Thu Dang: A conversation about mistakes and trust

Thu Dang, Körber site: Dallas, USA 

I joined as a contractor more than 20 years ago – and built my path here. 

Not because everything was easy. 
But because I was trusted with ownership.  

Whenever I had an idea for improvement, someone backed me: 
“If you want to do this, I’ll help you.”  

That’s what empowerment means to me. 
And it’s one of the reasons I stayed. 

Trust, to me, isn’t built by sharing only the good news. 
Trust is built when you can also say: I made a mistake.  

And I did. 

A few years ago, I worked on a large infrastructure project with colleagues from Germany. 
I was passionate. But passion needs the right mindset. 
 
I wrote emails I regretted the same day.  
On my way home, I thought: That’s it. I’m done. 

Instead, I was called into the CFO’s office – and learned something that stayed with me. 

Listen. 
Reflect. 
Recognize mistakes and grow from them.
Learn to channel your enthusiasm with more leadership and collaboration. 

He gave me the space to prove that I could. 

That was the turning point: 
Not being “right.” 
But taking responsibility – and growing from it.   

That experience shaped me – as a person, and later as a leader. 

Later, during a major integration program, the pressure was intense.  
Tight timelines. Complex migrations. A new operating model.  

My manager and I didn’t always agree on the approach. 
But we aligned on the goal. 

And we delivered. On time. 

That’s how I stepped into the role of Regional Lead for IT in North America. 

And the story continues. 
 
Today, alongside my role in IT, I also work on Cyber Security topics. 
New territory. New challenges.  
Same principle.  

And I’m still learning. 

Because empowerment is not a buzzword.  

It’s what happens when leadership turns ownership into opportunity – and personal growth into organizational strength.