Do not seek success, but what will lead to it
· Ralitsa Sharkova
The toxic environment does not always scream - sometimes it whispers. It is often a collection of various factors, such as poor management, unclear corporate cultural values, and the wrong people in the team.
Introduce yourself in a few words..
My name is Ralitsa Sharkova – an explorer by soul, a fan of mathematical jokes, and an admirer of ventures with added value. My path began in the entrepreneurial ecosystem, passed through the big corporate IT world, and I am currently a Senior People Manager at Telerik Academy School.
How would you describe your career in a few words?
A galactic journey between startups, corporate structures, and social initiatives.
What was the most important choice that shaped your path?
Undoubtedly, my decision to become part of the entrepreneurial organization Start It Smart. 15 years later, I can confidently say that it is almost impossible to gain such a work foundation, ethics, and contacts in such a short time, so intensively and sustainably, as I have received there.
What would you like to know at the beginning of your career, but no one told you?
I would say: “Thank you for not telling me, because I learned it myself.”
How can a person understand which profession is suitable for them?
When they work and time passes easily, when they feel satisfied, when there is liveliness and meaning.
Which skills do you think will be key in the next 10 years?
Adaptability and digital literacy. They are the ones that will allow us not just to survive, but to thrive in the dynamic work environment of the future..
How to build a network of useful contacts without appearing interested?
By improving our social-communicative skills. They are at the core of everything. Enter the conversation genuinely, without rehearsed phrases and without “puffing” your ego. People sense the falsehood.
What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career, and what did you learn from it?
I have gone through considerable work trials with people of all ranks and calibers. For me, there is one very important and fundamental perception - do not compromise on values and orders. People are carriers of culture – and it either creates or destroys.
How to recognize a toxic work environment and when is it time to leave?
The toxic environment does not always scream - sometimes it whispers. It is often a collection of various factors, such as poor management, unclear corporate cultural values, and the wrong people in the team. When you start justifying the unacceptable, when the environment does not cultivate but suppresses, then it is time for that “heavy” decision. Work is everywhere, you only have yourself once.
What would you do differently if you could start over?
Absolutely nothing!
How to maintain your motivation in times of stagnation?
This is a topic that often arises in my conversations with friends and colleagues. I have noticed that many people do not know what exactly motivates them, or often after a longer conversation, other motivators emerge.
My advice? Sit down and talk honestly with yourself about what your true driving force is. When you discover it, you will be able to build your micro-motivations much more consciously – small goals, meaning in routine, and “internal navigation”. Stagnation is not always an enemy – sometimes it is the necessary silence in which we hear the most important.
How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?
Balance requires conscious choice and discipline. The most important thing is to be honest with yourself about what brings you true joy and satisfaction and to ensure that there is room for that in your daily life.
For me, the key is to have clear boundaries and not allow work to invade your personal space. This means not checking emails after a certain hour, not working on weekends unless there is urgency, and setting aside time for important things – family, hobbies, and self-development.
When is it time to change your career, not just your job?
When you feel like an actor in someone else's life and cannot identify with your role. Then perhaps it is time for a new script. Change is an opportunity to discover new meaning and purpose in what you do.
If you had to give just one piece of advice to people seeking success, what would it be?
Do not seek success! Seek what will lead to success.
What is your definition of a “successful career”?
A successful career is like a good song – it has rhythm, surprises, and a chorus that you return to with a smile. It is not necessarily the most listened to, but it is the one that describes you and moves you.