• 2026-10-22

Leadership Has No Gender

Nhan Huc Quan (*)

Nhan Huc Quan, GM of New Toyo (Vietnam), believes that a progressive company should be measured not simply by the number of women in leadership positions, but by whether they are genuinely given opportunities, heard, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Women today have more opportunities than ever to develop their careers and demonstrate their leadership abilities. Yet they continue to face considerable expectations regarding their roles in the family and society. Amid these competing expectations, is there a universal standard by which every woman’s success should be measured?

With nearly three decades of experience working in and leading businesses, Nhan Huc Quan, GM of New Toyo (Vietnam), shares her perspective on overcoming stereotypes, balancing life’s many responsibilities, and redefining success at different stages of life.

There Is No Need to Be Perfect in Every Role

Women today have more opportunities to develop their careers, but they also face considerable expectations at home. In your view, are these expectations a source of motivation or pressure?

Nhan Huc Quan: Expectations can be motivating, but without understanding and mutual support, they can easily become a source of pressure.

In Asian culture, women are often expected to succeed professionally while also fulfilling their roles as wives and mothers and maintaining a harmonious family life. What is worth reflecting on is that when a man succeeds, his family is often regarded as his strong support system. Yet when a woman succeeds, she sometimes has to prove that she has not neglected her family responsibilities.

I believe it is time we recognized that building a happy family is a shared responsibility, rather than treating it as a measure of how much a woman is willing to sacrifice. When the family becomes a source of support instead of additional pressure, women gain greater strength to grow and contribute.

As you progressed to become GM of New Toyo (Vietnam), how did you overcome stereotypes about women’s leadership abilities?

Nhan Huc Quan: I grew up professionally in the industrial manufacturing sector, where most leadership positions were traditionally held by men. A common stereotype at the time was that women would struggle to adapt to an environment requiring technical and technological knowledge, production management capabilities, and the ability to navigate severe market fluctuations.

I, too, went through periods when I had to balance my responsibilities as a mother with my management duties. After giving birth to each of my two children, I made a conscious effort to stay connected to work remotely whenever circumstances allowed. This was a personal choice, shaped by my own circumstances and sense of responsibility, not a standard I expect other women to follow.

Over time, I realized that the most convincing way to overcome stereotypes is not to argue against them, but to demonstrate competence through tangible results. I focused on building strong teams, strengthening management systems, developing corporate culture, and improving operational efficiency, while gradually improving employees’ incomes and benefits.

I believe leadership ability is not determined by gender, but by a leader’s mindset, courage, character, and the value they create for the organization.

You have emphasized empathy and encouragement in people management. How do you balance empathy with decisiveness when leading a business?

Nhan Huc Quan: In management, empathy enables leaders to understand people, while decisiveness ensures that the organization does not lose its direction.

I am willing to listen patiently. However, when decisions involve principles, business ethics, or the long-term interests of the company, a leader must have the conviction to make a choice, even when that choice is difficult.

Experience has taught me that not every situation calls for firmness, just as not every concession is an expression of compassion. What matters is ensuring that every decision is appropriate, fair, and consistent.

A good leader does not always have to appear strong, but must know when to be accommodating and when compromise is simply not an option.

Have you ever had to sacrifice personal priorities to pursue your career? How have these experiences changed your perspective on the expectation that women must excel in every role?

Nhan Huc Quan: Certainly, but I see these as conscious choices rather than sacrifices.

Over the years, I have devoted many evenings, weekends, and even holidays to studying, reading, expanding my management knowledge, and improving myself.

I understand that every choice comes with an opportunity cost. When we devote time to one thing, we inevitably have less time for something else. I have come to realize that women do not need to be perfect in every role at every moment. What matters is knowing what to prioritize at each stage of life and having the courage to make the choices that best fit those priorities.

Defining Success on Your Own Terms

After many years of leading a business, how has your definition of success changed?

Nhan Huc Quan: Success is not a fixed destination. It is a concept that evolves through different stages of life.

When we are young, success may simply mean finding a good working environment, having opportunities to learn, and being able to demonstrate our abilities. In middle age, we often focus on career achievements, social recognition, and financial independence.

But as I approached my sixties, I realized that the things I once considered important were not necessarily my top priorities anymore. I still value the achievements I have made, but I no longer see job titles, wealth, or recognition from others as the sole measures of success.

If youth is a journey of striving to become somebody, then maturity teaches us that the deepest form of success is living authentically, without needing to prove our worth against other people’s standards.

In addition to leading New Toyo (Vietnam), you also write books and share your knowledge. What do these activities mean to you at this stage of your life?

Nhan Huc Quan: I do not see writing books as another achievement to add to my professional résumé. Rather, it is a way to engage in a dialogue with life and share what I have learned.

After many years of experience in business and life, I have come to understand that some of the most valuable lessons do not come from the classroom. They come from setbacks, mistakes, moments when we push beyond our own limits, and periods of quiet reflection.

I write to preserve these lessons, first for myself and then in the hope that they may serve as a useful reference for others. I have no ambition to offer anyone a formula for success, because each person has their own circumstances and their own journey.

If business has taught me how to create value, writing has taught me how to give that value to others. At this stage of my life, that is a simple yet profound source of joy.

 

Women are increasingly demonstrating their capabilities and taking on greater roles in business management

and leadership, while gaining more opportunities to grow and pursue their own values. Photo: Company-provided.

What changes do companies need to make to ensure that women can develop their careers without being constrained by gender stereotypes?

Nhan Huc Quan: Companies need to move beyond the mindset of simply creating favorable conditions for women and instead build an environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to grow based on their abilities.

At New Toyo (Vietnam), women currently account for approximately 25% of our management team. We place strong emphasis on employee training and development, organize health and wellness programs, pay attention to employees’ mental well-being, and foster a learning culture through reading and knowledge sharing.

However, even meaningful employee benefits are not enough on their own. More importantly, companies must create opportunities for women to take on positions with greater responsibility, ensure that they are evaluated fairly, and recognize their contributions in a manner that reflects their capabilities.

I value traditional virtues such as công, dung, ngôn, hạnh (traditionally understood as virtue, appearance, speech, and conduct). However, these values must be understood in the context of modern society, where women have the right to develop their intellect, achieve economic independence, and choose a way of life that suits them.

Women should not be confined to certain occupations simply because they are perceived as more meticulous or skillful than men. Career opportunities should be based on each individual’s abilities and aspirations.

A progressive company should be judged not simply by the number of women in leadership positions, but by whether women are genuinely given opportunities, heard, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Thank you for sharing your insights!

 

(*) General Manager, New Toyo (Vietnam) Aluminium Paper Packaging Co., Ltd.