Understanding and acceptance are at the core of overcoming any challenge

Introduce yourself in a few sentences and highlight key points from your career development so far..
My name is Iva Panayotova. I have been working in the field of human resources for over 20 years. I started from a position related to personnel and over time I have gone through various areas, including: administration, recruitment, training, retention, and employee development. I summarize them this way because different companies use different names.

What motivates you to take on this new role and what are your main goals in the position?
My main motivation to become a partner at Mirror 360 was related to my long-standing search for a tool that I like, aligns with my values, and is genuinely helpful to employers. The company offers a product that quickly, easily, simply, and anonymously collects feedback. This allows management to see what the real microclimate in the company is, who the driving forces are, and which areas need special attention from management and leaders.

What professional or personal qualities do you think will help you succeed in your new position?
I believe that my accumulated experience, as well as my desire to help society, companies, and individuals, are my main driving forces. When I am convinced that something is useful and has the potential to help, I give 100% of myself to realize it.
I define myself as a responsible person who keeps their word. I believe that with leaders who also keep their word and take on commitments responsibly, we can achieve many positive changes.

What challenges do you expect to face and how do you approach change management?
Every person is at a different stage of their personal and professional development. Therefore, it is possible that I will encounter misunderstanding, distrust, or even rejection of what I will propose.
I am convinced that understanding and acceptance are at the core of overcoming any challenge. I define myself as an open-minded person who knows how to adapt to any situation. I know how to assess when it is time to step back and when to insist in order to achieve results. Experience has taught me to use not only my knowledge and skills but also my intuition.

What is your approach to teamwork and building a strong internal culture?
I place great emphasis on several key elements: a clear mission and vision, values that are followed, and shared expectations. When we know what to expect from each other and are guided by the values that shape us as people, I believe that a strong culture is built naturally.

What would you like people to say about you in the company after a few months?
“They can be trusted – they helped us change the culture in the company and reach new heights.”