Lars was awarded the title of Covalen Value Champion for truly embodying our 'be wise' value.

Lars, what is your role at Covalen?

I am a Global Safety Team Lead on the night shift.

Where is your role based? 

My role is based in Sandyford, Dublin.

How long have you worked with Covalen?

I have worked with Covalen for over 4 years.

How did you feel about firstly being nominated as a ‘be wise’ Covalen Value Champion?

I was surprised by this nomination but did not give it much thought at first. My initial thoughts were that there are many worthy recipients for this award, but I am happy and grateful to receive it.

How did you feel about receiving the Covalen Value Champion award?

I felt very honoured and humbled at the same time, especially after reading some of the reasons for being nominated.

Describe in your own words what ‘be wise’ means to you and how you have embodied our ‘be wise’ value into your day-to-day activities?

Two quotes by authors Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette and George Bernhard Shaw have resonated with me: “Be happy. It's one way of being wise.” and “A life spent making mistakes is not only more honourable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing.” We are often faced with new challenges, not just at work but in our personal lives too. It is important to always keep a positive outlook on life, treat people around us with kindness and respect, and realise that all experiences in life are learning experiences.

What lessons have you learned in the past that have empowered you to ‘be wise’?

Life is often trial and error and making mistakes is human, but it is those challenges that help us to grow the most. I am fortunate to have people in my life colleagues, friends and family, who continue to help me to recognise this.

Overall, what impact do Our Values have on your working life at Covalen?

Values define who we are, and we live these values every day. All of us have a sense of belonging and the understanding that we are all part of a larger social system, for example, being part of Covalen.

Tell us about your journey with Covalen to date.

I started at Covalen (Cpl) in 2017 and worked as a Content Analyst for a specific European market. In 2018, I transferred from this market region to a safety project on the night shift and became part of a small but very international team. In 2019, I was promoted to Team Leader.

What are your goals going forward?

I am always seeking new opportunities within the company and thereby hope to develop myself and others.

What else drives you or motivates you to achieve your goals?

I strive to do better by proactively keeping my knowledge up to date. Planning and preparation help me to achieve what I am aiming for. Listening to others is very educational. It enables me to broaden my horizon, to be more mindful of my reaction to others and thereby helps me to create a more collaborative environment.

What do you like most about working at Covalen?

I most cherish the good working atmosphere and the diversity of the workforce at Covalen. During my 33 years of working life, this is certainly the most international and diverse workforce, and I am happy and proud to be part of it.