In September 2025, at the “Book Country” festival in Kyiv, the first presentation of the book “Antimanager. Level 1. I and Only I” took place.
The book’s author and founder of IT Grow Center, Olesia Ulianova, Ph.D., MBA, presented the work that opens a trilogy about the modern manager — one who begins not with managing others, but with managing themselves.
About the Book
“Antimanager” is not just another management guide.
It’s a book about the human being inside the system — about how to stay alive, thoughtful, and resilient in a professional environment that’s constantly changing.
The author explores:
💡 how to form a personal development strategy;
🔥 how to recognize and overcome burnout;
🧭 how to make decisions under uncertainty;
⚖️ how to build a career without losing meaning or balance.
“Antimanager is not a protest against management.
It’s a path toward maturity — toward the ability to manage not only people, but also your own state, focus, and sense of purpose,”
— says Olesia Ulianova.
Book Premiere at “Book Country” Festival
The presentation was held as a live discussion on the human dimension of management.
During her talk, Olesia shared how the idea of Antimanager was born, why the manager of the new era must begin with the “I” level, and how inner flexibility is becoming the core skill of the future.
The event brought together managers, HR professionals, educators, and business school students — all united by one idea:
Management begins with self-awareness.
Why This Book Matters for IT Grow Center
The book became the conceptual foundation of IT Grow Center’s educational programs dedicated to soft skills, emotional resilience, and personal effectiveness.
Its frameworks have already been integrated into the Center’s training formats and leadership programs for managers and teams.
“Antimanager is where true professional growth begins.
We can’t build strong teams without understanding our own boundaries and values,”
— notes the IT Grow Center team.
What’s Next
The journey continues.
In 2025, the second book — “Antimanager. Level 2. I and WE” — will be released, focusing on communication, trust, and collaboration within teams.
The final volume, “Level 3. I and THEY,” will explore a new type of leadership for the age of transformation.
