SAVING FACE: NOBODY WANTS TO BE EMBARRASSED.
As a pastor, leader, parent, teacher, or manager, one of the most important skills we can learn is the art of saving people's face.
Nobody wants to be embarrassed.
Every human being has an ego, a sense of dignity, and a desire to be respected.
Sometimes we may not say it openly, but deep inside, we all value how others perceive us.
Therefore, correct people without destroying them.
When someone makes a mistake, you don't have to announce it before everyone.
When a child fails, you don't have to humiliate them.
When an employee makes an error, you don't have to ridicule them before colleagues.
When a church member falls short, you don't have to make them feel worthless.
There is a difference between correcting a person and disgracing a person.
Great leaders know how to confront issues while preserving relationships.
They know when to speak publicly and when to speak privately.
They understand that today's mistake does not have to become someone's permanent identity.
Sometimes, the best correction is given quietly.
Sometimes, the most powerful leadership statement is simply:
"I understand. Let us work on this together."
Jesus taught us to treat others with the same dignity and consideration that we desire for ourselves:
"And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
— Luke 6:31 (KJV)
Let us therefore learn to save faces, restore dignity, protect relationships, and correct with love.
You can win an argument and lose a person.
You can prove someone wrong and still fail as a leader.
But when you correct someone while preserving their dignity, you may not only solve the problem—you may win their heart.
People may forget what they did wrong, but they will rarely forget how you made them feel when they were wrong.
Be firm, but be kind.
Be gracious.
Correct, but don't crush.
Lead, but don't humiliate.
Learn the art of saving people's faces.
Boniface Amani Gichina (CPM)
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