure to follow him. 

Here’s the problem:
Most of us are so hooked on fast dopamine that slow dopamine barely registers anymore. 

Silence feels uncomfortable. 
Boredom feels painful.

If something isn’t instantly stimulating, we bail.

The solution isn’t to try and go cold turkey.
It's to slowly change where you’re sourcing your dopamine from.

This week, pick one fast dopamine habit and replace it with something from this list. 

Just one swap. 

Instead of scrolling before bed, read a chapter. 
Instead of background noise on your walk, try silence. Instead of takeout, cook one meal.

Your brain will resist. It'll tell you this is boring, that you need your phone, that you should quit. That's not failure. That's withdrawal.

Stay with it anyway.

Then next week, replace another one. And another. 

You're not trying to be perfect. You're trying to retrain your system to recognize what satisfaction actually feels like.

The shift happens slowly. But it does happen.

🔄 Repost if it resonates.

Gözde Imamoglu

Follow me for career, well-being, and personal growth strategies | 15+ years driving change for people & workplaces | Get the energy to match your success | Board-certified functional medicine health coach

I used to think leading meant directing everything.

Turns out, people thrive when you let them own it.

In the past I’d give detailed instructions, check in constantly, and make sure everything was done “the right way.”

It drained me - and everyone around me. 

Then someone on my team took a work package I’d been overthinking and delivered something far better than what I had in mind.

All I did was give them the goal and step back.
That’s when I realized when someone owns the outcome they start thinking differently. 

They care. They go extra mile.

Here’s how I build trust that creates ownership:

1/ Start with the why, not the how
↳ Explain the goal and why it matters. Skip the step-by-step instructions.

2/ Set clear expectations upfront
↳ Define what success looks like. Be specific about deliverables and deadlines.

3/ Give resources, not directions
↳ Ask "What do you need to succeed?" instead of "Here's exactly what to do."

4/ Step back and resist the urge to jump in
↳ Let them figure it out. Challenges build ownership.

5/ Celebrate the outcome, not the method
↳ If they hit the goal their way, that's a win. Period.

The less I control the how, the better the results become. People exceeded expectations I didn’t know I had.

Leadership isn’t about control.

It’s about empowerment. 

P.S. Does your leadership give people energy? (Be honest 👀 )

🔄 Repost if you believe in trust-based leadership.
➕ Follow Gözde Imamoglu for more on leadership, growth, and high-energy teams.

“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.”

We often try to earn self-worth.

More hours; more certifications. 
More, more, more, more. 

Thank you to my friend Dr. Heather Maietta for this reflection. Make sure to follow her. 

A title change might make us feel good in the moment.

But it doesn’t erase feelings of low self-worth. 

Choosing to see yourself as credible before the world fully does.

That’s self-love. 💛 

Self-love shows up in high-impact moves like:

➠ Not minimizing your wins
➠ Replacing “I got lucky” with “I earned this”
➠ Owning your ideas
➠ Negotiating from a place of self-respect

I make it sound simple.
But it’s not.

Practicing this type of advocacy creates a different relationship with yourself.

One that lets you become the person you’ve been working so hard to be.

Give yourself a big hug. 🫶 
You deserve it!

🔄 Send this to your network if you agree! 
➕ Follow Gözde Imamoglu for more on leadership, growth, and high-energy teams.
 
Quote: Brené Brown

How to stay calm when pressure hits.

Use these 9 phrases👇 

When deadlines hit and stakeholders push for answers, most of us flip into panic mode.

 ↳ We react too fast.
 ↳ We agree too quickly.
 ↳ We let emotion take control.

The real difference between thriving and surviving at work?

The ability to pause before you respond.

Here are 9 phrases that help you stay in control during high-stress moments:

1️⃣ “Give me a second to think this through.”
 ↳ Take three slow breaths to reset your focus.

2️⃣ “I want to make sure I get this right.”
 ↳ Plant both feet on the ground to steady your nervous system.

3️⃣ “Help me understand what’s most important.”
 ↳ Lean in slightly to stay engaged while you process.

4️⃣ “I can sense this feels urgent, what’s the real deadline?”
 ↳ Notice where tension shows up in your body.

5️⃣ “Let’s zoom out for a minute.”
 ↳ Picture the conversation from a distance to reduce emotional load.

6️⃣ “I need a moment to wrap my head around this.”
 ↳ Count to five before replying.

7️⃣ “What does a good outcome look like for you?”
 ↳ Visualize the desired result to shift into problem-solving mode.

8️⃣ “Let me repeat what I’m hearing to make sure I’ve got it.”
 ↳ Paraphrasing buys time and creates clarity.

9️⃣ “What are our options here?”
 ↳ Drop your shoulders and unclench your jaw.

You get to choose how you show up - especially under pressure.

P.S. Which phrase will you try this week?

🔄 Repost to help someone handle pressure better.
💛 Follow Gözde Imamoglu for more on protecting your energy and mental space.

Perspective is your hidden power.
99% of people never use it.

During the hardest year of my life, 
I thought everything was falling apart.

Years later, I realized
everything was falling into place.
I just couldn't see it yet.

