Every Friday morning, the Tubudd community gathers for more than just conversation. It’s a moment of reflection , a space to slow down, breathe, and connect with the deeper lessons behind success and leadership.

In The Friday Morning #135, that spirit came alive with Ms. Nguyen Vien An, CEO of VAG Holding, the company behind the popular tea brand Yihetang. Known affectionately online as “An Tổng”, Ms. An has built a reputation for her warm, empowering messages about leadership, mindset, and life balance.

Her presence at Tubudd brought a fresh wave of positive energy, wrapped in calm confidence , a reminder that true leadership doesn’t shout; it uplifts.

Change Begins Within

Under the pressure of constant work intensity, it’s easy to lose balance , especially in a world where performance is often measured by speed.

But Ms. An began her session with a simple truth:

“True change always starts from within. Change your mindset, and your actions will follow. Change your actions, and your results will too.”

Her words resonated with everyone in the room , founders, team leads, and young professionals alike.

Because in the pursuit of success, it’s easy to forget that energy is contagious. The mindset you bring to work doesn’t just affect your productivity , it affects your team’s mood, communication, and overall environment.

Ms. An believes that maintaining stable, joyful, and positive energy is the foundation for lasting success. When you lead from a place of calmness and purpose, people naturally align with your rhythm.

That mindset is at the heart of Gen Z workplace balance , a growing movement toward harmony between ambition and well-being.

Two Worlds, One Team

With most of her team made up of Gen Z employees, Ms. An faces what many modern leaders do: bridging two very different worlds.

One world is shaped by structure, experience, and logic , built through years of business lessons, trial, and discipline.
The other moves at the speed of emotion and creativity , full of curiosity, new ideas, and the desire for self-expression.

It’s a beautiful tension, but also a daily challenge.

“Working with Gen Z comes with natural barriers , differences in mindset, communication, and work rhythm,” she shared. “But that’s what makes it exciting. I learn from them every day.”

This dynamic captures the modern reality of the Gen Z workplace balance: both generations are learning from each other. While older leaders bring structure and direction, younger teams bring innovation and emotional intelligence.

And between the two lies the sweet spot , harmony.

Harmony Over Perfection

At Yihetang, where the brand’s youthful energy meets the discipline of a large organization, balance is more than a buzzword , it’s a practice.

The young team constantly juggles two extremes:

• The pressure of fast-paced work and ambitious goals.
• The warmth of a company culture built on empathy, care, and connection.

To Ms. An, leadership means creating space for both.

“The key is harmony,” she explained. “Give people room to pause, reset, and find meaning in what they do.”

When leaders allow their teams to breathe, they don’t lose productivity , they gain purpose.

This philosophy also reflects one of her most powerful beliefs:

“Employees don’t leave companies , they leave leaders.”

It’s a statement that struck a chord across the room. Because in a time when Gen Z workers value authenticity and mental health as much as salary and benefits, leadership today isn’t about authority. It’s about empathy.

What Gen Z Truly Values

When asked what she expects most from her young team members, Ms. An’s answer was clear and heartfelt:

“What I value most is responsibility and initiative. Skills can be learned, but those two qualities come from within.”

Her words highlight an essential truth about the Gen Z workplace mindset. While this generation thrives on creativity and flexibility, they also crave meaning. They want to be trusted , not micromanaged.

They want leaders who listen, not just direct.
They want work that feels alive, not just productive.

In return, when Gen Z feels seen and empowered, they show up with remarkable ownership and innovation.

That’s what makes balance so crucial , not just in schedules or workloads, but in human connection.

Balanced Perfection: A Modern Leadership Mindset

“Balanced Perfection” , the theme of The Friday Morning #135 , perfectly captures Ms. An’s philosophy.

Perfection, she said, isn’t about flawlessness. It’s about wholeness. A leader who is grounded, yet adaptable. A team that’s driven, yet compassionate.

This approach is transforming how leaders across industries think about workplace culture , especially in startups and creative companies where Gen Z plays a central role.

In a world that celebrates hustle, Ms. An reminds us that balance is strength. Because without emotional clarity and mental calm, even the most talented teams burn out.

And in the long run, it’s not intensity that sustains success , it’s consistency.

The Friday Morning Reflections

Each Friday Morning session at Tubudd brings together people from diverse backgrounds , founders, creators, dreamers , united by one simple idea: growth through connection.

This week’s conversation with Ms. An reminded us that leadership isn’t about managing people. It’s about understanding them. It’s about finding that middle ground where performance meets purpose, and where ambition coexists with empathy.

As the room filled with nods, laughter, and quiet moments of realization, one thing was clear , balance isn’t a static state. It’s a daily practice.

And in that sense, every leader and every Gen Z professional is still learning, adjusting, and redefining what balance truly means.

Looking Ahead: Building the Future, Together

As The Friday Morning series continues, Tubudd remains committed to creating spaces where authentic stories meet shared learning.

The conversation on Gen Z workplace balance is far from over , it’s evolving every day, in offices, cafes, and co-working spaces where young professionals are reshaping the future of work.

So as you head into your weekend, take a moment to ask yourself:

How can I bring more harmony into the way I lead, create, or collaborate?

Because balance isn’t something you find , it’s something you build, moment by moment.

See You Next Friday

A heartfelt thank-you to Ms. Nguyen Vien An, CEO of VAG Holding, for bringing her light, energy, and wisdom to The Friday Morning #135.

And to everyone in the Tubudd community , thank you for being part of a movement that values growth through understanding, and success through balance.

Stay tuned for upcoming sessions of The Friday Morning, where we’ll continue to welcome remarkable guests , founders, innovators, and changemakers who redefine what it means to grow with purpose.

Because Friday mornings at Tubudd aren’t just about conversations , they’re about transformation.