“Unlearning – The Key to Real Adaptation in the Digital Age.” Interview with Razvan Valceanu, Founder of the School of Unlearning

Razvan Valceanu, former General Manager of Bitdefender, explains why unlearning is essential for personal and professional success. Discover how his unique method works and what lessons he’s learned from his entrepreneurial journey.

Razvan Valceanu founded the School of Unlearning (Scoala de Dezvatare), an educational platform offering a clear and practical framework that helps people let go of habits, ideas, and methods that no longer serve them. With a solid background in digitalization and entrepreneurship, Razvan builds concrete bridges between personal development, professional growth, and the current demands of the Romanian job market.

After nearly a decade as General Manager of Bitdefender Romania & Republic of Moldova, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, exploring diverse fields such as made-to-measure fashion, technology, and academia. Over 1,000 professionals have taken part in his programs, and the School of Unlearning now collaborates strategically with corporations, universities, and wellbeing clinics.

The courses and programs offered combine cutting-edge technologies – such as virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) – with a proprietary unlearning method, providing adults with practical tools for rapid and sustainable adaptation to the future of work.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in one sentence to spark curiosity in those who don’t know you yet?
Razvan Valceanu: I’m Razvan, and I help people understand that any real change begins within – by letting go of outdated information and beliefs that no longer support the direction they want to pursue.

C&B: If we were to trace the narrative of your career or business, what were the defining moments?
Razvan Valceanu: The turning point was when I stepped down from my role as General Manager to pursue entrepreneurship in the made-to-measure fashion industry. It was a major leap, full of uncertainty. After that, I explored various fields, including tech and education. The true synthesis of my accumulated experience came with founding the School of Unlearning. Through this project, I aim to integrate unlearning into education as an essential process of adaptation.

C&B: What has been the most difficult moment in your journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
Razvan Valceanu: The toughest moment was realizing that the clear-cut strategies from the corporate world didn’t work in entrepreneurship. I had to let go of many learned behaviors and mindsets. I applied my own unlearning method: I identified what was holding me back and gradually replaced those elements with a mindset focused on adaptation and flexibility.

C&B: Has there always been a dream or ambition that guided you, no matter the obstacles?
Razvan Valceanu: Yes – to bring education where it truly matters. Not as empty theory, but as a real tool for transformation. I’ve always believed that people can learn anything if given the right context. That belief has been the driving force behind my ongoing commitment to educational projects.

C&B: How were you at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve transformed?
Razvan Valceanu: In the beginning, I was analytical, obsessed with control and efficiency. Over time, I learned that success comes from patience, relationships, and the ability to embrace uncertainty. Today, I’m much more focused on the quality of human connections and lead with trust and authenticity.

C&B: If we asked your team or collaborators, what do you think they’d say about you?
Razvan Valceanu: They’d probably say I’m direct and insist on clarity. I ask uncomfortable but useful questions. I want everything to be concrete and well-defined – no ambiguity.

C&B: What’s the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Razvan Valceanu: The most important was letting go of external models and creating my own educational method – tailored to Romania’s realities. It was a difficult but genuine decision that brought me closer to who I truly am.

C&B: How did you develop your leadership style? Was it a natural process or something you learned?
Razvan Valceanu: I developed it through mistakes and honest feedback. I went from excessive control to cultivating safe spaces for dialogue and shared decision-making. My leadership now is reflective and collaborative.

C&B: How do you handle differences in vision within a diverse team?
Razvan Valceanu: My leadership evolved gradually, rooted in many mistakes and honest – sometimes uncomfortable – feedback. At first, I tightly controlled processes, but I quickly learned that approach doesn’t work long-term. Now, I create space for real dialogue, actively listen, and make slower but more impactful and sustainable decisions.

C&B: What sets your business apart from the rest of the industry?
Razvan Valceanu: The School of Unlearning creates contexts, not just courses. We blend advanced technologies like VR and AI with wellbeing and self-awareness practices. The focus is on immediate applicability – people leave with concrete outcomes, not just theory.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you, and what moments bring you satisfaction?
Razvan Valceanu: I start my day with time for myself – clarity, planning, reflection. I focus on launching new projects and wrapping up ongoing ones. The most satisfying moments are the real confirmations I get from participants and spending quality time with loved ones.

C&B: What values guide everything you do?
Razvan Valceanu: Authenticity and responsibility. I don’t aim for perfection, but for real, daily progress. I want my actions to reflect my values – even when no one is watching.

C&B: If you were to send a message to those following your example, what would it be?
Razvan Valceanu: Don’t rush to learn something new. First, ask yourself what no longer serves you. What habit is holding you back? Unlearning doesn’t mean giving up on yourself – it means making space for who you can become.