Perspective isn't about being positive.
It's about being precise.

Thank you to Dr. Elizabeth Lindsey for this inspiring reflection. Follow her. 

Watch what happens when you shift your lens:

1. Obstacles become opportunities
Every closed door teaches you to build your own.

2. Struggles become strength
The weight that nearly breaks you builds muscles you didn't know you had.

3. Setbacks become stepping stones
Each failure shows you what doesn't work.

4. Rejection becomes resilience
Every "no" redirects you. It’s protection in disguise.

5. Shadows reveal hidden truth
Your shadows hold your compass. Pay attention.

6. Mistakes become masterclasses
Your biggest errors become your greatest teachings.

7. Fears become fuel for courage
What scares you most shows you where to grow.

8. Pain becomes purpose
Your deepest wounds can be the most valuable gifts.

After decades of working with leaders around the world, I've learned:

The hardest season prepares you for your highest calling.

This isn't wishful thinking.
It’s strategic thinking.

Nothing is happening to you.
Everything is happening for you.

You just need the right lens.

Your current struggle isn’t your story's end.
It's your story's turning point.

Choose your lens wisely.
Your future depends on it.

Share this with someone who needs it.

🔄 Repot if you found this valuable.
➕ Follow Gözde Imamoglu for more insights.

You can optimize 100% of your calendar...
and still run on 0% energy.

You know that feeling when you worked all day…and still don’t feel accomplished?

That’s not a time problem.
That’s an energy problem.

Here are five practical ways to manage and protect your energy this week:

1️⃣ Map your energy peaks
Track when you feel most focused, creative, or drained for 3 days. Then schedule tasks accordingly: deep work during peaks, admin during dips.

2️⃣ Build in micro-recovery
Between meetings or tasks, take 5 minutes to step away. Walk, breathe, stretch. Small resets prevent big crashes.

3️⃣ Audit your energy drains
What tasks, people, or habits leave you depleted? Eliminate, delegate, or batch them when your energy is higher.

4️⃣ Protect your morning momentum
Don't start your day reacting (emails, Slack, social media). Start with intention. One meaningful task before the chaos begins.

5️⃣ End your day deliberately
Close loops. Write down tomorrow's top 3 priorities. Your brain needs permission to stop. Give it that signal.

When you manage energy instead of time, you don't just get more done. You feel better doing it.

P.S. This builds on my circadian rhythm framework. If you haven't grabbed my free guide, it breaks down exactly when to do what for maximum energy → https://lnkd.in/dSyrer5Z

🔄 Repost this if you're done with burnout productivity.
➕ Follow Gözde Imamoglu for more on energy, performance, and working smarter.

5 Practical Steps To Protect Your Energy All Week

I made the most intentional gift list. 🎁

Because every year, I feel the same stress.

I promise myself I’ll keep it simple - but somehow I still end up scrolling, comparing, and thinking, “Will they even like this?”

And when I first experienced Christmas gift madness in Germany, I was honestly shocked.

As someone who loves giving gifts in unexpected moments, the December chaos felt… a lot.

Of course, I did what everyone else did.

But by the end of it, all my energy was gone - not because I didn’t care, but because I was trying so hard to find something that actually meant something.

So this year, I changed my approach.

I made a list of 25 intentional well-being gifts - for every personality, every budget, and every kind of love language.

Here are the categories 👇

💛 Health & Wellness
🌿 Growth & Learning
🌙 Sleep & Relaxation
🏡 Home & Environment
🎹 Connection & Experiences

Gifts like these say:

“I care about how you feel. I want you to have more energy, more peace, and more joy.”

This weekend, think of someone you love.
 
Ask yourself:
“What would bring more energy, joy, or calm into their daily life?”
 
Start there.

I shared the full 25-item list in my newsletter - and why each one supports energy and well-being.

If you want all the details, here’s the link to read it: https://lnkd.in/dJ4AvFfv

🔄 Repost for others.
💛 Follow Gözde Imamoglu for more.

The Peace OS by Martina Kikic

Prestige grows where presence is guarded. Reputation shapes the boardroom’s belief.

Through The Peace OS™, I work privately with CEOs, founders, and executives to:

→ Strengthen reputation
→ Elevate presence
→ Secure legacy

Where I deliver results:
— Online, in the boardroom, and in high-stakes decisions.

My promises:
→ Confidential partnership on every challenge
→ Personal brand strategy for visibility and trust
→ Executive messaging for boards and investors
→ Presence and body language mastery for lasting authority

What I’m known for:
→ Protecting legacy through global visibility
→ Refining LinkedIn presence to command respect
→ Elevating executive presence to inspire trust
→ Strengthening CEO reputation with absolute discretion

The outcomes:
→ Authority driving boardroom decisions
→ Reputations aligned with real power
→ Investors backing confident leaders
→ CEOs recognized in every room

Your hidden advantage:
→ Legacy secured, quietly and confidently
→ Influence that scales without noise
→ Authority that endures beyond titles

I collaborate with CEOs, founders, and mission-driven teams—privately or in-house—where leadership, strategy, and discretion shape the future.

https://martinakikic.com/

Founder and CEO

Fasset

Dubai skyline glowing outside my window. Another crucial decision.
But this isn’t your average story.

