Face and Leadership (in Thailand)

Larry has written one of the best books on Thai culture that I've ever read, The Way Thais Lead. His focus is face and leadership, but what is really valuable is his in-depth research combined with his lifetime of experience in Thailand. The book dissects Thai face and values and distills them down to not just historical roots, but actual practical daily examples of leadership. If you want to understand Thai culture, read this book FIRST.

Here he is on Thai TV talking about it, in both Thai and English.

Persons details out the different types of face and how Thais gain and lose the same. Appearance, honor, acclaim, virtue, and personal essence are all factors in face in different times, spaces, places and for each individual. Understanding that helps in navigating Thai business and political culture. For example, there is a great discussion in chapter 8 & 9 about face as social capital, specifically what face requires and who can be exempt and that capital is spent.

"While Thai society looks still, calm and peaceful, just under the surface is a struggle between egocentric agendas in a zero-sum game for prestige, power, and money" (P.131). In my opinion, this book really is the best way to understand Thai politics, business culture, and social relationships--Larry has spent his life in Thailand and done so much of the heavy lifting for the rest of us.