An informal meeting between the Head of the Design Bureau and young division managers who were appointed to their positions in 2025 took place at “UEC-Aviadvigatel” (a part of Rostec United Engine Corporation, member of Russian Engineering Union (Soyuzmash of Russia)).
The informal “shirt-sleeve” meetings between the Head of Design Bureau Takhir Khairulin and the company's youth have become a well-established tradition. The event brought together 24 managers appointed this year. Some had already been in their new roles for half a year, while others had only been in place for about a month. Team, laboratory, bureau, and department heads, as well as deputy heads, gathered to “compare notes”. The purpose was to exchange views on current topics, ask questions of senior management, and align their actions with the company's overall strategic direction.
“Regular informal meetings with the team help both to evaluate progress and to identify problems in a timely manner, allowing us to guide the development of our young leaders,” said Takhir Khairulin. “It's an effective tool for team development and for strengthening connections between departments and their people”.
The young managers were interested in a wide range of topics: the psychological aspects of transitioning to a managerial role, methods for organizing effective work under time pressure, the priority of results-driven work, the nuances of forming working groups, and the specifics of interacting with design bureau partners and external organizations, among other things. The conversation also covered issues related to the company's prospects and the upcoming tests of the PD-35 technology demonstrator engine.
“I wanted to get an update on the PD engine projects, discuss our company's prospects, as well as the state of affairs in the engine-building industry as a whole,” said Vitaly Shokov, Head of the Test Laboratory Team in the Dynamics and Strength Department.
All questions from the participants were met with comprehensive answers and, in some cases, practical advice from the experienced leader and mentor, Takhir Khairulin himself.
“This meeting with Mr. Khairulin was very timely for me personally. In our conversation he once again mentioned some crucial principles that apply to managerial work at all levels. These principles are not written in official instructions, but they significantly impact the success of our work. Sometimes, we lose sight of them in our daily routine," noted Nikolai Korshunov, Head of the Engine Nacelle Department.
The young managers admitted to feeling a touch of anticipation before their morning coffee with the Head of the Design Bureau. Any initial nerves, however, quickly gave way to a highly beneficial and productive discussion that fully met their expectations.
“This meeting was incredibly beneficial. Without the restrictions of formal operational meetings we could discuss important matters and exchange opinions with senior management and colleagues,” said Alexey Yakushev, Deputy Head of the Aircraft Engine Automatic Control Systems Department. “This format is key to building rapport and establishing a crucial ‘first’ connection with the Head of the Design Bureau in our new roles.”
It is without a doubt that these informal meetings of “UEC-Aviadvigatel” management with company’s youth will continue, as they have proven to be an effective tool for promoting transparent communication and strengthening the mutual understanding needed to drive the company forward.
