
In "Saving Face," Maya Hu-Chan redefines an Asian concept as a universal leadership principle. Endorsed by Marshall Goldsmith and Frances Hesselbein, it reveals how preserving dignity builds trust across cultures. What if the secret to effective leadership isn't power, but honoring others' humanity?
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A homeless man walks into Carnegie Deli and asks for food. Rather than accept charity, he insists on trading a coupon for half a sandwich-refusing the handout until he can give something in return. This small moment reveals something profound: dignity isn't a luxury reserved for boardrooms and diplomatic summits. It's the oxygen of human interaction, and when it's stripped away, relationships suffocate. For 2,500 years, cultures worldwide have understood this invisible force as "face"-the social currency that determines whether doors open or slam shut, whether teams thrive or fracture, whether careers soar or stall. What if the key to every meaningful connection in your life isn't what you say, but how you make others feel about themselves? Face isn't about avoiding awkward moments at dinner parties. It's the composite of your self-esteem, reputation, status, and fundamental sense of worth-all rolled into one invisible bank account that others constantly withdraw from or deposit into. Every time you express genuine gratitude, amplify someone's contribution, or have their back when things go sideways, you're making deposits. Every dismissive comment, public criticism, or moment of disregard? That's a withdrawal. This isn't cultural relativism or Eastern mysticism. It's universal human psychology. Whether you're negotiating in Shanghai or Seattle, managing in Mumbai or Munich, everyone shares the same core needs: appreciation, respect, authenticity, and consideration. Face is simply the framework that makes these needs visible and actionable.