A career is not a ladder, but a path — and only those who walk with awareness find their true peak!

Introduce yourself in a few words..

Hello!. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of your project!

My name is Valentin Vasilev. I am a professor in “National Security /Management of Human Resources in Crisis Situations/. I am a teacher, researcher, and practitioner with more than twenty-five years of experience in the field of human resource management, leadership, emotional intelligence, and organizational development. I am an inspirer and co-author of the brand “Motivation 4.0”, part of which is the first educational board game with the same name. https://motivationfourzero.com/

How would you describe your career in a few words?

Consistent, fulfilling, and motivating! When I chose the path of a university lecturer in 2000, I was well aware of the difficulties and obstacles. The constant search for practice and experience from it, something that is still lacking to a large extent in the educational paradigm in higher education in Bulgaria, challenged me to develop a second parallel line of my career, related to realization in the public sector in various positions and functions. This gave me a distinct focus and experience. The third pillar of my career is my consulting activity in the field of management and development of human resources, leadership, and emotional intelligence through project activities, training, analyses, and other relevant activities.

My academic career has gone through all positions – from assistant to professor, including administrative and leadership – deputy dean and department head, and is currently associated with South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Blagoevgrad, University of Security and Economics /USIE/, Plovdiv and New Bulgarian University /NBU/. I have been a long-term lecturer at the Institute of Public Administration under the Council of Ministers.

My career path is also related to holding the position of Deputy Mayor of Blagoevgrad Municipality, as well as representing the institution Public Mediator /Ombudsman/ of Blagoevgrad Municipality. I lead the activities of “Club-Blagoevgrad” under the “Foundation for the Development of Emotional Intelligence”.

I am deeply engaged in the implementation of policies for motivating employees in various organizations from the public and business sectors, with some of the successful practices being highly appreciated and awarded in national competitions. My entire professional path so far has been focused on enhancing the potential of people, leading processes, creating policies and their implementation, mentoring a generation of talented young people.

What was the most important choice that shaped the path Inyour life?

Of course, at the risk of deviating from my professional focus, for me the most important choice is the person who has been by my side for almost three decades, who has been with me in difficult times and in moments of success. The role of family and loved ones has shifted in recent years from career “gurus” and has somehow become peripheral, taken for granted. I define it as the most significant. It is difficult to rank the other choices I have made in my career, but each of them has been made with consideration for my family and loved ones! Without their support, every step would have been like “walking on embers” and vice versa – the support “fills the sails with wind”.

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

I am happy that my career so far has brought me together with magnificent People, true Leaders, provocative Visionaries. Without naming names, I have touched and continue to touch and communicate with people who have shown me new horizons in science and management. They have done it with ease, conviction in the cause of good governance, and with great Humanity, showing me their faith in me! This energy and this example follow me and give me energy and “professional fuel” of the highest class over the years. Now I believe it is my turn to do it for those who come after me, opening doors for them for individual and organizational development.

Perhaps, I would like to know and to be aware at the beginning of my career that the touch and communication with these people will be temporary, will have a beginning and an end, like everything in life, and when I felt with every pore of my body how invaluable they are to me, it was necessary to “swim” even more in these invaluable relationships. I try to create an environment around myself where I meet my surroundings with exactly such motivating people, from whom we can draw ideas, motivation, bright energy, and of course Faith.

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

Probably one of the most complex questions for several reasons. In Bulgaria, the paradigm of working on “discovering interests and talents” cannot yet be established at the school desk. The attempts in this direction are timid and unfortunately, universities struggle to build on this approach. There are exceptions, but they rather confirm this form of “educational mimicry” in the search for the talents of young people. My experience shows that we should encourage young people to seek and discover their mentors at every stage of their life and career. In my opinion, there is no more suitable source of knowledge and orientation than the people we trust. Very often, these are the people who get to know us at school, during our student years, at our first job during internships, and so on.

Of course, very often “profession” is accepted as a flexible and formless concept, while in fact, clear description leads to adaptation and recognition as one’s own. In my opinion, we already live in years where the profession is not just work, salary, and career, but it should carry a sense of added value to society, a contribution to the development of communities, setting standards for Humanity, high levels of Emotional intelligence, and more and more.

I would like to believe that more and more people recognize in “profession” the depth and importance of the causes, of the role for the society of each of us.

Which skills according to Inyou will be key in the next 10 years?

My favorite author Stephen King says: "Talent is cheaper than table salt. What distinguishes a talented person from successful one is a lot of hard work". This will never change and it is first – the ability to focus and concentrate on what we do. Think about how difficult this becomes and how much harder it is for each subsequent generation...for many reasons...

Of course, I will direct your attention to several skills, without claiming completeness and originality, and hoping, to complement the standard approach to the answer:

ü  Emotional intelligence, because character skills are becoming more important than cognitive ones in a world where communication is changing;

ü  The use of the “mentor effect” for acquiring knowledge and personal motivation. In general, “storytelling” is a highly underestimated skill still...

ü  The skills to focus on the importance of Mental health and wellbeing;

ü  Skills for development everywhere we are in the approach of “EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE”. Similar to customer experience, organizations/leaders strive to create a motivating and engaging environment, literally turning them/us into “Employees of smiles” /this is a long and separate topic/, meaning, the people who communicate with you should associate you with positive emotions!

Especially in a world with increased influence of AI and deteriorated personal communication, these skills will be absolutely necessary!

Of course, these are ideas, and everyone must choose their “personal treasures” in search of positive solutions for themselves and the people around them!

