The Way Thais Lead: Face as Social Capital

by Larry S. Persons

This fascinating study explores how face functions as social capital for leaders in Thai society. It examines the anatomy of Thai face, ways to gain, lose, and maintain face, patron-client dynamics, and the sources and paradigms of power. Ethnographic research gives voice to Thai leaders as they describe face behaviors and the flow of power in their society. The author compellingly reveals an indigenous but little-used pathway to virtuous leadership that empowers both leaders and followers, to the benefit of all.

Written with academic rigor in a popular style, the book presents insights that are crucial to understanding and building strategic relationships in Thai society.

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Cultural, Anthropology

256 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2016

Reviews

[Jimmy J. Crantz · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, I'm a sociology student, currently taking one year off to study Thai in Thailand. Because of this maybe unusual combination, I was thrilled to find this book in the Chulalongkorn bookstore: a book that can blend both the area sociology and the area of Thai culture/language. I sort of expected an interesting use of Bourdieu's theory, maybe similar to how he himself studied different fields, but adding a cultural perspective. Here is where I got a bit disappointed.

I do think this book gives interesting perspectives of Thai culture, and with the expressions and word discussions it's also interesting for a Thai language student. I believe any westerner who has been to Thai weddings, funerals, monk ceremonies or similar events will recognize how face is an important part of these events. It is also interesting to start thinking of Thai perspective on indebtedness, and how (some) people move between areas of influence and power. This book has definitely helped me put words on impressions and feelings from being in Thailand.

What I do feel this book lacks is connection to actual events in society. There is no analysis of any actual leader in the whole book. The author refers to the ethnological research that he has done in preparation for this book - but I feel like that material is used sparingly, maybe more as a support for his own theories rather than as theories growing out from the ethnographical material. To me, there is a feeling of me as a reader being expected to take everything at face value, with the encouragement that I will see the truth of this if I just look around in society. This leaves me with the feeling that maybe the book just oversimplifies culture and society, and therefore lacks value to use as a model for understanding leadership.

If you want some new perspectives on Thai society and language, this book is really good. But, this book leaves you on your own in the actual analysis of events in Thai society.

[Edwin Pietersma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book about a topic which has received too little attention to mainstream scholarship. It is clear that this is an adaptation of his PhD-thesis, as it retains the level of difficulty which is unexpected from such a book. The examples are interesting, but often feel made up. No actual political leader or someone regarded as high up the social rank are analyzed, making it often hard to imagine or properly relate to actual context. The author tries to adhere to the reader by incentivizing him or her to think of his or her own example, but that does not really help for the discourse of the work. The many idioms and phrases are fascinating and strong examples of his argument, but the book could gain much from clarifying its structure. I have been reading about the concepts of barami in other works, where it is very much interpreted as having a religious origin. Persons relates it to Buddhism at the end, but find this almost too late, almost as an afterthought. The origin of the main concepts could, therefore, use more explanation, thought, and research.

[Jacqueline Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled to find what in many of the explanations was different to other societies. I liked the explanations of the Thai phases.

[John R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Larry Persons’ volume is an invaluable introduction to Thai interpersonal and professional communication. This work is the byproduct of his painstaking research that the author has synthesized as an adult third culture kid who is now a working professional in the area of communication. The reader is introduced to various aspects of an honor culture concerned with gaining and saving face, what that means, and how it affects an outsider’s interactions. It is a must-read for anyone who wishes to positively engage with depth in a Thai-Western relationship or for those who are expats living in Thailand. An added bonus is the rich guide to Thai proverbs and phrases that characterize saving face and values.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Applicable not just for Thailand but Asia

Excellent book, easy to read - recommended for new and established leaders in Asia. Read cover to cover, the final chapters pull it together very well

[N S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for Non-Thais to understand the power dynamics in Thailand. Even greater for Thai readers in re-affirming their understanding of Thai society. Just because we live with it everyday doesn't mean we can verbalise it.

[Justin Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book to help understand influence in Thai culture!

Clear and well-crafted with an abundance of examples from Thai culture to help those of us working here understand leadership in the Thai context.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

very interesting, but some of it is hard to read, just the way of thinking described.

[Scott Hayden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Larry Persons has a unique combination of perspectives. Though an American, his childhood was immersed in Thai culture, led by the hand of his nanny. He is fluent in Thai language. And now he adds to these, scholarship. But the book is very readable.

Get ready for an anatomy lesson. Face-eyes (หน้าตา), honor (เกียรติ), fame (ชื่อเสียง), accumulated goodness (บารมี), and endogenous worth (ศักดิ์ศรี) are the flesh and bones of Thai "face". And in some spheres of Thai society, face is everything. Larry Persons takes a fair look at each element and how they play out in social interchanges. He acknowledges the abuse of these things, but brings to light the potential good that can be gained if we understand them and use them appropriately.