The Importance of "Face" in Everyday Communication:
The Things People Say
Part 2

I think it goes without saying, that nothing can pour gasoline on the fire of conflict like threatening someone's face. Often it derails the conflict because now it is redirected toward trying to re-establish face. Often people forget what the conflict issue was because they are absorbed in this process. Nothing gets done, people are wounded and the conflict remains unmanaged and unresolved. People involved become individually focused and are now concerned with their image and status. All the components of dysfunctional conflict.

According to Working Through Conflict: Strategies for Relationships, Groups, and Organizations by Folger, Poole and Stutman, there are three basic forms of face-saving:

1. People feel they must stand up to intimidation and feel people will perceive them as weak if they do not. They react by not giving in and seek just treatment.

2. People will adamantly defend their position in the face of resistance.

3. People will not confront because they feel they may suffer a humiliating defeat.

It is important to recognize what form is taking place to know how to counteract. As an example, when someone sees themselves as resisting unjust intimidation, you can counteract by demonstrating fairness, equity and respect.

Hello Audrey,
I attended the FCC Services LDPI class this week in New Orleans. I want to tell you that I really did enjoy your class and have been able to take away good learnings to put into practice.

Thank you again for your instruction. Thoroughly enjoyed.
Wendy Heimerl
Assistant Compliance Officer
Badgerland Financial

Hi Audrey,
Thank you for the great job. I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback, and some people were challenged with the ideas. We definitely started a discussion here!

Thank you again,
Sharayla A. Cleare
Sonoco
Marketing Manager, Global Flexibles