Lâm: So for the interview, as Linh mentioned in the Zalo chat, we will be talking about your

leadership experience. Could you please start by telling us your full name?

Aliesha: Yes, my name is Aliesha Duffin.

Lâm: Aliesha, thank you. What is your role here at Blue Dragon?

Aliesha: I am the Head of Communications and Fundraising. I lead the department

responsible for all external communications and fundraising efforts for Blue Dragon, and I
oversee a team of 25 people.

Lâm: Oh, okay, thank you. How long have you been in this role?

Aliesha: Not very long. I joined Blue Dragon about four months ago. I moved here from
Australia.

Lâm: What was your greatest work experience in Australia?

Aliesha: In Australia, I managed a retail store. Before that, I lived in Malaysia and worked in
online management for various NGOs.

Lâm: That sounds like a fascinating journey. Can you share with us how you became a
leader and describe your current position?

Aliesha: Sure. I originally moved to Vietnam in 2016, starting in digital marketing

management for FinTech and crypto companies. After some time, I decided to transition to
the NGO sector. I started volunteering for social enterprises and eventually pursued a
Master’s degree in international development. I applied for this role last November and
moved here for the position in May this year.

Lâm: What motivated you to shift from corporate to NGO work?

Aliesha: I found it difficult to feel passionate about my work when I didn’t believe in the
company's mission. I wanted to do something meaningful and contribute to society.
Working for an NGO allowed me to connect with like-minded people and focus on a greater
purpose, rather than just financial gain.

Lâm: How do you define successful leadership for yourself and those you lead?

Aliesha: I’m fortunate to work under great leaders here at Blue Dragon, such as our CO-
CEOs, V and Skye. They lead by example, offering support and openness, which is something
I strive to emulate. I aim to be patient, kind, and provide guidance while encouraging
professional development for my team.

Lâm: Thank you for that. What do you consider your greatest strength as a leader, and what
challenges have you faced?
Aliesha: One of my strengths is that I am a people person. I’ve worked with various cultures
and can bridge the gap between Western and Vietnamese work environments. However, my
patience can sometimes run thin, which is something I’m working on improving.

Lâm: How do you handle situations where you feel impatient?

Aliesha: I try to take a step back and breathe when I feel frustration building. In online
meetings, for example, I might take a moment to make a coffee to calm down. In face-to-face
meetings, it’s a bit harder, but I try to remain composed to keep the tension low in the room.

Lâm: What has been the most significant challenge you’ve faced so far at Blue Dragon?

Aliesha: Last week was particularly challenging. Due to the flood and typhoon, we worked
13-hour days to launch an emergency appeal, with my communications and fundraising
team working around the clock. The outreach team was also on the streets rescuing
families. It was a tough week, and I had to acknowledge and apologize to my team for losing
patience at times.

Lâm: Who do you consider a role model in leadership?

Aliesha: It might sound cliché, but Skye, one of our CO-CEOs, is a remarkable leader. She’s
firm yet patient, kind, and always ensures the job is done efficiently. I admire how she
handles stressful situations with such grace.

Lâm: Can you share an example where you found Skye’s leadership particularly admirable?

Aliesha: About two months after I started, I was struggling with some work. Skye helped me
calm down, offered several solutions, and we worked through the issue together. That
situation arose again later, and I was able to handle it much better thanks to her guidance.

Lâm: What brings you the most joy in your leadership role?

Aliesha: My team. They are incredibly passionate about their work, which is one of the
reasons I wanted to work in this sector. You can see how much they care, and that brings me
immense satisfaction.

Lâm: Is there a specific achievement or moment that stands out for you?

Aliesha: Yes, last week we raised the most money we ever have in a short period. Our
Facebook page grew by 2,000 followers. Though I didn’t do it myself, I oversaw the efforts,
and it was inspiring to see the team come together to support the Typhoon Yagi victims
while continuing our human trafficking rescues.

Lâm: Speaking of human trafficking, how challenging is that for Blue Dragon?

Aliesha: It’s one of the most difficult aspects of our work. Rescuing victims of human
trafficking while simultaneously handling crises like natural disasters is incredibly tough.
Lâm: What advice would you give to people like Linh and me, who are just starting to
develop leadership skills?

Aliesha: Listening is crucial. Ask your team what they need and involve them in decision-
making. Telling people what to do can lead to resentment. It’s important to create a space
where people feel valued and heard, and to ensure there is mutual respect.

Lâm: How do you deal with miscommunication in your team, especially in a multicultural
setting?

Aliesha: Miscommunication happens, especially in a multilingual environment. We try to set

clear expectations, and we use something called a 'passport' where everyone outlines their
preferred communication style. This helps us communicate in ways that suit each
individual.

Linh: So, I have a question. How do you motivate people within your team?

Aliesha: Motivation hasn't been much of an issue at Blue Dragon since everyone is
passionate about the work we do. But in general, I think it's important to give people space
and understand their needs. Sometimes, people are demotivated due to personal issues or
simply not caring about the job, and listening helps address that.

Linh: What is the most important quality of a leader, in your opinion?

Aliesha: Leading by example is crucial. You should be willing to do the same work as your
team. Here at Blue Dragon, Skye and V do that really well—they step in wherever needed,
and that sets a great example.

Linh: Can you tell us more about the differences between leadership here and in the West?

Aliesha: In Australia or New Zealand, you can be more direct with feedback. Here, a softer
approach works better, especially when delivering critiques. I had to adjust my
communication style to fit the culture, and it has been an ongoing learning experience.

Linh: Have you had any moments when your direct approach didn't work?

Aliesha: Yes, in a team meeting early on, I suggested a change in the way we were doing
something without fully understanding the team’s process. It wasn’t received well, and I
later realized I should have approached the situation differently.

Linh: What do you think you would like to change about your team or the environment
here?

Aliesha: I would like to improve communication between the different teams. Sometimes
donor relations and communications teams don’t sync up as well as they could, and I’m
working on bridging that gap to create better communication flow, which I believe is
essential for a positive work culture.
Lâm & Linh: Thank you, that will be the end of our interview. We appreciate your presence
here today.

Aliesha: Thank you. Have a great day!