你能愛自己的員工嗎？
By:John D. Beckett
職場兩難版本：編輯提醒－這是第一篇每月一次的週一嗎哪`，主要著重在職場上經常會遇到的兩難或困境。在簡略的敘述問題之後，我們會提供職場倫理的討論議題或是小組討論問題。文末也會提供我們的評論以及可以應用的聖經原則。
莎曼莎要開始工作時，想起她研究所老師給她的建議：別跟你的同事太靠近。因為你不知道何時要炒他魷魚，你不會想要把自己的朋友炒魷魚。
在開始工作之後，莎曼莎在一家很大的藥廠裡面高升，她手下負責好幾個員工。當她讀到五十年代一個傳奇的國家足球聯盟Green Bay Packers隊教練Vince Lombardi的故事之後，她對這個教練充滿興趣。
她非常驚訝地發現這個教練教導他的隊員要彼此真心地互相關懷，不僅是喜歡而是相愛。他在1961的年頒獎宴會上說：「如果你們是一個團隊，就必須要彼此關心、彼此相愛，這才是真正的團隊。」
受到這個教練的啟發，莎曼莎必須要做一個決定：是否要像依照研究所教授所的建議跟同事保持距離，或是像Lombardi教練所說的開始付出更多的關心和彼此相愛，用發自內心深處的善意彼此對待？
問題討論
在運動場上和職場上的團隊有什麼不同之處？這些不同的地方會如何影響莎曼莎的決定？ 你會如何愛你的員工？尤其是當遇到重大困難的績效表現時？ 如果主管和同事關係很好，仍然可以在彼此相愛的情況下，將同事解職嗎？面對這樣的兩難你會採取什麼行動？ 在工作的地方，我們想建立什麼樣的人際互動關係？這樣的人際關係會如何影響到我們和主管、我們和下屬之間的關係？最好的練習
因為神給我們的奇異恩典和愛，我們需要把這樣的愛傳出去，包括傳給我們的同事。但這不是要我們盲目地濫用同情心，或是削弱我們身為主管的權炳。
創意和積極主動的工作態度，可以幫助我們將正面的團隊文化推廣出去。在這樣的團隊裡面，個人受到尊重、感覺真正被愛和被看重，然而紀律和負責仍是最基本需要維持的價值觀。
更進一步思考
聖經當中有一個一貫的主題－就是無條件、犧牲的愛。耶穌基督向他的門徒說: 「我賜給你們一條新命令，乃是叫你們彼此相愛；我怎樣愛你們，你們也要怎樣相愛。」(約翰福音13章34節)
在職場上，我們傾向尊敬那些成功人士，向學習他們如何運作自己的公司以及如何和人相處。他們的看法通常也有幫助，但是只要是屬人的智慧，在聖經的原則之下就必須要重新被檢視。「耶和華說：我的意念非同你們的意念； 我的道路非同你們的道路。」 (以賽亞書 55章8節)
像莎曼莎的教授一樣，有人相信職場上沒有友誼、和同事之間的關係會影響我們的判斷。這樣的想法，也許需要加以思考。如果我們牢記一件事－自己所做的決定是為公司和個人最大的益處著想，我們的愛心就會是明智和有判斷力的。「你們又忘了那勸你們如同勸兒子的話，說： 我兒，你不可輕看主的管教， 被他責備的時候也不可灰心；因為主所愛的，他必管教， 又鞭打凡所收納的兒子。 」(希伯來書12章5-6節).
CAN YOU LOVE YOUR EMPLOYEES?
By John D. Beckett
Samantha thought the advice of her graduate school professor was a little unusual – words offered as she was about to launch her business career: “Don”t get too close to your co-workers,” he said. “You never know when you”re going to have to fire someone, and you don”t want to fire your close friends.”
Soon after starting her career, Samantha began moving up the ranks at Agile, a large pharmaceutical firm, and had several associates reporting to her. While reading a book on leadership, she was drawn to the story of Vince Lombardi, the legendary football coach of the National Football League”s Green Bay Packers in the late 1950″s.
She was surprised to discover that Lombardi coached members of his team to have genuine caring for each other: “We don”t like one another, we love each other,” he said at an awards banquet in 1961. “If you play together as a team, you”ve got to care for one another, you”ve got to love each other, then you know you”ve got a team.”
Prompted by Lombardi”s example, Samantha had to make a decision. Would she keep co-workers at a safe distance, following the advice of her college professor, or would she begin extending care and compassion – love – the kind she knew she felt deep in her heart toward others?
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
Is there a difference between a business and a sports team as it relates to Samantha”s dilemma? If so, what is this difference – and how should it affect her decision? How can you love employees, and yet deal with significant, even difficult performance issues when they arise? If a manager gets close to fellow workers, and later has to release them, can he or she do so within the context of love? If so, how do you think this could be done? What human interaction guidelines should we establish within our organizations? What effect could these have on the relationships we form with the people we report to, our coworkers, and those who report to us?© 2015. John D. Beckett is chairman of R. W. Beckett Corporation in Elyria, Ohio, U.S.A., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial heating systems.
BEST PRACTICES
Considering God”s amazing love for each of us, we have every reason to extend love to others, including coworkers. This does not mean blind sentimentality, nor does it require that we would be too weak to exert proper authority and provide clear direction when needed.
By working creatively and proactively, we can promote positive organizational cultures in which individuals are profoundly respected, letting them feel genuinely loved and valued, but whenever necessary, discipline and accountability are also utilized and maintained.
FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION
One of the unifying themes of the Bible is that of unconditional, sacrificial love. Jesus emphasized this with His followers. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another” (John 13:34).
We tend to look to business experts – “gurus” – for principles in operating our organizations and dealing with people. Their insights are usually very helpful, but sometimes human “wisdom” needs to be discounted in favor of applying principles from the Bible. “”For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8).
There are those who believe, as the college professor stated, we should not get too close to those with whom we work, fearing strong relationships could compromise our judgment. This can be a problem, but if we keep in mind our decisions are being made in the best interests of everyone, not only the company but also the individuals, love for others does not mean having to sacrifice good judgment. “My son, do not make light of the Lord”s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son” (Hebrews 12:5-6).
