The Back Story – Jeffrey von Drehnen

Jeffrey von Drehnen - Australia

The Back Story monthly interview features ADAPTOVATE employees from around the world.

Our team is the greatest asset we have, and it’s a privilege to share just a little bit more about who they are. This month we feature Jeffrey von Drehnen a Project Lead in our Australian office.

First up - how long have you worked with us? 

I started in February 2021

Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

Over the previous decade I had worked in a variety of Government roles, around strategy and delivery. I liked it but was ready for a change. I wanted a job where I got to work on interesting things with interesting people. I imagined a life where I could work overseas and take breaks to travel. ADAPTOVATE looked like a good fit! I also appreciated that we worked with clients and in teams. The hands-on teaming aspect made it seem like a place that could be fun - and it is! The people I spoke with during the interview process were also just really lovely. I would say for me that was what sold it.

How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

My experience has very much defined me and how I work. I have been lucky to work on different pieces of work with some very clever and kind people over my career. I feel like I have learned so much from the people around me and continue to do so here at ADAPTOVATE.

I remember the first time I ever met a management consultant. I loved how they worked, sprinting toward an answer but working together to make something excellent - this looked like a fun way to work so I decided I wanted the same thing!

We get to meet so many people, each with their own way of thinking and approaching the relationship between work & life I haven't always gotten exactly the job I wanted when I wanted it, but I am pretty happy with how my career has panned out so far. To paraphrase Steve Jobs, it's only when we look backward do we see how it all fits together.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Teleporting would be a pretty cool super power if you could take friends with you…

What do you most value in your friends and in colleagues - and are they different things?

Everyone brings something different to the table. Some people make me laugh, some people make me think, some people are just nice to be with Kindness and humour are two of my favourites though - who doesn’t like to laugh?!

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

I am a big fan of Paul Dolan's work. He is an economist that also studies happiness. He boils it down to a balance between Pleasure and Purpose. We need to find the balance that feels right for us; when the two are out of whack, something's up!

Purpose can come from work, family, friends - anywhere we feel a sense of something bigger than ourselves. Pleasure can really come from almost any moment: music, doing work from a café, holiday planning. It's up to us to inject Pleasure where we can - it doesn't need to be the weekend for it to be a nice day.

What is your greatest extravagance

I eat a lot of hot chips with chicken salt.

What is your motto?

So many good ones out there but at the moment I like 'Today is a good day to have a good day'.

Finally - You've time travelled back to your 10- year old self - What advice would you give?

A tough one...I wish I started tennis earlier! Maybe something along the lines of don't be afraid to go big, be silly and make all the mistakes along the way.