Company Stats

Guest: Vladimir Baranov, Founder, Coach & Creator of Human Interfaces

Industry: Leadership Development / Startup Coaching

Company: Human Interfaces

Focus: Coaching technical founders in communication, leadership, and fundraising

Tech Stack: Fintech, aerospace, deep tech, human development, venture-backed scaling

Episode Highlights

✅ Vladimir shares his journey from engineering to finance to space tech—and why none of them felt complete until he stepped into founder coaching.

✅ Learn why many technical founders fail—not because of their product, but because of the “interface” problem: poor communication and leadership skills.

✅ Discover how fear and introversion block startup success—and how to beat both through repetition, improv, and mission-driven outreach.

✅ Vladimir explains the “doctor vs. patient” metaphor for better pitching, and why understanding others’ mental models is key to traction.

✅ Get actionable ideas for building leadership skills outside the office—from organizing birthday parties to leading nonprofit efforts.

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Innovator’s Impact, host Darnell Perkins sits down with Vladimir Baranov, a former engineer turned founder coach, to explore the human side of startup success. Vladimir built systems in fintech and aerospace, launched multiple startups, and even helped send instruments into space. But it wasn’t until he started working with people, not just products, that he found his true impact.

Now, through his company Human Interfaces, Vladimir helps technical founders master the one thing most of them were never taught: how to lead, pitch, connect, and communicate. This episode dives deep into his frameworks for building “human interfaces”—skills that unlock fundraising, hiring, team-building, and growth.

Whether you're a shy engineer or a scaling founder, this conversation is packed with hard-won wisdom on how to lead without faking it, pitch without panic, and grow without losing what makes you human.

Notable Questions We Asked

Q: What made you shift from building tech to coaching humans?

A: After two startups—one sold, one fizzled—I realized the most valuable leverage wasn’t in code. It was in people. Helping technical minds communicate and lead felt far more impactful.

Q: What’s the biggest communication blind spot for engineers?

A: They often assume others think like they do. But your model of the universe isn’t universal. Learning how others process info is critical to influence.

Q: How can introverts start building soft skills without feeling fake?

A: Practice safely. Toastmasters, improv, side projects—they all give you “reps” without risking your job. Skill comes before confidence.

Q: How much does fear hold people back from stepping up?

A: A lot. But you don’t defeat fear—you out-practice it. Fear shrinks as repetition grows.

Q: What’s your advice for someone who feels stuck on an island?

A: Find your co-travelers. Join communities, meetups, or even run your own event. Progress multiplies when shared.

Chapters

00:00 – Meet Vladimir Baranov & His Journey to Founder Coaching

01:40 – From Robotics to Finance to Startups

03:00 – Why Selling His Startup Felt Emotionally Empty

04:00 – Discovering Impact in the Aerospace Sector

05:00 – Where Technical Founders Get Stuck

06:50 – Building “Human Interfaces” as a Framework

08:15 – The Doctor vs. Patient Pitching Metaphor

09:30 – Adjusting Communication to Different Audiences

10:15 – How Fear Interferes with Progress

11:00 – Improv, Toastmasters, and Practice Opportunities

12:20 – Hidden Leadership Training in Everyday Life

13:40 – Progress ≠ Perfection — Give It Time

15:00 – Volume + Direction = Breakthrough

17:00 – Why Community Is Crucial to Growth

19:00 – Coaching Opportunities & Where to Connect

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