Strength Through Humility
For Trung Giang, MBA ’16, humility is not a leadership tactic – it is the foundation of how he leads, makes decisions and serves others. As owner of Right at Home and Universal Windows Direct of Central Texas, his title suggests authority, but his approach reflects something different.
“I truly do not see my role primarily as the person at the top of the org chart,” Giang said. “I see it more as a steward. That mindset starts with humility.”
That perspective is especially evident in his work with Right at Home, an in-home care company that supports seniors and families during vulnerable seasons marked by fear, stress and uncertainty.
“Our caregivers are the ones in the homes every day, helping clients with bathing, toileting, transferring and companionship,” Giang said. “They are the frontline, and they carry the emotional weight of the work.”
Rather than placing himself above that work, Giang keeps his focus on the people delivering that care.
“Humility reminds me that I am not the one providing the hands-on care,” he said. “My responsibility is to support them, remove obstacles, listen well and create a culture where they feel valued and respected.”
That same mindset carries into his work at Universal Windows Direct. Whether it is installers working long hours in the Texas heat or sales professionals building trust with homeowners, Giang keeps his attention on the individuals representing the company each day.
“Humility keeps me grounded in the reality that the success of the company depends far more on their excellence than on my title,” he said. “I’m not the one installing windows or sitting at kitchen tables earning a homeowner’s trust – my team is.”
His understanding of leadership has evolved over time. Earlier in his career, he viewed it through the lens of setting vision, making decisions and driving results. Today, that definition has shifted.
“I’ve come to see leadership less as authority and more as supporting the people who carry out the mission every day,” Giang said. “I have learned leadership is less about authority and more about humility.”
That shift is most evident in how he approaches difficult moments. During a challenging personnel decision, Giang anticipated a tense and potentially confrontational conversation. Rather than preparing to assert authority, he chose to lead with composure and respect.
“Even though the decision had been made, she was still a person with frustrations, pressures and a perspective that deserved to be heard,” he said. “I allowed her to share her side without interruption and acknowledged where she felt unsupported or misunderstood.”
The outcome did not change, but the tone did. The conversation remained calm and respectful, reinforcing a principle that continues to guide his leadership.
“That situation taught me that authority does not require intimidation,” Giang said. “I don’t have to raise my voice to demonstrate strength – humility allows me to lead with composure and protect the dignity of others, even in difficult moments.”
Today, Giang is intentional about how he practices humility in his leadership.
“Listen with the intent to understand, not simply to respond,” he said. “Ask for feedback genuinely, admit mistakes quickly and give credit freely. Those are the things that shape culture over time.”
Those habits are rooted in lessons that began during his time at the Hankamer School of Business, where he encountered professors who modeled humility through honesty and transparency.
In Marketing, Dr. Ann Mirabito spoke openly about career setbacks, reframing failure as an opportunity for growth – a message that reshaped how Giang viewed his own experiences.
“Hearing that reframed my own experience,” Giang said. “It taught me that setbacks are not defining unless we allow them to be, and that humility means acknowledging failure without being paralyzed by it.”
In Entrepreneurial Finance, Dr. Bill Petty brought in business leaders who shared both success and struggle with equal candor, reinforcing that same mindset.
“There was no ego in the room,” he said. “These were accomplished leaders, but they spoke with honesty about their failures and doubts. That showed me that strength and humility can coexist.”
Faith also plays a central role in how he understands humility. It shapes his belief that leadership carries responsibility – in how he treats others, how he responds in difficult moments and how he uses his influence.
“My faith has shaped my understanding that leadership is a responsibility, not a status,” Giang said. “It reminds me that I’m accountable for how I treat people and how I lead.”
For Giang, humility is not a one-time decision. It is a daily commitment. – one he encourages others to embrace.
“Be confident but stay teachable,” he said. “Listen more than you speak. Take responsibility when you make mistakes. True leaders are the ones who earn it through service, accountability and character.”
