為員工創造理想的環境

評估實體的工作環境是重要的。但還有另一種形態的「環境」也值得注意：員工能完成發揮才幹、天份、經驗和熱情的地方。

當我擔任一家地區報社的出版編輯時，我們有一位員工就像諺語所說的，圓釘子想要塞入方形的洞裡。我姑且叫她「瑪莉」。我們編輯部很小，所以我們讓她去試做各種職務。剛開始，我派她去採訪學校董事會和地區委員會議。瑪莉很熱切，也努力工作，但那些工作似乎都不「適合」她。

最後，在我必須解聘一位攝影師後，我問瑪莉是否願意試試這份工作。那工作是要在市政會議和運動場合中拍照，也要為房地產廣告的房屋照相。瑪莉就像1,000瓦的燈泡那麼亮。她找到她的位置，她可以用熱情去做的職務。

過去我一直不知道要怎麼處理她的狀況，感謝主，我們終於發現她適合的位置， 那個角色能讓她像花一樣綻放。她變成一個快樂、有成就感的員工。那需要時間，但我們發現了她所屬的位置。透過她為我們做的工作去幫助她找到喜樂，對我也是很值得的。

領袖的最重要責任之一是幫員工找到他們的「環境」，也就是他們可以發揮興趣和專長，發光發熱的領域。美國軍中有一個古老的口號：「成為完全發揮潛力的你！」聖經也證實這項領導功能的重要性：

我們每個人都是被獨特設計，且有獨特的恩賜。沒有兩個人是完全一樣的，不只在身體上，在能力、興趣和熱情上也不會相同。「我要稱謝你，因我受造，奇妙可畏；你的作為奇妙，這是我心深知道的」（詩篇139篇14節）。

我們都要去實現一個特定的目的。聖經告訴我們，上帝對我們每一個人都有一個特別的目的。身為領袖，我們可以幫助跟隨者尋找那目的，並幫助他們實現那目的。「我未將你造在腹中，我已曉得你；你未出母胎，我已分別你為聖」（耶利米書1章5節）。

最佳領袖和經理會讓他的人發揮出最大的才能。耶穌說過「才幹的比喻」，在比喻中商人測試他僕人們管理他財務的能力。同樣的，領袖們不僅要負責管理資產，也要妥善運用他所管理的人力資源。「…好，你這又良善又忠心的僕人，你在不多的事上有忠心，我要把許多事派你管理…」（馬太福音25章14-30節）。

好領袖把妥善照顧他的員工列為第一優先的事。若員工沒有成功興盛，我們必需問為什麼。我們可能沒有把他們放在適當的位置。「你要詳細知道你羊群的景況，留心料理你的牛群」（箴言27章23節）。

勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的通訊部副部長，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 。

Evaluating the physical working environment has been important. But another type of “environment” also deserves attention: The place where employees can maximize talents, gifts, experience and passions.

While I was editor-publisher of a suburban newspaper, we had a staff member that was like the proverbial round peg attempting to fit into a square hole. I will call her “Mary.” Our editorial staff was small, so we tried her in a variety of roles. Initially I assigned her to cover school board and local commission meetings. Then we had her write about social functions and women”s events. She took a turn at sports reporting. Mary was eager and a hard worker, but none of these seemed a good “fit.”

Finally, after I had to terminate the full-time photographer, I asked Mary if she would like to give that job a try. It involved everything from taking photos at civic meetingsand sporting events to pictures of houses for real estate ads. Mary lit up like a 1,000-watt bulb. She found her niche, work she did with passion.

Thankfully, I had stuck with Mary until we had found her place – a role that enabled her to flourish. She became a happy, fulfilled employee. It took time, but we had discovered where she belonged on our staff. And it was rewarding for me to help her find joy through the work she performed for us.

One of a leader”s most important responsibilities is to empower employees to find their “environment,” that area of interest and expertise where they can flourish. The old U.S. Army motto states, “Be all that you can be!” The Bible also affirms the importance of this leadership function:

Each of us is uniquely designed and gifted. No two individuals are exactly alike, not only physically, but also in terms of abilities, interests and passion. “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

We all have a specific purpose to fulfill. The Bible tells us God has determined a specific purpose for each of us, and as leaders we can help in seeking out that purpose and enabling them to fulfill it. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart” (Jeremiah 1:5).

The best leaders and managers get the most – and best – out of their people. Jesus told the “parable of the talents,” in which businessman tested his servants on their capacity to manage his interests. In a similar way, leaders are responsible not only for property, but also for proper utilization of the human resources under their stewardship. “…”Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things…” (Matthew 25:14-30).

Good leaders make the proper care of their employees a top priority. If employees are not thriving, we need to ask why. We might be expecting them to be square pegs trying to fit into round holes. “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds” (Proverbs 27:23).

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 is the author of 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.