This is about a transformative journey amidst the chaos of blockchain evolution.

What happened after would change everything:

The Breaking Point
→ 40% of decisions draining energy
→ Leaders burned out, silently suffering
→ Innovation stalled under pressure

Then we built something different.

The Transformation Protocol
→ Streamlined decision frameworks
→ Crisis-ready leadership systems
→ Peak performance architecture

The Breakthrough
→ Decision fatigue plummeted 40%
→ Secured partnerships with Dubai FinTech Summit
→ Mastered global blockchain deployment

But the real magic?

The Hidden Victory
→ Leaders finding peace in chaos
→ Teams thriving across time zones
→ Growth without burning out

This became The Peace OS™️ Leadership System.

Because elite performance shouldn't cost your soul.

Key Learning: Your leadership legacy isn't built on endless hustle. It's built on sustainable systems that let you breathe while you build.

Performance Strategist | Acting as a Chief of Staff

HNS Investment | Single Family Office 

Midnight strategy call. Two continents.
One burning question:

"How do we scale without breaking?"

What happened next became our playbook:

The Wake-Up Call
→ Operations spanning 5 time zones
→ Decision bottlenecks everywhere
→ Teams drowning in complexity

Something had to change.

The Systems Revolution
→ Built rapid-scaling frameworks
→ Created cross-border playbooks
→ Designed crisis-proof protocols

The Breakthrough Moment
→ Decision speed up 40%
→ Multi-jurisdictional harmony
→ Leaders actually sleeping again

But here's the real gold:

The Hidden Pattern
→ Chaos needs structure, not control
→ Speed needs systems, not stress
→ Growth needs guidance, not force

The Ultimate Lesson
→ Excellence isn't about perfection
→ It's about sustainable systems
→ That bend but never break

Today, this framework helps leaders scale without sacrificing their soul.

Truth: Your next level of growth isn't about working harder. It's about building systems that work harder for you.

Strategic Leadership Advisor

Big Triumph

2 AM. A CEO admitted:
"I'm winning at work, but losing at life."

It changed everything. Here's what I taught him:

The High-Performance Paradox
→ Peak results crushing wellness
→ Success bleeding energy
→ Achievement at what cost?

Then we flipped the script.

The Integration Protocol
→ Evidence-based wellness systems
→ Sustainable performance frameworks
→ Leadership practices that breathe

The Transformation
→ Energy levels stabilized
→ Decision quality enhanced
→ Peace amid pressure

But here's the game-changer:

The Hidden Formula
→ Rest isn't weakness
→ Boundaries create freedom
→ Stillness breeds clarity

The Leadership Truth
→ Peak performance isn't about pushing harder
→ It's about pulsing between power and peace
→ Excellence flows from renewal

Now? That CEO leads with both strength AND serenity.

Reality Check: Your next level of success isn't found in another hustle strategy. It's in building sustainable systems that let you thrive, not just survive.

Executive Performance Coach & Wellness Strategist

Al-Futtaim

Gained invaluable leadership insights while serving as trusted advisor to one of the Middle East's most influential business leaders (Forbes Middle East #2, Forbes Global #762). This unique vantage point provided deep understanding of executive decision-making under extreme pressure and the real challenges of maintaining peak performance at the highest levels of business.

Core Impact:
• Witnessed and supported critical decision-making processes that shaped multi-million dollar outcomes
• Gained unique insights into how top leaders maintain composure and effectiveness during crisis situations

This experience now informs The Peace OS™ Leadership System, helping executives balance exceptional performance with personal wellbeing.

Strategic Advisor to Forbes-Listed Chairman

Upgrading Leadership for CEOs & Execs | Scaling into Peaceful Power | UAE #1 Leadership Coach | 12+ yrs working with CEOs | Philanthropist

90% of leaders communicate daily. 
Only 10% are truly heard.
The strongest voices outlive the noise.

→ You guide teams, trust, and growth.
→ Your message deserves real reach.
→ Yet online, attention slips away.

Your expertise holds weight offline.

It should command a presence online.
You don’t need more content.
But communication that lands.

Words that build authority and trust.

→ From GCC boardrooms to U.S. offices.
→ I’m Martina Kikic, UAE #1 Leadership Advisor.
→ I’ve spent 12+ years advising CEOs and founders.

I design personal brands.

Across 45+ nationalities and leadership styles.
Reputation grows through the signals you send.
And every message shapes how you’re remembered.

I built with AI-driven communication frameworks.

Saving time while preserving authenticity.

My system has three pillars:

→ Positioning: Build visible credibility.
→ Content Systems: Create lasting presence.
→ Communication Strategy: Align message and influence.

The outcome: a brand that opens doors.

Authority that earns trust and engagement.

“Martina refined my voice and influence.” - Founder, Dubai

Subscribe for weekly insights.

Branding. Communication. AI prompts.
Keep your voice authentic.

👉 https://martinanewsletter.kit.com

Martina Kikic

"You're not capable, you can't do that."

