Ralitsa Andonova is a Senior Customer Service Manager at Sopharma. But to her colleagues (especially the international teams she works with daily) she is much more than her title. She is someone you can count on. It’s no surprise, then, that Ralitsa has been recognized as one of Sopharma’s 2024 Ambassadors for the core value of Accountability – a title she has earned naturally and deservedly.
What does responsibility mean to Ralitsa?
It’s certainly more than just a job requirement. For Ralitsa, it’s part of how you see yourself and your role in the world. She believes responsibility is either something you’re born with or something shaped early in life -but in any case, it’s always a personal choice, expressed through our daily actions and decisions.
When it comes to work, she shares:
“For me, taking responsibility means doing everything in your power to support your team and keep processes running smoothly”.
Equally important, she says, is the awareness that our actions should never put others at risk – whether they’re colleagues or loved ones.
Dreams don’t always take you where you expect
As a child, Ralitsa imagined many different career paths. Her biggest dreams? Becoming a singer or a fighter pilot. But her true passion was always about exploring new places and cultures. Tourism seemed like the natural route – but life had other plans, and she found herself in the pharmaceutical industry.
“My job brings me genuine joy. It has given me the chance to travel across the country and abroad, meet inspiring people, and explore new places”, she says with a smile. “And in my free time – I keep traveling whenever I can”.
Acknowledging mistakes: Weakness or strength?
For Ralitsa, mistakes are a natural part of life and work, but their meaning depends on how we respond to them.
“Everyone makes mistakes, but they help us learn and grow. For me, admitting a mistake is a sign of strength, but only if you take full responsibility and act to correct it”.
Staying calm in the chaos
Ralitsa is also very clear about how she handles challenges:
“I like to organize everything around me. It saves both my time and others’ when it comes to finding solutions”.
She also prepares by mentally playing out different scenarios in advance, which helps her react quickly and appropriately. Patience and emotional balance, she says, are key to staying focused and composed – especially in high-pressure situations.
A message to the newcomers
To young professionals just starting their careers, Ralitsa shares a heartfelt message:
“Find joy in your work. Every challenge makes you better, and every stressful situation brings valuable experience. Don’t wait for written rules or perfect instructions – create new ones that improve the process. Don’t be the reason things get delayed.Making mistakes isn’t the problem. What’s worse is avoiding responsibility and failing to act to fix the consequences”, she concludes with a smile.
