In December 2011, the Hangzhou newspaper Daily Business ran a feature titled “How Do You Criticize Your Superior?” One employee, Zhu Jun, told his department head at a full staff meeting that a decision was wrong. This time the head rebutted him without sparing his feelings and kept the plan. Afterwards, Zhu found that the head rarely asked his opinion.
Another employee, Li Fang, also criticized a superior in front of others. The superior looked displeased and embarrassed, but accepted the point and corrected the decision at once. Later the superior spoke with Li: “Thank you very much for the suggestion. But from now on, in private, it is fine to be direct. When many people are present, give me a little face.”