Dương's story - being a boss at 23

At 23, while friends my age were still feeling their way through career choices or enjoying their young years, I - Dương - was already carrying the responsibility of being a boss. It sounds like something to be proud of, but who understands that behind that glow lies an enormous weight of pressure.

Being young and inexperienced is a hard test. In a leadership role I have to make decisions every day, and I am not always sure I am right. Sometimes a small mistake costs me hours of questioning myself, asking whether I am heading the right way, whether the people I lead still trust me.

Being a boss at this age is not only a job; it is a test of maturity. The pressure of what employees, partners, family and I myself expect turns sleepless nights into an inseparable part of it. There is not much time to hesitate, because every decision carries meaning for a whole team.

But I have also come to see that pressure is not the enemy; it is the companion that helps me grow. The hard parts have taught me to listen more, to understand how the team feels, and to keep improving. I learned that a leader is not someone perfect, but someone who dares to be wrong, dares to put it right, and always faces forward.

If someone asks, "Is 23 too early to be a boss, Dương?" I will say, "There is no too early or too late; there is only whether you dare to face the challenge." And I am proud that I chose to face it. My legs may still be shaking on this road, but I know those steps will make a journey worth remembering.