Two years ago, at Emergence Foundation retreat near London, I had a moment that struck me to the core.

The facilitator of a session asked about culture:

“Who are your people, and what do you value?”

Being the youngest among a group of social entrepreneurs and activists from 40-60 years old, I was surprised to find myself sharing something deeply personal.

I shared something every Vietnamese student learns from Ho Chi Minh (“Uncle Ho” as we said it)

“Whether or not our country becomes equal to the strong nations depends on our effort in studying.”

As I said those words, I almost broke down.

But only in that moment did I realized what that teaching really contains:

Two deep assumptions:

1️⃣We are not equal

2️⃣ The solution is to work harder

This created the Vietnamese work ethic everyone knows, esp among the Vietnamese who went abroad for a better life (many of which are in Overseas Vietnamese)

We outwork most people.

We study harder.

We grind.

I have been that good student. I have put effort. I’ve been lucky and privileged enough to live in many major cities overseas: Singapore, Boston, London, now Dubai.

And here’s what I’m seeing now:

Vietnamese people, esp entrepreneurs work incredibly hard.

But our vision stays small-scale.

We don’t think systematically at scale.

We don’t see the bigger opportunities.

because

1. we don’t have the exposure
2. we have yet to examine just how deep our beliefs & values come from.

So instead of stepping back and thinking differently…

We just work harder.

Instead of questioning our approach…

We double down on effort.

That moment there where I almost cried was grief.

Grief for carrying an unnecessary burden.

Grief for recognizing how deep this programming runs.

Look, I’m grateful for the work ethic.

But I’m also questioning:

When does the situation need people who work harder versus people who see differently?

The real freedom isn’t working our way out of inequality.

The real freedom is examining what we inherited and choosing what actually serves us.

Some cultural programming serves you.

Some limits you.

The only way to know the difference?

Step back and really look.

​

Much love,

Khuyen

ps: What programming are you carrying that might be both your strength and your ceiling? Do let me know

​