沒有獨行俠的工作
By: Robert J. Tamasy
我們有時聽到人們把人生形容成馬拉松，而不是短跑，其實是有它的道理的。因為很多人短跑時可能表現很好，但是長跑就不行了。甚至有些跑得很慢的人短跑時可能還跑得挺快的。人生不是短跑用分鐘或是小時來計算的，人生是日復一日，年復一年的。一開始跑的很好不代表結果也是如此。
把人生比喻成馬拉松，也不盡然相同。因為在馬拉松比賽裡面，參加的人是一個人跑完全程。途中也許會有加油的人或是義工提供飲料或水，但是大部分時間，跑者是單獨一人用他的耐力往終點線前進的。
然而，在現實的生活中，沒有人是完全靠自己成功的，特別是那些最成功的人。例如知名企業的執行長、有成就的醫生 、著名的投資者、出色的運動家、有夢想的演員等等，他們都需要別人的幫助才能成功。
幾年前，美國有一部受歡迎的電視劇叫做「獨行俠」。內容講述一個十字軍獨自對抗邪惡，判定對錯，並且把壞人繩之以法。他的確有一個忠實的夥伴叫做坦圖，但是他經常是獨自到一個城鎮抓住壞人、制服他們，然後又突然之間離開了，留下居民們議論紛紛說:「那個戴面具的人是誰?」
歷史告訴我們，在商場或職場裡當一個獨行俠想要成功是不大可能的，失敗或是悲劇收場的可能性很高。我們都需要可靠的行政的支持和鼓勵，有經驗的人給我們幫助，讓我們可以達到我們的目標。聖經也如此說:
人多力量大，成功來自團隊合作。「兩個人總比一個人好，因為二人勞碌同得美好的果效。若是跌倒，這人可以扶起他的同伴；若是孤身跌倒，沒有別人扶起他來，這人就有禍了。再者，二人同睡就都暖和，一人獨睡怎能暖和呢？有人攻勝孤身一人，若有二人便能敵擋他；三股合成的繩子不容易折斷 。」(傳道書4章9-12節)。「又要彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善。你們不可停止聚會，好像那些停止慣了的人，倒要彼此勸勉，既知道（原文是看見）那日子臨近，就更當如此」(希伯來書10章24-25節)。
磨亮刀身、對準焦點。就像兩把刀子的刃互相摩擦，可以使刀鋒變利。人也是如此，當人們一起合作時，就會磨擦出創意的火花。「鐵磨鐵，磨出刃來；朋友相感（原文是磨朋友的臉）也是如此」。(箴言27章17節)
多元的能力。我們各有不同的能力和天賦，當彼此互相激盪和合作時，我們可以完成一個人完成不了的事。「恩賜原有分別，聖靈卻是一位。職事也有分別，主卻是一位。功用也有分別， 神卻是一位，在眾人裏面運行一切的事」。(哥林多前書12章4-6節)。
勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的傳播部副部長，這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利組織。他也是一個有40年經驗的退休新聞工作者。他寫過一本書「最佳狀態的商業：箴言給今日職場的歷久彌新智慧」（Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace）。他也與David A. Stoddard合著一本書「導師之心」（The Heart of Mentoring）。要了解更多資訊, 可上網www.leaderslegacy.com 或上他的部落格www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com以及www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com
回應與問題討論
當你聽到有人形容人生是馬拉松，而不是短跑，你覺得如何? 在你的職場上，你覺得是否有人(也許是你自己)比較像是獨行俠?或是團隊合作的人?你覺得這樣的工作模式會影響你的工作表現嗎? 當你和別人一同工作時，特別是在一個團隊裡時，你可以想到做的更好的方式嗎?解釋你的答案。 你可以舉一個親身經歷的例子，說明團隊合作比孤軍奮戰結果來的好嗎?聖經裡說：「兩人總比一人好」、「鐵磨鐵，磨出刃來；朋友相感（原文是磨朋友的臉）也是如此」是否曾發生在你的職場上?請解釋你的答案。備註:如果你手上有聖經，想知道更多有這個主題的經節，請參考：馬可福音6章7節、路加福音10章1節、哥林多前書12章12-26節、腓立比書4章9節、希伯來書3章12-15節
NO JOB FOR “THE LONE RANGER
By Robert J. Tamasy
We sometimes hear people make this statement: “Life is a marathon, not a sprint.” And there”s much truth to that. Many people can look good for a short distance. In fact, in a sprint even a slower person might take the lead for a step or two. But a successful life is not measured in minutes or hours, days or even weeks, but in years. A good start does not guarantee a good finish.
However, comparing life to a marathon falls short in one respect. In a marathon, runners compete alone. There might be people along the course to cheer and encourage, and perhaps volunteers offering water or other refreshment. But for the most part, marathon runners engage in a solitary pursuit – perseverance, pushing through pain for the joy of reaching the finish line…alone.
In real life, however, no one reaches goals or achieves success on their own. Especially the most successful people. Celebrated executives, accomplished physicians, notable inventors, the most famous athletes and entertainers might have had visions and dreams, and worked hard to refine their skills and talents, but they all needed help along the way.
Years ago, one of the most popular American TV shows was “The Lone Ranger.” It featured a lone crusader against crime, determined to right what was wrong and bring bad people to justice. He did have a faithful companion named Tonto, but the Lone Ranger would suddenly ride into a town, take on the criminals and overcome them, and just as suddenly depart without even saying good-bye. The town”s citizens would look at each other and ask, “Who was that masked man?”
History teaches that trying to succeed as a “lone ranger” in the business and professional world is a recipe for failure, even disaster. We all need accountability, administrative support, encouragement, help from people with experience and expertise different from ours to reach our objectives. The Bible speaks much about this. For example:
Strength in numbers. Teamwork and mutual support are hallmarks for success in any endeavor. “Two are better than on, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!… A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Sharpening of focus. Just as the edges of two knives can be sharpened by being rubbed together, people can sharpen one another as they also “rub against each other” as they work together, often resulting in creative and constructive friction. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
Diversity in capabilities. We each have unique abilities and talents, and by merging them and working together, we can accomplish far more than we ever could working alone. “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men” (1 Corinthians 12:4).
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran journalist, he has written Tufting Legacies (iUniverse); Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace (River City Press); and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring (NavPress). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or his blogs, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com and www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
What comes to your mind when you hear the statement, “Life is a marathon, not a sprint”? At your workplace, can you think of someone – perhaps even yourself – that functions as more of a “lone ranger” or a marathon runner than as a team player? How does that kind of approach to work affect his or her performance – and those of the people around them? How effective are you in working with other people, particularly as part of a team? Can you think of ways you could become a better team player? Explain your answer. Think of an example you experienced or observed when individuals collaborating together definitely brought about a better outcome than if assignments on the project had been carried out independently? How might the principles of “two are better than one” and “one person sharpening another” have been demonstrated in the situation you have in mind?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Mark 6:7; Luke 10:1; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Philippians 4:9; Hebrews 3:12-15
