Your career is successful if more and more people want to work with you

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Gergana Dimova. I love positive people, nature in the mountains, and the sound of the sea.

How would you describe your career in a few words?

For more than 10 years I have been working at Accenture Bulgaria. I started from the very beginning in a project related to insurance policies for the Italian market. Over the years, I progressed to team leader of the team I started with, and later to a newly formed team, which worked with the largest European markets related to international insurance. For almost a year, I have been the head of the international insurance department.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path?

I believe that the most important choices are the brave ones – when a person wants to develop in the company they work for, they must embrace new challenges with open arms. I would say that a turning point for me was when I changed my initial team because I had built a very strong bond with those people.  

What would you like to know at the beginning of your career that no one told you?

It would have been helpful to know that there is nothing scary about making a mistake. The consequences of mistakes are often much smaller than those we imagine in our minds – magnified by our feelings of fear.

How can a person understand which profession is suitable for them?

I believe that a person should be guided by what is interesting to them first and foremost. As a next condition, it is very important whether they like working in a team or prefer to be a solo player.

Which skills do you think will be key in the next 10 years?

I assume that with the advent of technologies, some technical skills will need to be changed, but what will be even more important than now will be the ability to communicate and interact with people.

How to build a network of useful contacts without appearing interested?

In my experience over the years, I realize that showing humanity, concern, and flexibility towards people has been the factors that contributed to them being productive and dedicated in their work. I wouldn't say that I could build a network without appearing interested.  

What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career, and what did you learn from it?

I have approached people with prejudices, which inevitably affects subsequent relationships. I realized that a good leader is one who knows how to bring out the good qualities of the people they work with, and this is not possible if you have prejudices.

How to recognize a toxic work environment and when is it time to leave?

Fortunately, I do not believe I have encountered a toxic work environment so far. To overcome the difficult moments in my career path, I have always relied on a mentor, manager, or colleague friend whom I can trust. A person who is able to show empathy for my current difficulty and give me the courage to forget my fears and move forward.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

To learn to delegate more as a leader.

How to maintain our motivation during times of stagnation?

By appreciating the positive strengths of the people we work with and their professionalism.

How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

By following the standard recommendations for taking lunch breaks and regular vacations, but of course also trying to fill our free time with pleasant activities that do not make us think about everyday stress. Balance is very difficult, and I do not feel that I am the best in this aspect.

When is it time to change our career, not just our job?

As a person who has not yet taken this step, I can only assume that the moment is when the previous field is already exhausted, but I do not believe that anyone should limit themselves to a specific day, month, or year. What is important is for a person to be aware that the efforts they need to make would be greater.

If you had to give just one piece of advice to people who are seeking success, what would it be?

To see the challenges they face as opportunities for lessons to learn for future situations. If a given problem recurs, it is because we have not learned how to solve it.   

What is your definition of a “successful career”?

To know more and more people who want to work with you.