Learning to lead, the MBA way

Learning to lead, the MBA way

A veteran in the Composites and Adhesives industry, Jason Triggs chose to take on a larger role within his company. In order to equip himself with the necessary skills to lead his team, he joined RMIT’s MBA program – learn about his unique perspective and read on!

One reason people choose to take an MBA degree is due to the fact they discover themselves in situations that demand a transformation of their foundational work-related skills. 

This is where Jason Triggs, current MBA student in his final semester, found himself as the company whom he works for began to expand within Asia. Mr. Triggs took on a senior role at Allnex (composites and adhesives) as Commercial Director for New Business Development (NBD), Technical Services (TS) and Sales in Asia Pacific (APAC). 

However, coming from a technical background, Mr. Triggs knew that this new role was much more focused on the business side of the operation. He notes that “as changes within the group were happening, and specifically as we were being taken over by a Thai company, I took the challenge to be promoted and oversee a larger scope of the business. Personally, I wanted to rise up to that challenge and do well, but understood I needed to upskill myself in terms of leadership and strategic thinking. I also wanted to obtain a more holistic and forward-thinking view of the business.”

Although there were a number of online MBA options, Mr. Triggs wanted to be physically present in a classroom and being an Australian national, he knew RMIT’s reputation well. 

Jason Triggs, MBA student at RMIT Vietnam Jason Triggs, MBA student at RMIT Vietnam

With clear goals in mind, Mr. Triggs states that it was the core courses of Design Thinking for Business and Leadership and Management which had the most impact on his work. “These really opened my mindset on how to deal with people, and I used design thinking tools when I conducted the company’s strategy review meeting. We do not want to remain stagnant in the market and wish to reposition our business to create sustained value for our clients and stakeholders. The design thinking methodology really allowed my team to come up with some interesting ideas and unique perspectives.”

Mr. Triggs said that the main lesson he gained from Leadership and Management was understanding how to empower others. “I offload a lot of the regular work that I used to do,” he says, “and allow my team to make decisions. This requires a leader to place their trust in those under them, while remaining in communication to help give validation to their solutions.” 

With the end in sight for his MBA journey, Mr. Triggs reflects on the past two years, stating that the educational experience at RMIT ‘far exceeded’ his expectations. In terms of the lecturers, he states that “when they introduce themselves, you can really see how experienced and qualified they are.  I have appreciated all their different types teaching and learning styles and feel as though I've taken something away from each.”

Mr. Triggs confides that through his time taking the MBA at RMIT, he has learned how to listen more and take on board what his colleagues, clients and team members have to say. Importantly, he states that he “feels more confident in doing business in general, whether that is talking to clients, or presenting business strategies to senior level executives; I have the tools to express myself with assurance”.

Share

Related News

headshot of a woman

Taking a road less travelled to the MBA

Scholarship recipient Cassandra (Son Tra) Orion details her journey from Arts School and corporate life in America to choosing to reconnect with her heritage and relocate her family to Vietnam. Read the full article of her inspirational journey!

a headshot of a woman

Step by step change through an MBA

Meet one of RMIT’s graduating MBA students, Ngo Tran Thuc Anh, as she opens up about her early career struggles and how the MBA transformed her mindset and enhanced her management skills.

wooden blocks

Finding your way as a leader or as a manager

Leadership and Management is one of the many impactful courses offered as part of RMIT Vietnam’s revamped MBA program. Read on to discover how Dr. Greeni Maheshwari teaches this core course and how student-centric case studies as well as guest lecturers make up the main highlights for the student experience!

a headshot of a woman smiling

Bringing a quantitative touch to the postgrad classroom

Dr. Greeni Maheshwari, one of RMIT’s new lecturers to the business postgraduate program, is, in fact, not new to RMIT at all. With 15 years' experience teaching in the Economics and Finance department, she has made the move to Management since the past year, bringing with her a unique perspective to the classroom.

Back to postgraduate news