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

An interesting question. Does it impress you in the programs of different forums a new trend – that there is allocated time for “networking”? I often get asked about the importance of contacts. Of course, as a Bulgarian proverb says – everything is done with people.

As noted in their book “The Good Life” by Robert Waldinger and Mark Schultz “Quality relationships are the strongest predictor of happiness and success in life, good interpersonal relationships are the most important factor for long-term happiness and health – not wealth, career, or genes”.

 Take advantage of every opportunity! The magic of communication, of exchanging ideas, of creating an infrastructure of contacts requires dedication and commitment. Believe me, insincerity and the search for gain in relationships are quickly felt, even by not so professionally experienced people. I will add something to it  - the words of George Clooney – “”.  That’s it!                                                                                                    

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

It is difficult to give a definitive or short answer. Everyone makes mistakes along their way. What matters are the lessons and whether we learn from our mistakes.

Perhaps I have lacked firmness and inability for “dirty” play in several cases in my career. Probably, if I had played rough and with more brutality, I would have had “success”, but at what cost. I do not regret having played by the rules and having exited those situations my way – subtly, with class, humanely, with a good heart, without guilt.

This is how I educate my children, my students, and my surroundings /as far as they hear me, of course/...knowing that they will have moments of difficulties with this approach, but it is genuine...

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

With  years, a person becomes convinced that the body and the whole being of everyone, suggests and feels almost everything around them! The body speaks, the soul and the heart suggest the right answers. Unfortunately, it is probably inevitable to find oneself in a environment or relationships close to the definition of "toxic". I have examples for both outcomes: both for finding a "cure" and for cleansing the toxins in relationships....it's a long topic, but it's interesting. Of course, my conviction is related to the fact that often a person compromises with themselves in the expectation that the environment will improve, that solutions will be found, that the "old time" will return...this is not always possible. Often there are reasons for this – management decisions, poor selection, personal change, in people who have changed their professional positions, changes in priorities and goals in the organization, changes in management and many others.

Do not "marinate" your feelings /with all my respect for this process in cooking/!

A person must primarily respect themselves and their loved ones, to know that they are valued by them, and it is completely natural and right to distance oneself or leave such a toxic work environment when it is necessary to preserve their emotional, psychological, and physical health+. It is often a difficult decision, but it is important – for you, for your loved ones, probably and for the "toxicological jungle"  - because it shows how strong you are!

What would you have done differently if you could start over?

As I mentioned before, I would have had more dedicated time for the people I felt had the most positive influence on me. Unfortunately, some are no longer with us. Investing in valuable relationships is the best thing we can do for ourselves and our loved ones! Of course, I would have exited toxic and unhealthy relationships more quickly, because inevitably a person encounters them on their path!

How do we maintain our motivation in times of stagnation?

Motivation is my favorite topic and area. What is "stagnation"? Who defines it? I am deeply convinced that motivation "is fueled" daily, the fire is not allowed to diminish, but rather. For more than 25 years, the topic of "motivation and the motivational process" has been part of my professional scientific portfolio, and I can say only one thing – motivation is within us, it is a "perpetuum mobile" for anyone who is demanding of themselves, who has realized "that the glass is half full, not the other way around", who is a caring steward of relationships, connections, and the people around them.

VIRTUE is the fuel. The rest comes after that....

When we created the concept #"MOTIVATION 4.0" we did not realize the depth and potential it has to help people find new ideas in understanding this management phenomenon. By exploring the idea, we create a space where people can be more motivated, more connected, more meaningful – through models, experiences, and community. "Motivation 4.0" is not just a model, but a visionary system, in which the visual language, structure, and symbolism already tell the story of sustainability, play, emotions, and leadership.

And yes, I continue to believe in the words of George Bernard Shaw: "The people who progress in this world are those who wake up and see the circumstances they want, and if they cannot see such, they create them".

How do we achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

My advice is for everyone to develop their senses in this direction. To find their own solutions, because for everyone the solution and "tool" are different. The role of family and loved ones, the harmony in relationships, and finding and retaining the right people in our surroundings is categorically the first priority.

Of course, there are two key directions, in my opinion. Effective time management and health care, and I will add two important thoughts in support – the Chinese proverb "Do not be afraid to slow down. Be afraid only if you stand still" and from Jim Rohn – "Take good care of your body. It is the only place you have to live”.

That’s it!

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

In recent years, there are many examples of such decisions. The reasons for each of them are different, but each is related to a deep personal change, provoked by various reasons! My explanation is that people are increasingly focusing on seeking solutions to find their inner "Self" and bringing them into everyday life in various ways. It should not be forgotten that changing our career or field is a transformation, linked to a complete change of environment, contacts, and relationships. "Let’s catch the forest" /I use the already popular descriptive framework/ is a manifestation of strength and very precise focus and is organically connected to relationships with our families and close friends.

Naturally, the feeling of exhaustion, professional weightlessness, can be the reason for such steps and decisions. They must be taken carefully, in an appropriate context, with ensured friendly support and, of course, with positive internal acceptance, and not out of spite for someone!

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

I will use the words of Napoleon Hill -  Take care of your vision, your dreams, as they are the children of your soul, the blueprint of your future best achievements”! And I will add – and be kind, curious, dream, and do not stop raising the bar in front of yourself!  

What is Your definition of "successful career"?

A career is not a ladder, but a path — and only those who walk with awareness find their true peak. On this path, it is important who you are with, but most importantly, to follow your inner fire, because it  is more important and warmer than all external torches!