it leader — it leader — Antonina Zinovenko entered IT as an experiment, transitioning from a media and advertising background to become the manager of the art department at Wargaming. Without any technical expertise, she relied on her organisational abilities, communication skills, and management experience from her previous career.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Reflecting on her initial days, Antonina recalled her first introduction to the team: “When my first manager introduced me to the team, he literally said ‘Antonina is our experiment.’ And he was right: at that time I truly looked like the least typical IT candidate. For me, it felt like a challenge and an adventure. And I absolutely love challenges.”
It leader: Building a Thriving Team
Today, she leads an art team of over 120 individuals, showcasing that career success in IT can stem from soft skills combined with a readiness to learn. She asserts, “Professional growth is impossible without personal growth,” emphasising that both elements shape one’s impact in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Navigating a Male-Dominated Industry
In her journey, Antonina faced the challenge of establishing herself in a predominantly male industry. Two key experiences aided her progress. First, she learned the importance of asking questions, regardless of how basic they might seem. She admitted, “I think two things played a major role for me: not being afraid to ask questions and not being afraid to look silly.”
During her initial months at Wargaming, she maintained a notebook filled with unfamiliar terms, diligently researching concepts she encountered. “When you approach people with genuine curiosity and a desire to understand, they’re more than willing to take markers, draw diagrams on a board and walk you through everything,” she noted, crediting her colleagues for their willingness to share knowledge.
Embracing Authenticity
Another crucial aspect of her growth was learning to accept her identity. Antonina explained that she initially believed she had to adopt a serious persona in her new role. “Everything you did in advertising and journalism stays in the past. Now you work with very serious people, in a very serious company, so you must be very serious too.” However, she quickly realised that this approach was not authentic to her nature.
Her breakthrough moment came during a New Year project with the DevOps team, where she proposed creating a holiday video. Initially met with reluctance, the team ultimately embraced the idea and produced a fun video together. “That day was the first time I truly felt at home,” she shared, recognising that her sense of belonging stemmed from the people around her, not just the industry itself.
Essential Skills for Women in IT
When discussing the vital soft skills for women aspiring to leadership roles in IT, Antonina drew from her experiences rather than from years of accumulated knowledge. She pointed out three key areas: self-management, emotional resilience, and personal responsibility. “You can’t manage others well if you can’t manage yourself,” she stated, emphasising the need for self-awareness and recognising signs of burnout.
Antonina believes that emotional resilience is fundamental in management, describing it as a deeply human endeavour. “In leadership, you don’t have the luxury of inner chaos; people expect clarity, stability, and grounding from you,” she explained. This consistency is crucial for successfully navigating the complexities of team dynamics.
Moreover, she highlighted that personal responsibility should be an integral part of a manager’s ethos. Antonina reflected on her fortunate experiences with past managers who exhibited high levels of accountability, setting a standard she aspires to embody. “It’s a trait that builds trust and, in the long run, becomes a manager’s most valuable capital,” she added.
Finding Balance in Cyprus
Having worked in various environments, Antonina finds that Cyprus offers a unique pace that fosters a healthy work-life balance. “Cyprus has a very unique pace. It’s soft, but not slow; I’d call it healthy,” she remarked. Her grounding often occurs during lengthy mountain hikes, where she finds peace and clarity away from the demands of work.
Antonina expressed gratitude for the lessons she has learned from the Cypriots, particularly the importance of living in the moment. “I’ve learned to enjoy right now: to fly kites on Green Monday or drink coffee on the beach in January while watching the winter sea,” she reflected, highlighting the island’s influence on her outlook.
Staying True to Oneself
Throughout her career, Antonina has adhered to one guiding principle: “Be honest with yourself and with the situation.” This honesty involves acknowledging emotions, recognising limits, and confronting reality without illusions. “When you honestly acknowledge what is happening, inside you, inside the team, within the process, clarity appears. And when there is clarity, solutions appear.”
Entering IT as an ‘experiment’ led Antonina to discover her true professional identity, one that thrives on passion and collaboration. As she encourages others, “If you have a talent, any talent, whether it’s drawing with heart, writing code with excitement, or knowing how to lead people and help them grow, IT is open to you. This industry welcomes those who bring passion, dedication, and craft.”