Guess what: I did anyway.

Whenever I motivate others, I say: that must be a bold move, someone telling you what you can or can't do.

The real question is:

• Do you believe everything that you hear?
• Who dares to determine your capabilities?

You can start Monday by daring yourself.

• Once you start believing in yourself, others will, too.
• You're unique; no one else can't exist like you.

Imagine how many are mirroring you. Saw a guide in you.

• I know you have blue days.
• So do I.

Lucky you, all other trolls tell you how you can't do something, are having blue days, too.

Do you see it now?

The willpower is in you. Not them.

📌 P.S. Do you know someone scared of opinions?

(if it's a helpful repost, it's like gold for me and others ♻️)

Video source: spaceofcinema on Instagram

Personal Brand & Communication Strategist | UAE #1 Leadership Advisor | I Teach AI Prompts (so you don’t sound like AI wrote it)

My client makes more in a day than I make in a year.

And yet, he needs me more than I need him.

He took our call from his private jet.
While I was rationing gas money to get through week.
The awkwardness sat between us like a third person.

Then he said something that broke me.

"I hired you because you're not me."

His world: First-class problems. Exit strategies.
My world: Grocery math. Rejections. Survival mode.

But he can't reach real people anymore.

Success isolated him from his own people.
Every one of his posts sounds like AI wrote it.
Every his "authentic" story feels manufactured.

He needs what money can't buy.

I know what keeping lights on feels like.
I know the shame of declined cards.
I know fear that keeps you up till 3am.

My struggles are his credibility.

The CEOs flying private don't need more strategy.
But someone who remembers being human.
Someone whose scars are still tender.

He pays me to be his bridge back to earth.

Because I still shop sales.
Still check bank balance before coffee.
Still feel every rejection in my chest.

My "small" life is his missing piece.

He has everything except connection.
I have connection because I have nothing else.

The market doesn't trust perfect anymore.

It trusts the broken brave enough to lead anyway.

📌 What struggle makes you irreplaceable?

♻️ Repost if broken beats polished.
Follow Martina Kikic for truth that moves markets.

Personal Brand & Communication Strategist | UAE #1 Leadership Advisor | I talk about AI prompts (so you don’t sound like AI wrote it)

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, writing on LinkedIn post. Martina with long blonde hair, round black glasses, and a calm smile sits at a round booth in a modern café. She's wearing a sleeveless gray top with a white draped layer and colorful beaded bracelets, and rests her hand near her face. In front of her is a designer-style handbag and two menus on the table. Overlaid text reads, "A client told me: 'I hired you because you're not me.'” The caption reflects on a powerful client moment where the author, despite financial struggles, realizes her lived experience is exactly why high-powered CEOs hire her. Her authenticity and emotional depth bridge the gap that wealth and strategy cannot fill, making her irreplaceable in a world that increasingly values connection over perfection.

You scroll like a ghost on LinkedIn. 

I get it, I used to do it the same way.

Mark had a VP title. Six-figure silence.
While his soul ached to speak.
"What if they judge?" won.

So he typed comments. Deleted them.
Wrote posts. Saved as drafts.
Had opinions. Swallowed them whole.

Until he became a walking vegetable.

Rock bottom has a gift: nothing left to lose.

So he tried one comment.
Three sentences. Raw truth.
No committee approval.

14 people messaged him that day.

God uses our lowest moments for the highest purpose.

The Safe Start Method:

1️⃣ Comment 3x daily with truth
2️⃣ Tell one story monthly that scares you
3️⃣ Share one unpopular observation weekly

He gained 5,000 followers in 6 months.

But followers weren't the miracle.
Finding his voice again was.
Your voice is your calling.

God's calling beats corporate protocol.

📌 What truth is fear keeping silent?

♻️ Repost if someone needs permission to speak.
Follow Martina Kikic for courage that compounds.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, LinkedIn strategist and advisor. The image shows Martina standing in a golden mirrored elevator, holding her phone as she captures her reflection, while a small white dotted notebook page is held up in front of the camera with handwritten text that reads “I learned what fear steals from smart people.” The warm elevator lights, blurred reflections, and candid composition create a personal, introspective moment that mirrors the message about how fear blocks confidence, leadership presence, authenticity, and the kind of LinkedIn storytelling that builds influence. This enhanced ALT text ties into LinkedIn strategy, executive communication, confidence building, overcoming fear, personal branding, and human-centered leadership. The summary reinforces that even the smartest people lose opportunities, visibility, and influence when fear leads their decisions instead of courage.

"You can't be that sick."

Client message. I'm too sick to argue.

From "I'm here for you" to "Where were you?" real quick.

Last few days my body shut down. Completely.
Could barely lift my head. Breathing took effort.
Energy levels like the last drops of water in a desert.

Then the texts started.

"Just need this one thing..."
"Can you quickly check..."
"I know you're sick BUT..."

The same people who post about mental health.

The same ones preaching work-life balance.
The same calling for more humanity.
Until they need something. 

Then you're lying.

"She's exaggerating."
"She can't be that bad."
"Always something with her."

My reputation started to crumble because I chose breathing over their demands.

