Mid-level content operations contractor wanted in HCMC or Đà Lạt to publish across Substack, Substack Notes, WordPress, YouTube and podcasts using ElevenLabs and Libsyn, with a paid two-week trial followed by a rolling three-month contract
The incident that shouldn’t have happened Last night, I found myself in the emergency department of My Hoa Hospital in Da Lat with dangerously high blood pressure (161/81, later rising to 170/89), chronic headaches, and unexplained bruising while on blood-thinning medication. What happened next was a masterclass in leadership failure that every manager, executive, and…
Context matters Vietnam is often compared to Singapore as a development benchmark. While useful at a macro level, this comparison breaks down psychologically. Leadership strategies cannot be transplanted without considering history, hierarchy, and cultural expectations. Copying systems without translation creates friction and disengagement. Good leaders design strategies that fit local realities rather than imported ideals.…
The invisible workforce Neurodivergence and emotional complexity exist in Vietnamese workplaces, but are often masked to preserve conformity and harmony. Leaders who rely solely on motivation overlook structural stressors. Clear expectations, predictable routines, and reduced ambiguity support performance more effectively. Leadership shapes nervous systems as much as outcomes. Lesson for leaders Difference is often hidden…
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Psychological safety in Vietnam
Myth, mistranslation, or opportunity? Psychological safety is often framed as speaking freely without fear. In Vietnam, safety is relational rather than verbal. People may feel safe while remaining silent if relationships and status are preserved. Silence does not automatically indicate fear. Leaders create safety by protecting people after mistakes, not by encouraging constant openness. Lesson…
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When loyalty beats competence
The quiet leadership trap Vietnamese organisations often prioritise loyalty as a stabilising force. This preserves trust and continuity, especially in uncertain environments. Over time, however, excessive loyalty can crowd out competence. Underperformance is tolerated to avoid relational damage, creating stagnation. Effective leaders develop capability quietly rather than confronting loyalty head-on. Sudden reform destabilises trust and…
Why feedback often fails Feedback systems imported from Western organisations frequently fail in Vietnam, even when the content is accurate. Public correction damages dignity and status, reducing long-term effectiveness. Staff may comply superficially while disengaging internally. Performance improves when feedback is private, relational, and framed as protection rather than exposure. The goal is not avoidance…
Why feedback often fails Feedback systems imported from Western organisations frequently fail in Vietnam, even when the content is accurate. Public correction damages dignity and status, reducing long-term effectiveness. Staff may comply superficially while disengaging internally. Performance improves when feedback is private, relational, and framed as protection rather than exposure. The goal is not avoidance…
The screenshots below are presented in chronological order to illustrate how the interaction evolved. This interaction began well. Warm, human, professional enough to inspire confidence. I was looking for an older female Labrador. Not a puppy. I was explicit about my age, my energy levels, and my long familiarity with the breed. Suitability mattered more…
The screenshots below are presented in chronological order to illustrate how the interaction evolved. This interaction began well. Warm, human, professional enough to inspire confidence. I was looking for an older female Labrador. Not a puppy. I was explicit about my age, my energy levels, and my long familiarity with the breed. Suitability mattered more…