“A true team reveals itself in challenging times”.
Teamwork can often sound like just another corporate buzzword – especially in the professional world, where meaningful concepts are easily reduced to clichés. But when you’ve been part of the same company for over 20 years, you start to realize just how personal and transformative this value can be.
Meet Ivaylo Kotsev, Planning Manager at Sopharma and ambassador of the company’s core value: Teamwork. For Ivaylo, trust, consistency, and responsibility aren’t just virtues- they are the foundation of meaningful relationships between people.
Team spirit as a conscious, lasting choice
Ivaylo believes that at the heart of every resilient team lies the ability of its members to truly listen and trust one another. In his view, a strong team isn’t defined by flawless results, but by how it responds under pressure.
“Teamwork requires a balance between listening and taking initiative. Sometimes, you need to give others space. Other times, you need to step up and take responsibility”, he explains.
Ivaylo doesn’t talk about leadership in terms of achievements or milestones. For him, the essence of leadership is trust – being the person others can count on without hesitation.
“What I’m most proud of is being someone others can rely on”, he says with a smile. He believes it’s essential to be consistent and committed – not only when everything goes smoothly, but especially when things get tough.
“It’s about keeping your word, honoring your commitments, and acting with the team in mind”, he adds.
These principles don’t just guide Ivaylo in his professional life. Outside of work, he is a devoted father of two and finds strength, inspiration, and renewal in his family life.
When we asked him, “What does it mean to lead by example?”, his answer was clear:
“You don’t lead by words – you lead through consistent action. For me, that means being reliable, engaged, and honest. It means honoring your promises, respecting others’ opinions, and recognizing the team’s efforts”.
Ivaylo believes this kind of behavior is what builds a strong and lasting team culture.
“Setting a good example means offering support when someone hesitates – and stepping back when someone else deserves the spotlight. I believe team culture isn’t created through orders. It’s built through the everyday actions of each one of us”, he concludes.