Here's what sickness reveals:

1️⃣ Support has an expiration date
24 hours of sympathy. Then you're inconvenient.

2️⃣ Boundaries trigger entitlement
Say "no" once. Watch them turn victim.

3️⃣ Your worth = your availability
Miss one call. Suddenly you never cared.

4️⃣ Crisis shows character
Theirs. Not yours. Remember that.

5️⃣ Some people see resources, not souls
You're a vending machine. Not human.

The ones who truly care:

They sent soup. Not demands.
They check in. No check-up.
They pray. Not pressure.

God showed me something beautiful:

My energy isn't infinite.
My boundaries aren't negotiable.
The truth doesn't need defending.

Andreja, my rockstar, thank you for your beautiful care!

The right people don't question your pain.
They honor your humanity. Even in silence.
Especially in silence.

📌 Who revealed themselves during your last crisis?

Image credit: Mel Robbins

♻️ Repost if boundaries expose character.
Follow Martina Kikic for leadership with soul.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, writing on LinkedIn post. A minimalist quote graphic on a pale background with bold and highlighted text. It reads: “Overwhelm is when things keep piling up, and you feel like none of it’s in your control. That’s not your sign to give up. It’s your sign to slow down.” Martina Kikic shares a raw reflection on being sick and feeling abandoned by people who preach empathy but disappear when she needed rest. While physically depleted, she faced demands, doubt, and judgment for setting boundaries. Her message is clear: real support doesn’t pressure or question. It comforts and respects. Through illness, she saw who viewed her as human and who saw her as a resource. The post is a powerful call to honor our limits, recognize true care, and let crisis reveal character.

You're trading truth for templates.

And wondering why success feels hollow.

A client sent me her "viral" post.
Perfect metrics. Empty spirit.
She asked: "What would Jesus do?"

I knew exactly.

Jesus flipped tables in the temple.
He didn't optimize engagement rates.
He served the broken, not the boardroom.

You're starting to disappear in three stages:

❌ Stage 1: You trade truth for templates
You're copying what works & stop saying what matters.

❌ Stage 2: You measure worth in metrics
Your impressions and likes become validation.

❌ Stage 3: You forget why you started
The algorithm owns you now. God can't find you.

How to keep your human side intact:

1️⃣ Write for one person's breakthrough
Not 10,000 impressions. One transformation.
Jesus taught crowds but changed individuals.

2️⃣ Post your failures before your wins
Share the prayer, not the promotion.
Your messy middle serves more than your success.

3️⃣ Serve in silence weekly
Do something nobody will ever know about.
Your private service protects your public image.

4️⃣ Fast from metrics monthly
Don't check stats for 7 days.
Let God show you what actually matters.

5️⃣ Ask "Who does this help?" before posting
If the answer is "my ego," delete it immediately.
Your content should carry someone else's burden.

The CEOs who kept their authenticity:

They posted prayers during IPOs.
They shared when deals fell through.
They chose connection over conversion.

Authority without soul is just noise.

God sees your 3am drafts.
The ones you're too scared to post.
Those are the ones that matter.

Integrity scales influence

📌 Which stage is stealing your authenticity?

♻️ Repost to raise the standard.
Follow Martina Kikic for leadership with soul.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, writing on LinkedIn post. A graphic titled "What Actually Matters on LinkedIn" contrasts two approaches: "Chasing Metrics" versus "Staying Human." On the left, metrics-focused habits include viral templates, daily posts, algorithm tricks, and empty DMs. On the right, human-centered values highlight posting with purpose, sharing struggles, praying before posting, and prioritizing genuine connection over popularity. This post critiques the obsession with metrics-driven content on LinkedIn, warning that trading authenticity for algorithms leads to hollow success. It uses a spiritual lens to encourage creators to stay rooted in truth, serve quietly, and post with heart—offering a soul-centered guide to creating meaningful impact online.

You're exhausted from defending yourself. 

I also defended myself until burnout broke me:

Every meeting. Same questions.
"Nobody's done this before."
Every pitch. Same doubts.

Meanwhile, Noah built a boat in the desert.

No water for miles. No clouds in sight.
The whole village mocked him.
"Where's the flood, Noah?"

He never explained his business model.

No elevator pitch. No thought leadership.
No defending the truth they feared.
Just built while they laughed.

The rain was his marketing plan.

Here's what Noah taught me:

1️⃣ Critics get bored and leave
2️⃣ Builders find you and stay
3️⃣ Results become your reputation

Now I build in silence. 

Your vision sounds insane until it saves everyone.

Stop wasting breath on doubters.
Build in silence. Let results roar.

Truth doesn't need your defense.

📌 What are you building while they mock?

♻️ Repost if truth beats strategy.
Follow Martina Kikic for faith that moves markets.

A motivational quote image created by Martina Kikic, founder of The Peace OS and LinkedIn Strategist. The image features a minimalist white background with bold black and highlighted green text. The first quote reads: "Your silence builds faster than your defense." The second reads: "Let your doubters quote you later." This visual message encourages professionals to stop defending their ideas and instead focus on building in silence. It reflects themes of resilience, leadership, faith-driven entrepreneurship, and vision-led execution. Ideal for creators, founders, and leaders who are building something new despite skepticism. Designed to inspire and empower business owners and innovators who value impact over noise.

