Emotional intelligence is at the core of successful relationships

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Nadine, and for almost two years I have been developing professionally in the field of IT Recruitment. I love helping people discover and connect with the profession that is truly valuable to them. Beyond that, I am a psychologist and a dreamer at heart.  J

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

As the youngest, even before I started school, I dreamed of being an artist. I liked expressing myself through painting and art, even though I didn't have a strong talent. At a later stage, these interests were overshadowed by psychology. As soon as we started studying it as a subject in school, I already knew that this was the thing that excited me, in which I wanted to delve and develop. At a later stage,  when it came time to make a professional choice, I decided to focus on personnel selection, specifically in IT sector. This combined my passion for workingwith people, with the opportunity to develop in an industry that is highly dynamic and promising.

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us an interesting story?

I might have been 7 or 8. My grandmother coordinated a network of newspaper stalls and often took me with her. I was well acquainted with her work. I remember a specific moment when there was urgent work and she left me alone for about half an hour to serve the people at one of the stalls. It was an interesting experience; I successfully served several customers and that’s how I earned my first money.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an early age and form our interests? What is your recipe for curiosity, sources of information, and inspiration at this stage of our human development?

What defines our development as individuals is definitely a combination of factors and influences. First and foremost are our family and lineage, which include not only our parents but also their parents and the generations before us. Consciously or not, we carry parts of them and their destinies within us.

Beyond that, willingly or not, we absorb the values of the era in which we find ourselves as a society.

Today we are flooded with information, which on one hand is a great plus, but on the other, creates confusion because we need to purposefully filter.
My recipe for maintaining curiosity includes fresh air and nature, which give space to thought + quality reading.
 

Has there been any significant change in your perceptions in more mature age regarding what motivates you to do or not do something?

Yes, a change in perceptions certainly occurs with age. Different stages of life require different readiness from us, reveal different potential, and open up different needs. If as children our main concern is to explore the world around us because we are safe under the care of our parents, as adults it becomes necessary for us to cultivate that stability and security within and around ourselves.

However, it is important to maintain the childlike enthusiasm and curiosity because they are what pull us out of our comfort zone and push us towards development.
The balance between the two is the golden key.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was that decision correct, viewed from today’s perspective?

The decision of where and what to study was entirely mine. My parents tried to guide me in another direction, but they were not overly insistent, and I was convinced about what I wanted. I certainly wouldn’t change the direction, but maybe I would have gone abroad if I could turn back time.

The market in Bulgaria regarding Psychology is quite narrow, excluding the possibility of private practice. I think that in the West things are not exactly like that, and labor is valued higher.

Share more about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies?

I love nature, I love doing things that relieve me from the stress of everyday life and at the same time connect me with myself – for me, these are walks in nature, yoga, spontaneous dancing, without thought and choreography. I love capturing beautiful natural views and spontaneous moments of joy. I love reading everything related to mental health, relationships, awareness, and connection.

Would you change your profession today and which fields of activity capture your interest?

At this stage, no. I like what I do. The agency is a young company and we have a large field for creativity and realization of ideas. Our team is quite cohesive,  we freely share ideas and learn from each other. This gives me great value, both in my personal and professional development.

Apart from that, on a daily basis, we communicate with various people and characters, each requiring an individual approach. This invariably tests my flexibility and adaptability every day.

They say that personal branding is everything that people say about you when you are not in the same room with them. What would you like to hear today?

Ha-ha, tough question, but I would be happy if people associated my name with a sense of groundedness, authenticity, and warmth...

 

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as our soft skills, are key conditions for success in recent years. How do you cope with the daily challenges of life to stay in good shape and mood?

Personally for me emotional intelligence is at the core of all successful relationships, whether professional or personal. It is not only the ability to understand and control our own emotions, but also the skill to recognize the needs of others, to delve beneath the surface. When we are exhausted or overwhelmed with commitments, it is difficult to maintain that fine sensitivity to others.

That’s why rest is as important as action, the balance between productivity and self-care is key. The recipe for good mental health and resilience, for me, includes meeting basic needs. They vary, but if I can summarize – good sleep, good food, sunshine, fresh air, movement, socialization, meaningful conversations, hugs, closeness. We often forget it, but actually the simplest things are the essentials.

What are the most important conclusions you have drawn so far about maintaining proper communication considering the different characters of the people you meet daily  – colleagues, friends, relatives?

Working in the agency connects me with various types of characters. But regardless of who stands in front of me – for me, respect for the personality of the other is fundamental, regardless of differences. It is important to try to understand the other’s perspective, to be calm and confident in the message we want to convey, and usually, things happen.

 What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

In the society we live in, money opens opportunities, provides stability and security. They are important to the extent that they allow us to live well and to leave for those who come after us. The measure of sufficiency is determined by each person for themselves; there is no universal unit.  

What is the most valuable career advice you would give to people?

A pinch of love and a pinch of strategy. No matter how clichéd it sounds – it is important to have the courage to dream and to act with passion, but it is equally important and to plan and to choose consciously. Love is the inner drive that gives impetus and motivation for action. Without it, our work would be boring, monotonous, and meaningless. But if we don’t have direction, a clear vision of where and how we want to invest our energy – we would get lost in the endless sea of possibilities.  So my advice would be - dream freely and plan consciously! J