14 How “Face” Can Help You Manage Up
Maya Hu-Chan
Maya Hu-Chan is a globally recognized keynote speaker, Executive Coach, and best-selling author. She is the founder and president of Global Leadership Associates, a global management consultancy. Maya is the author of Saving Face: How to Preserve Dignity and Build Trust and a columnist for INC.com.
Emma, a senior manager in the quality assurance and security area of a pharmaceutical company, was finding it difficult to work with her new boss, Marsha. Their communication styles clashed. Emma described Marsha as long-winded, meandering, and unclear, while Emma described herself as succinct, direct, and to the point.
“I can never understand what she wants,” she said.
Emma complained that Marsha seemed to be desperate to assert her authority. This was especially frustrating for Emma, as she is a technical expert. She has been at the company for 10 years, while Marsha is brand new, and her background is not in quality assurance and security.
“She just wants people to know she’s the boss,” Emma said. “But she doesn’t know the ins and outs, and she makes demands that don’t make sense.”
Emma enjoyed a different relationship with her previous boss. Their relationship was collaborative and centered on trust. She was hands-off, trusting Emma to work independently. Their communication styles were in sync.
When I started working with Emma, Marsha had been her new boss for just a month, but she was already at her breaking point. “I don’t ...
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