Meet Charlotte Navarrete: Your contribution matters
“Caring for others naturally breeds collaboration and takes courage in itself. Care could be as simple as asking one person every day if they are ok. We don't know what goes on in people’s lives and we have no control over that. What we do have control over is making each employee feel valued, included and cared for,” says Charlotte Navarrete when asked which of Hydro’s core values matter most to her.
Since joining Hydro Cheltenham in 2023, Charlotte has been a driving force to bridge the gap between the shop floor and office staff to cultivate collaboration among colleagues. Within her short time at Hydro, Charlotte has taken an active role in fostering wellbeing at the site through various activities including a monthly lunch club, arranging outdoor team activities and engaging in the Cheltenham Wellness Network.
Each year Hydro asks employees to nominate colleagues who go the extra mile for the annual Hydro People that Matter Award. The nominations are based on efforts that reflect Hydro’s values of Care, Courage and Collaboration in or outside the workplace.
Described as a colleague committed to everyone’s wellbeing who goes out of her way to help, Charlotte’s positive energy has made her a beloved member of the Hydro family at Cheltenham.
Keep reading to learn more about Charlotte and what it is like to work at Hydro.
Congratulations on receiving the People that Matter Award! Can you describe what receiving this award means to you?
It feels like everything in my career led me to this moment. Employers don't always believe that kindness and care to your colleagues or employees plays one of, if not the most important part of, a person's professional life. Clearly, Hydro as an employer has broken the mold and shown otherwise by recognizing my efforts in exactly these disciplines. It is likely one of the biggest honors that will ever be bestowed upon me.
You exemplify the Hydro values beyond your daily work, what motivates you to go the extra mile?
I am a true believer of kindness being contagious. We are swallowed by our algorithms these days and stuck in an online echo chamber. This is exactly what motivates me to not just go the extra mile to care for every person that comes into my life, but also to encourage others to do the same. Sadly, negativity spreads much faster than positivity, and people often don't take accountability to kick start that positive change. However, I believe that showing individuals how much they matter and what a difference they make to all of those around them, is vital in encouraging a caring culture and community in the place where we spend a huge amount of our lives.
Which of Hydro’s values mean the most to you and why?
Care. Caring for others naturally breeds collaboration and takes courage in itself. Care could be as simple as asking one person every day if they are ok. We don't know what goes on in people’s lives and we have no control over that. What we do have control over is making each employee feel valued, included and cared for. This type of work ethic and collaboration also goes a long way to creating a safe and prosperous work environment which then leads to more viable societies. It’s a simple ethos that can bleed out positivity into many different pathways.
As a true ambassador for Hydro, what do you think makes our company a great place to work?
I think the openness of working for a brand like Hydro sets Hydro apart. There are key ways of developing professionally, personally and a unique view on collaboration across all regions which I find extremely exciting.
How would you describe our company culture?
I would say that globally, there is a proud unification among all the employees. This was corroborated during my week in Oslo, meeting a huge amount of new colleagues and immediately feeling a fellowship among them all.
You recently visited Oslo with your fellow award recipients. Any key takeaways from your Oslo trip you’d like to share?
There are too many to mention. Clearly the participation in the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, exhibition and private tour has completely blown me away. If we were to dissect the Laureate’s speech and look at the true meaning of how we can come to make a difference in the world, it is barely possible by any one person’s efforts. Showing Care, Courage and Collaboration needs to come from each of us as individuals and we need to take the responsibility to try and make the world a better place together. On a more personal note, I have recognized that nothing is out of any one person’s reach. This will remain one of my proudest achievements and has further motivated me to help make people’s lives better until my body no longer permits it.