Mykola Nikolaychuk: “I have loved agriculture since childhood.”

Blitz interview with the technical director of the Agro-Region Group of Companies, Mykola Nikolaychuk.

What influenced your choice of future profession?

Mykola Nikolaychuk: From childhood, I loved working on equipment repairs. I grew up in a village where my father owned land, tractors, and machinery. We personally prepared the equipment for agricultural work and I worked on it myself.

After military service, I enrolled in an Automotive Technical College to gain more knowledge about repairing engines, units, and aggregates of cars and tractors. With the relevant knowledge, I started working in a car service, and over 10 years, I rose from a manager to the director of the enterprise.

When I was offered a job in the agricultural sector, I found it interesting and agreed without hesitation. I have loved agriculture since childhood.

What qualities should a technical director have to successfully perform their duties?

Mykola Nikolaychuk: Confidence in decision-making, honesty, fairness, listening to the problems of subordinates, giving advice on their solutions – in such cases, subordinates understand that they are being listened to and become even more effective in the team.

Being loyal to the team, as well as showing firmness depending on the situations. It is important to maintain balance in the team so that there is no “I’m better, and you’re worse” situation. Not being afraid of changes, learning oneself, and teaching subordinates, being able to delegate, and being proud of the team’s successes, performing complex repairs, operational repairs, and so on.

Do young workers have sufficient education when they join the team, or is it important to have technical education?

Mykola Nikolaychuk: Of course, the level of young workers is insufficient; they come from educational institutions as theorists and nothing more. In our case, during the current year, we provide training on-site or at dealers selling equipment so that they gain new knowledge and learn how to work, adjust, and repair the equipment and machinery installed. Of course, it is better to have technical education, and for me, it is important that the employee has it.

How do you motivate the team, and what do you value most in people?

Mykola Nikolaychuk: For carrying out complex repairs or operational repairs, we try to reward employees. It is always easier for employees when each of them understands the vector of movement – where, why, and what they will get for it. If an employee does not understand the global goal, they cannot prioritize correctly.

In our case, the goal is one – to sow and grow good crops. For this, everyone in their place should perform their duties qualitatively and on time; we must be one team to achieve a common goal, and the annual bonuses for employees depend on this.

Where do you draw your strength from?

Mykola Nikolaychuk: I enjoy my work and find it fulfilling, so I have enough energy both at work and at home to work. New technologies, new equipment temper me as much as finding a way out of a very difficult repair situation or anything else. However, it is also important to rest; this is very important.