“Real Progress Comes Not from Extraordinary Moments but from the Everyday”
Placid Jover, Teva’s Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), shares insights since joining Teva in August 2024.
When I began working at Teva Pharmaceuticals a few months ago, I was immediately struck by the incredible work culture. When you change companies, it’s hard to know if you’ll fit and if you got it right. Switching from a business in the consumer goods industry to a pharmaceutical company, I was honestly surprised to find such strong cultural similarities. The shared focus on the consumer—or, in Teva’s case, patients—along with purpose, care, and humanity are some common attributes and why I’ve felt at home from the start. I also love Teva’s performance orientation, determination, and execution mindset.
When people asked about my initial focus, my answer was simple: getting connected. I aimed to connect deeply with every aspect of our business, from our people and senior management to our operations. This commitment has taken me on a journey, visiting distribution centers, factories, and offices. I needed to spend time with Teva people and immerse myself in our organization.
Placid visits a Teva site in Ulm, Germany
“When people asked about my initial focus, my answer was simple: getting connected”
Resilience at Our Core
As I immersed myself, I realized that it wasn’t just our purpose or culture that stood out—it was resilience. Teva is no stranger to challenge. From navigating geopolitical situations to operating across regions with ongoing conflict, this company has shown a remarkable ability to deliver—always doing what it says it will. What I find amazing is that despite these global challenges, my colleagues show up with a readiness, a smile, and a professionalism that I deeply admire. In fairness, for a company to have been around for more than 100 years, you need to be made of something very special! This resilience is core to who we are, and it’s something we can build on as we think about the future.
The Role of Pivot to Growth
At the center of our next chapter is our Pivot to Growth strategy. What excites me and gives me energy about this strategy is how clear it is—both in its priorities and in its purpose. The job my team and I are 300% committed to is building and executing the human capital agenda to help us achieve our strategy. In the end, it’s all about the people. Great execution is what differentiates the winners from the losers. Building trust and psychological safety, hiring the right people, finding a more dynamic way of allocating resources and capacity, empowering teams, and continuing to create a sense of purpose in everything we do will be essential to our success.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
One of my main challenges is the balance of navigating change. It's about respecting what's working and honoring our legacy while being decisive and not letting the past hinder our progress. Of course, change isn't easy—systems, processes, and even mindsets resist it. No single person can drive this change alone; it requires a team effort. Listening, collaborating, and being open to feedback are essential, but so is having the conviction to stand firm when necessary. In the end, it’s all about leadership.
Another challenge is pacing myself. I often describe the experience as being a kid in a candy shop. There’s so much I want to learn, contribute, and be part of. It’s hard to slow down. But I’ve realized how important it is to pause, reflect, and take care of myself so that I can bring my best energy to this role.
A Final Reflection
As I reflect on my first few months, one piece of advice stands out, something I’ve carried with me throughout my career. It’s the idea that real progress comes not from extraordinary moments but from the everyday. Like ants building their colonies, the constant, deliberate effort creates something extraordinary over time. Consistency and perseverance will get you there.
At Teva, we’re not just responding to change but shaping it. My first few months have been filled with insights, challenges, and moments of magic. I’m grateful for this opportunity and excited for the journey ahead—it’s one I’m certainly proud to be part of.
Want to join Placid at Teva? Check out our open positions!
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Find out more
- Why inclusion and diversity are key in realizing our Pivot to Growth strategy
- Ravit Eshed, VP, Head of Talent Management at Teva, shares 3 key trends she’s watching in the world of work.
- Want to learn more about the inspiring work we do? Check out our Careers pages