LinkedIn isn't your free therapist's couch.

Yet vulnerability just made someone rich.

I watched a CEO destroy her reputation.
One unprocessed trauma mess.
8 paragraphs of fresh pain.

The comments turned brutal.

Then watched another CEO build an empire.
He wrote: "Lost three clients. Here's why."
Short. Processed. Useful.

His DMs exploded with opportunity.

LinkedIn isn't your free therapist's couch.

But CEOs desperately need permission to be human without becoming a burden.

My 3-question filter saves careers:

1️⃣ Name who this helps.
Picture their face. Know their struggle.
Vague vulnerability is just noise.

2️⃣ Process first. Post second.
Stop leaving fresh pain online.
Let wounds heal into lessons.

3️⃣ Serve their breakthrough.
Not your emotional release.
Build trust, not therapy sessions.

What passes the filter:

✓ "My panic attack taught me this"
✓ "Lost my biggest deal. My fault"
✓ "Three mistakes that cost me"

What fails every time:

✗ "Nobody understands my pain"
✗ "Can't believe this happened"
✗ "Why me?" posts

Fresh pain needs distance.
Old scars build credibility.

Your mess becomes their map.
But only after you've found the way out.

📌 What scar could free someone today?

♻️ Repost if messy truth builds trust.
Follow Martina Kikic for tips on peaceful leadership.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, writing on LinkedIn post. A close-up of Martina Kikic with long brown hair and round black glasses smiling softly on a waterfront patio, with a skyline including the Burj Khalifa in the background. A quote overlay from Martina Kikic reads: “Traps I didn’t see coming when I tried to be ‘real’ online.” Martina Kikic warns that vulnerability online must be intentional, not impulsive. She contrasts two CEOs—one who overshared unprocessed pain and faced backlash, and another who shared a short, reflective lesson and gained opportunities. Her 3-question filter helps leaders post with purpose: know who you’re helping, process before posting, and make your story useful. The key message: raw truth builds trust, but only when shared with clarity, healing, and service in mind.

You hide behind safe words.

I get it, I did too when I feared judgment.

Honesty carried the weight, safety never did.

Trust multiplied by morning.
One message. Five experiments.
From polished to completely broken.

Numbers don't lie about pain.

Tested these 5 post templates:

1️⃣ "[Big win achieved]" (0.8x reach)
Nobody cares about your victories.

2️⃣ "[Number] steps to [outcome]" (0.9x)
They've seen this formula before.

3️⃣ "[Thing] destroyed my [result]" (1.7x)
Controversy creates conversation.

4️⃣ "Why does [pain point]?" (2.1x)
Fear moves faster than facts.

5️⃣ "[Vulnerable confession]" (2.8x)
Scars outperform strategies.

Raw truth outsells.

Your wins whisper.
But your wounds roar.
People follow the broken brave.

Authority grows from ashes.

Take today's safe draft.
Destroy it. Write the truth.

Pipeline grows from pain shared.

📌 What mess would you never show?
Follow Martina Kikic on how to scale reputation.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, writing on LinkedIn post. A comparison graphic titled “What Actually Converts on LinkedIn” shows two columns: “Polished” and “Vulnerable.” The “Polished” side lists professional achievements like “Featured in Forbes” and “Record revenue month,” while the “Vulnerable” side includes raw confessions like “Rejected 33 times” and “Cried in the bathroom.” Both sides include “Almost went bankrupt.” At the bottom is a prompt to repost and follow Martina Kikic for personal branding with soul. Martina Kikic illustrates that on LinkedIn, polished perfection falls flat while vulnerable truth builds connection. After testing five content styles, she found vulnerable confessions performed nearly 3x better than standard advice or success stories. Her insight: people crave honesty, not polish. Painful truths like burnout, rejection, and emotional breakdowns don’t repel audiences—they convert them. The takeaway is bold: ditch safe, scrip

Your perfect resume got zero replies.

Someone's messy story got hired.

Look at what I found in the Bible.

Moses hid for 40 years before God used him.
Murdered someone. Stuttered. Ran away.
But, still delivered a nation.

You're hiding behind a polished CV.

My friend with broken English posted:
"Failed my certification test 3 times.
Still trying. Who else struggles?"

32 comments. 1 job offer.

Moses said, "I can't speak well."
God used him anyway, imperfect.
You say, "My English isn't perfect."

So what?

Your polished CV sounds like everyone else's.
Your struggle lessons sound like only yours.
Markets hire humans, not templates.

Moses wasn't ready. God used him.

You're not ready. Post anyway.

Your gaps tell better stories than achievements.
Your accent is your unique signature.
Your failures prove you're real.

Every day you stay quiet, someone braver wins.

