Senior Account Director – Dentsu Creative Vietnam: “Always seek motivation and sustain it through discipline.”

“My advice is to always seek motivation and maintain it with discipline. My motivation is to strive to become a modern adult with knowledge, to create a positive impact, and to inspire learning in future generations,” said Ms. Uyen Nguyen, Senior Account Director at Dentsu Creative Vietnam and MBA student at Western Sydney University, class of 2022, during the MBA Meetup organized by UEH-ISB  in collaboration with Western Sydney University.

As you have been involved in the Media and Advertising field since graduating, could you share more about your work?

Currently, I serve as the Senior Account Director at Dentsu Creative Vietnam. I am responsible for Client Management and Project Management, assisting clients from the strategic planning phase to the execution of communication campaigns.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration majoring in Marketing, I have had the opportunity to experience diverse working environments in both agencies and client-side roles.

My years of work experience have provided a solid foundation for my future development. Understanding customer insights allows me to formulate appropriate communication strategies and solutions, helping to solve problems and achieve effective campaign results. The dynamic work environment, which demands adaptability, has honed my problem-solving skills and professional work ethic. Finally, working in the media industry, I am always aware of the importance of conveying accurate, positive, and responsible messages to the community—an ethical standard I strive to uphold.

In your opinion, which factor contributes more to career success: Motivation or Discipline?

I believe that motivation can create a short-term surge, but discipline is the key to achieving long-term goals. Discipline helps you manage your emotions, overcome temptations, and excel in tasks you may not enjoy.

For example, in my work, motivation comes from the desire to create campaigns that not only solve business problems but also convey messages, make a positive impact, and connect with users. The account management role also requires customer and project management skills, but there will be days when I don’t feel like pleasing anyone. At such times, it is discipline that helps me push through emotional distractions and face the tasks at hand. For me, doing my job well is a sign of respect for my profession and reflects my responsibility to those around me

As a manager, how are you applying these two factors in your work?

To ensure operational efficiency and team cohesion, balancing discipline and motivation is very important.

In terms of discipline, it’s essential to have a common set of rules that team members can easily follow. This includes processes for handling tasks and communication standards. Each individual should proactively familiarize themselves with the team’s common rules.

Regarding motivation, a manager needs to communicate regularly with team members, share common goals, clearly explain work requirements, and create opportunities for learning and development. I believe that timely recognition of achievements and encouragement during difficult times will motivate team members and help maintain their drive.

The balance between these factors will depend on the specific circumstances. If there are times when team performance declines, the manager needs to thoroughly understand the reasons behind it and find ways to address it by either increasing discipline or adjusting the approach.

As an MBA student at Western Sydney University, what moments have you faced challenges in maintaining motivation and discipline in your studies?

Before starting the MBA, I had a strong motivation for personal development, and discipline helped me get through difficult times.

A prime example is the Business Simulation Game taught by Mr. Michael Sharam. To make decisions in the business simulation, I had to read through a lot of materials and data, which at times left me exhausted.

However, thanks to my discipline and high determination, I was able to overcome these challenging tasks and complete them. Discipline helped me maintain a consistent study habit, develop critical thinking, and solve problems effectively, while also enhancing my teamwork and communication skills.

What has the MBA provided you with after completing the program?

The MBA has given me a wealth of valuable knowledge and experiences. I am particularly proud of the two challenges I overcame: (1) the Mindfulness Leadership Challenge and (2) the Business Simulation Game.

The first challenge—the Business Simulation Game taught by Mr. Michael Sharam—helped broaden my perspectives. Additionally, he not only conveyed knowledge in an understandable way but also encouraged me to develop the habit of staying updated on market developments by following foreign news outlets. This allowed me to gather more knowledge and market information for myself. After the course, I wrote a thank-you letter to Mr. Sharam for everything he imparted to us, especially the discipline he instilled through the continuous challenges he set.

The second challenge—the 28-Day Mindfulness Leadership Challenge—helped me cultivate a disciplined habit and understand the concept of self-awareness. The mandatory activities over the 28 days, such as meditating for 5 minutes each morning with classmates, cycling, and practicing mindful eating, created a positive routine in my daily life. I also learned about commitment and discipline after completing the series of challenges. Furthermore, regarding self-awareness, when I return to the company, I can share insights with employees about understanding oneself—knowing who you are, what you want, and clearly defining your role in the organization to live and work meaningfully.

Additionally, I truly value the opportunity to learn from my peers in the MBA program. They are experts in various fields, which has helped me expand my knowledge and gain valuable skills.

What advice do you have for younger generations on maintaining motivation and discipline in work, studies, and life?

My advice is to always seek motivation and sustain it through discipline. For me, my motivation is to become a modern adult with knowledge, to create a positive impact, and to inspire learning in future generations.

If your motivation is similar, here are my recommendations:

• Find motivation and maintain it with discipline.
• Be responsible for your commitments to yourself.
• Apply the “lotus flower principle” to understand the value of perseverance and discipline.

Thanks for the valuable and interesting insights shared by Ms. Uyen. Wishing you good health and success in your career!

MBA Meetup is a series of online networking events focused on academic journeys, learning experiences, and work insights shared by current and former students pursuing the MBA program.

See more: Events from the MBA program at Western Sydney University.