Maxme: We’re big believers in the power of human skills. But don’t just take our word for it - the evidence for excellence powered by human (‘soft’) skills is everywhere! In this engaging, ever-enlightening series, we speak with industry leaders, innovators and game-changers to learn a little about their personal career journeys, and how human-led strategies, philosophies and cultures are proving a force for good in their working worlds …

Welcome Eugene, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight! 

You’re the Founder of IntFinite, an organisation that supports emerging purpose-driven businesses by providing business development services.

In 1 sentence (ok, we’ll give you 3), what does your role entail?

Eugene Fedorchenko: My role entails architecting new organisational designs, models and ways of working that are reflecting the changed world we are living in. The focus of IntFinite is to find purpose in organisations and develop business from there based on a human-centered approach.

M: You started your career working in legal before pivoting into a Strategic Advisor role for Hacken, a Strategic Business Development Manager for Fastlane Solutions. You’re now managing multiple roles as a business founder for IntFinite, Business Solutions Specialist at Vative, and Strategic Advisor for A.D.A.M and Capture the Bug (phew!).

How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual? 

EF: I’ve always been in consulting - it’s been more than 15 years now. This meant working on multiple projects and enabling the clients. My personal purpose along the way was to improve the world in whatever way I can while achieving equilibrium of how I invest energy between personal and professional interests. Whether through international justice when I was involved in cross-border dispute resolution across the entire Europe, assisting early stage Ukrainian startups in cyber security/biotech to reach global recognition. or advising Australian businesses on the best solutions in tech and process improvement like with Fastlane Solutions and Vative. 

Human relationships are at the heart of what I do and humane values are at the centre of any decision I make. My most recent business passion is organisational design, which covers everything I know about how businesses should ideally operate, balancing the elements of human / process / technology and ultimately purpose.

M: Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?

EF: I was born in Germany but grew up in the Ukraine in a family of Ukrainian military and scientists. My dream was to help nations and states globally find a common ground through international relations and law. Thus, I did my Masters of International Public Law in the best establishment of the country in this domain - Kyiv National University. Having practiced law for a couple of years with the local office of the US headquartered law firm Baker & McKenzie, I decided to advance myself and get a special degree in EU and Investment Law at the University of Lausanne (Switzerland). This elevated my international exposure as my study group represented 40 countries from literally every continent. 

My aspirations to consult in business and strategy grew as I advanced in my legal career and got involved in start-up advisory scene. By 2015-2016, I realised it was the optimal time to look into the future and project what the legal and regulatory consulting sector would look like over the next 10-15 years. The answer was obvious to me: the future is all about tech + strategy + power human skills. Thus, reliance purely on the linear career path and hard skills wasn’t an option for me.

I also was driven to give my son the opportunity to see and experience the world and to live in a new country. In 2017, Melbourne became home and I completed my MBS while continuing to advise Ukrainian startups in global expansion. 

As an outcome all my legal, international relations and business qualifications became standalone pillars, but also created experiences that transition into solid human and transferable skills. Out-of-the-box thinking, international mindset, being part of and creating resilient and supportive work cultures, handling tough negotiations, perseverance, interdisciplinary and future thinking are definitely the foundations of my current career path.

M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21 year old self it would be ...

EF: Never lose self-belief, as there is a divine plan for every human being. Be the change you want to see in the world.

M: Maximising the potential of individuals, communities and businesses through the power of human skills is the reason Maxme exists. Can you tell us a little about the role and / or value of human skills in your workplace or industry right now?

EF: Human skills are everything. The whole idea behind business is to create and deliver value. Both ends of the value chain in supply and demand are people, they are now and will be for the infinite unknown. 

IntFinite is a purpose-driven business growth advisory on a mission to help people find people to exchange value with, understand human decisions and better market their propositions. Since we’re dealing a lot with the tech domain (whether in professional services or product space), the value of human skills is indispensable for building partnerships, aligning decision makers, architecting alliances, meeting and generating demand. IntFinite and its ecosystem is all about finding the balance between proliferation of tech, process improvement and the value of humans. If there is no human element, technology and process become redundant. Therefore, human skills really do form the foundation of my business.

M: Self awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. What’s your strongest trait / personal super power?

EF: I believe it’s adaptability to change. Self-awareness is a vital element. It basically is an ongoing journey of improvement, which is impossible without understanding where one stands in the context of internal and external realms. I also practice the same approach when assessing organisations as the premise behind IntFinite is conscious, aware organisations as a collective of people.

M: And on the flip side, what’s one human / ‘soft’ skill you’ve had to really work on improving over the course of your career?

EF: Funnily enough - my superpower (adaptability) is actually the skill I need to continuously work on.

M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to work in a role that contributes to creating a purpose-driven business, what would it be?

EF: I would advise not avoiding your personal responsibility. Don’t get caught up in ego when the bigger picture is more important. If there’s a healthy culture of service to others without breaking our own boundaries we can be calm about the future of our world. 

M: You’ve been granted approval to add one Uni graduate to your business, but have 100 applicants, all with outstanding academic results. How do you find your perfect candidate - what are you looking for?

EF: Adaptability, open mind, passion and curiosity.

M: In the words of American philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.”

What’s next on your #learning agenda?

EF: My next big thing is to learn more from my kids as they come to this world with much clearer intuition and open mindedness than overwhelmed adults. They definitely challenge us, but also teach us in the process - about essentials like human values, love, compassion, empathy and true relationships. I’m an optimist, and kids and family are the best sources of optimism for me and my next learning agenda is alway life as “life is education itself”.

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