📌 What would Moses post today? 🤔 

♻️ Repost to help someone start posting.
Follow Martina Kikic for strategies with soul.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, LinkedIn strategist and advisor. The image shows a clean, minimalist quote graphic with bold text on a neutral background, reinforcing a message about imperfect stories outperforming polished resumes on LinkedIn. The narrative contrasts quiet professionals with people who share real struggles, using the story of Moses and a client with imperfect English whose vulnerable post led to comments and a job offer. The message highlights that LinkedIn personal branding, authentic storytelling, leadership communication, and human-first content build trust faster than flawless CVs, encouraging readers to share their journey even when they feel unready. The summary for the caption emphasizes that markets hire humans, not templates, and that honest posts create connection and opportunity.

"Writing on LinkedIn feels pointless."

Until you learn the 3-second rule.

Last week a CEO showed me his hook:
"Leadership insights for growth."
47 views. Zero comments.

His own CMO ignored it.

Your posts vanish in 3 seconds flat.

Check this scroll & stop formula that actually works:

→ Line 1: Problem burning them RIGHT NOW
→ Line 2: Contrarian truth they're avoiding
→ Line 3: Specific transformation promised

With a hint of emotion.

Proke curiosity, fomo, something.

And watch these transformations:

1️⃣ Before: "Building company culture"
After: "Half your team is job hunting"
Results: 67 views → 9,200 views

2️⃣ Before: "Team alignment strategies"
After: "Nobody trusts your vision now"
Results: 78 views → 14,200 views

3️⃣ Before: "Executive decision making"
After: "Your boss stopped defending you"
Results: 203 views → 16,800 views

Your turn. Fix this failed hook:

Before: "Building trust at scale"
After: _______

Drop your below. Best one gets my in-depth formula 😊 

♻️ Repost if hooks are the heart of the post.
Follow Martina Kikic on how to scale reputation.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, writing on LinkedIn post. A woman with long brown hair and round black glasses smiles in a stylish lounge with natural light, plants, and modern furniture. A text overlay displays a post by Martina Kikic that reads: “Mistakes I didn’t notice that made my posts disappear” Martina Kikic reveals how most LinkedIn posts go ignored because they fail to grab attention in the first 3 seconds. She shares a formula for writing compelling hooks: highlight a current pain point, offer a contrarian truth, and promise a clear transformation. Real-world examples show how reframing generic headlines into emotionally resonant statements drastically increased views. Her message: strong hooks—not algorithms—are what make content stick and spark engagement.

You assume executives get the attention.

You need to see who (actually) did:

The janitor posted from the supply closet.
14 DMs. The CEO is asking for his tips.

Same platform. Same algorithm.
One had the CEO title. One had a mop.

The janitor understood what the executive missed.

God doesn't care about your org chart.
Neither does the algorithm.

Both reward what serves others.

The janitor's framework is simple:

1️⃣ He thanked people by name
Not "@everyone" or "the team."
Maria from accounting. John from security.

Names matter more than numbers.

2️⃣ He shared what broke him
Lost his wife. Raised three kids alone.
Still showed up at 4 am to clean their mess.

Scars create connection titles can't.

3️⃣ He gave credit away
"The CEO who remembers my name."
"The intern who brings me coffee."

Lifting others lifts you.

The executive had everything:
MBA. Strategy. Templates. Automation.
Perfect grammar. Zero emotional real stories.

The janitor had nothing:
Night shifts. Samsung Galaxy A07.
But he had what money can't buy.

He remembered being invisible.

Your title expires.
Your stories echo forever.
Authority grows from ashes, not offices.

📌 Which framework rule would transform your content?

♻️ Repost to share the DM framework that works.
Follow Martina Kikic for truth that scales.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, LinkedIn strategist and advisor. The image shows Martina standing on an outdoor terrace in Dubai, leaning on a glass railing with sunlight reflecting trees across the surface, framed by tall white pillars and modern architecture, holding her phone and looking upward with a calm, thoughtful expression. The visual sets the tone for a message about influence, showing a quiet moment that mirrors the idea that leadership, personal branding, and LinkedIn influence often grow in unseen spaces long before anyone notices. The light narrative reflects how influence is built through presence, clarity, and consistency rather than loud tactics, tying in SEO themes like LinkedIn strategy, personal branding, leadership development, communication skills, and online influence. The summary reinforces that influence is something you learn through real experience, not something anyone prepares you for, and moments like this reveal where it 

Your personal brand is invisible.

And someone less qualified just took your deal.

I tried every system on LinkedIn. Every playbook.
And failed because they simply weren't me.
I chased formulas while soul starved.

Everyone's an "expert" now.

AI clones everywhere.
Copy-paste wisdom. Zero depth.
While real leaders disappear in fake crowds.

Until prayer taught me what AI couldn't:

The P.E.A.C.E. Framework builds real authority:

→ Purpose: What drives you beyond profit
→ Emotion: Feel what moves your market  
→ Action: Daily habits that compound trust
→ Connection: Conversations, not broadcasts
→ Endurance: Long game that compounds daily

Most CEOs master spreadsheets.

But forget the secretary's name.
They have vision statements on walls.
But no time for the human in front of them.

Vision without connection is just noise.

Find yourself in silence first.
God shows you what systems can't.
Your authentic framework lives there, waiting.

The market doesn't need another expert. It needs you.

📌 Which part of P.E.A.C.E. do you need most?

♻️ Repost if authenticity beats algorithms.
Follow Martina Kikic for brands that breathe.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, writing on LinkedIn post. A visual breakdown titled “The Real Reason Nobody Sees You (And How to Fix It)” introduces the P.E.A.C.E. Framework for building personal brand visibility. Each letter stands for a key element: Purpose, Emotion, Action, Connection, and Endurance, with practical tips for each. The design includes a semi-circle graphic with color-coded segments representing each part of the framework. At the bottom, there's a prompt to repost and follow Martina Kikic for personal branding with soul. Martina Kikic explains that most personal brands are invisible because they're missing authenticity. While CEOs chase polished strategies and AI-generated content floods feeds, what truly builds authority is the human element. Her P.E.A.C.E. Framework—Purpose, Emotion, Action, Connection, Endurance—helps leaders lead with soul, not just strategy. 

Your content strategy is backwards.

You turned it into corporate dust.

A CEO messaged me at 10 pm.
Three ghostwriters fired. Zero engagement.
While his competitor's posts are going viral daily.

"What am I doing wrong?"

Everything.

You hired writers to sound human.
Then handed them a straitjacket.
"Professional. Polished. Presidential."

Meanwhile, your competitor posted:
"Divorced. Bankrupt. Starting over at 38."
His inbox crashed from DMs and opportunities.

You're still posting your Forbes feature.

Your audience is drowning in their mess.
Searching for someone who survived theirs.
Not another success story they can't reach.

But you're terrified of being real.

So you brief safety. Polish. Distance.
Your writer obeys. Posts flop. And then...
You blame them for following your orders.

Last week, a client finally broke.

"I'm tired of sounding like a robot."
We changed one thing in his brief:
"Write like I'm talking to my friend."

His next post: Pure confession.

Lost deals. Failed marriage. Real numbers.
17 DMs. Three partnership offers.
From one honest post.

Your writer knows this works.

Begs you to let them write truth.
You edit it back to LinkedIn vanilla.
Your fear is destroying your influence.

📌 What truth terrifies you most?

♻️ Repost to transform your content strategy.
Follow Martina Kikic for posts that convert.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, LinkedIn strategist and advisor. A minimalist black-and-white quote image from Martina Kikic appears on a clean background, visually reinforcing the message about why polished corporate content fails while honest storytelling drives real LinkedIn engagement. The post shares a late-night story of a CEO firing ghostwriters after zero traction, contrasted with a competitor whose vulnerable posts go viral. It explains how leaders strangle their own influence by forcing writers into overly professional, distant language instead of allowing human truth, showing how one client shifted from robotic briefs to speaking like he would to a friend and instantly gained DMs and partnership offers. This ALT highlights themes of LinkedIn strategy, personal branding, content authenticity, leadership communication, and storytelling that converts.

Your writing on LinkedIn feels suffocating.

I know, I didn’t understand why I felt empty too.

Here’s where everything finally made sense.

I spent 6 months building my "brand."
Perfect strategy. Expected structures.
Chasing formulas while my soul starved.

Then God showed me David's real strategy.

No content calendar. 
No thoughtful, fancy leadership.
Just a shepherd with rocks and faith.

While Saul's army built their reputation.

David built his faith in fields nobody saw.

Lions. Bears. Silence.
Every private battle prepared him.
Not for followers. For giants. But not in flesh.

David's real giant wasn't Goliath. It was fear.

The real giant lived in David's head.

It was the lie that credentials create authority.
The fear that truth needs permission to lead.
The voice saying 'wait for 10K followers first.'

Five smooth stones. Not five-step frameworks.

Stone 1: Faith when strategy fails
Stone 2: Truth when metrics seduce
Stone 3: Now when perfect never comes
Stone 4: Purpose when platforms distract
Stone 5: Scars when credentials intimidate

Your reputation builds itself when you fight right battles.

I stopped building my brand that day.
Started facing the giants I'd been avoiding.
The ones that whisper "you're not qualified."

Authority grows from what you've already survived.

Your stones are ready.
Your giant has a name.
Your field is waiting.

Stop collecting stones. Start throwing them.

📌 Which giant needs to fall today?

♻️ Repost if you're ready to throw stones.
Follow Martina Kikic for battles worth fighting.

Martina Kikic on LinkedIn, founder of The Peace OS, and LinkedAI, LinkedIn strategist and advisor. The image shows a clean white background with a simple black stick-figure illustration of a person gently pushing a door open, paired with bold text that reads “You keep knocking on doors you were meant to push open,” with the word “meant” highlighted in neon green for emphasis. The visual creates a calm, minimalist scene that mirrors the message about confidence, leadership clarity, personal agency, and the mindset shifts needed for LinkedIn growth and career momentum. This enhanced ALT text ties into themes of LinkedIn strategy, leadership development, personal branding, self-belief, and taking initiative. The summary reinforces that many people wait for permission when the opportunity is already theirs to step into.

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Gözde İmamoğlu

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The Battle

Gözde İmamoğlu

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Gözde İmamoğlu's LinkedIn Performance

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