成就別人，造就自己
By:Rick Boxx
當我在研究「僕人領導」的時候，看到一個名為J. Carla Northcutt的教授寫到：「許多領袖以激發人們突破自我限制為目標」。一個偉大的領袖能幫助人們對自己有更大的期待，大過他們原本看自己的樣子。
然而在今天的工商界，「僕人領導」似乎被解讀為：「我是領導，你是僕人，現在就去做我要你做的」。J. Carla Northcutt教授卻指出，一個有影響力的領袖不是他自己多有成就，而是他能影響多少人有成就。
要幫助別人有成就，自己需要有非常穩妥的安全感。一個真正的僕人領袖會在他個人和專業的生涯裡，找機會去關心別人並且鼓勵這些人在個人和職場上有更高的成就。
有許多領袖，因為自己的不安全感，害怕別人會取代他的位置，所以永遠都在注意別人如何能增加自己的成就。有一次我就聽到一個領袖對他的團隊說:「你們的工作就是使我看起來更好。」如此自私的想法真能提高人們的工作成效嗎?幫助成就別人不能成就自己嗎?
聖經中在許多地方提到「成就他人就是造就自己」這樣的概念。著名的初代教會的領袖使徒保羅深知這個道理。在哥林多前書10章24節，他告訴他的門徒說:「無論何人，不要求自己的益處，乃要求別人的益處。」這個信念聽起來有點過於理想化，在這個現實只講求自己益處的商場真能實行嗎?
但聖經卻認為它是不僅僅是一個高貴的理想而已，它真的應該成為領袖們的主要目標。例如，在新約聖經中其他地方，使徒保羅也寫到『凡事不可結黨，不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀；只要存心謙卑，各人看別人比自己強。各人不要單顧自己的事，也要顧別人的事。』(腓立比書2章3-4節)
另一個使徒彼得，耶穌的十二門徒之一，也回應這樣的信念:「所以，你們要自卑，服在 神大能的手下，到了時候，他必叫你們升高。」(彼得前書5章6節) 換句話說，如果你想要成為一個偉大的領袖，那你就要找到能幫助你所帶領的人的方法。
歷史上最偉大的領袖－耶穌，不但用僕人領袖的精神來表達自己的信念，更用最深遠的方式來實踐它。「因為人子來，並不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，並且要捨命作多人的贖價。」(馬可福音10章45節)
如果這個信念對耶穌非常重要，對我們來說也是一樣重要。
版權所有2011,純全資料中心。本文摘錄自「與Rick Boxx的純全時刻」，這是一本從基督徒角度看職場議題的評論集。想知道更多關於純全資料中心的資訊，請上網訂閱Rick Boxx的每日純全時刻。www.integrityresource.org.
思想 / 討論題目
你對「僕人領導」的定義是甚麼? 在你工作的職場上，你經常看到「僕人領導」的例子嗎?你的同儕或是同事認為你是僕人領袖嗎? 你認為「僕人領袖」是一個很難實現的原則嗎? 從今天「週一嗎哪」的經文來看，積極養成服事別人、不僅求自己益處也求他人益處的 習慣會有甚麼壞處嗎?註:如果你手上有聖經，想要研讀跟這個主題相關的經文，請參考以下的經文:
詩篇2篇11章；路加福音22章24-27節；約翰福音12章26節；以弗所書6章5-9節；彼得前書2章13-21節
BECOMING GREAT – BY HELPING OTHERS BECOME GREAT
By Rick Boxx
While doing research on "Servant Leadership," I came across a quote credited to a seminary professor named J. Carla Northcutt. She stated, "The goal of many leaders is to get people to think more highly of the leader. The goal of a great leader is to help people to think more highly of themselves." Think about that for a while.
Sometimes it seems that if the term “servant leader” is considered at all in many of today”s business and professional settings, it basically is understood this way: “I”m the leader – you are the servant. Now do what I tell you to do.” However, as Dr. Northcutt pointed out, the mark of a truly effective leader is not what he or she accomplishes on their own, but what they prepare and empower others to do.
It takes a strong individual to feel secure enough personally to help others advance their careers. A true servant leader constantly looks for opportunities to care for others and encourage them, assisting their people in their personal and professional journeys.
Many leaders, uncertain of their positions or fearful that someone is eagerly working to take their jobs away from them, focus on what others can do to enhance their own image. “Your job is to make me look good,” I once heard a leader inform his team. But is such self-centered thinking conducive to maximizing everyone”s performance? Is it possible to become great by helping others become great as well?
The Bible talks this concept in numerous contexts. The apostle Paul, one of the foremost leaders of the early Church, understood this principle. In 1 Corinthians 10:24 he advised his followers, "Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others." This sounds like a nice ideal to aspire to, but is it realistic in today”s “what have you done for me lately” global marketplace?
Even though it was written more than 2,000 years ago, the Bible would argue this is more than a noble ideal. It should truly be one of a leader”s primary goals. For instance, elsewhere in the New Testament, Paul the apostle wrote, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better (or more important) than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
Another apostle, Peter, one of Jesus” first followers, echoed those convictions when he offered this admonition: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God”s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). In other words, if you desire to become a great leader, look for ways you can serve and exalt those around you. In the process, your own standing will rise through the accomplishments of those you are leading.
The greatest leader of all, Jesus Christ, not only expressed his belief in servant leadership but also demonstrated it in the most profound manner: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
If that principle was so important for Jesus, it should be equally important for each of us.
Copyright 2011, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more about Integrity Resource Center or to sign up for Rick”s daily Integrity Moments, visit www.integrityresource.org. His book, How to Prosper in Business Without Sacrificing Integrity, gives a biblical approach for doing business with integrity.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
What would be your own definition of “servant leadership”? Do you often see examples of servant leadership being presented in your workplace? Would any of your peers or colleagues regard you as a servant leader? Explain your answer. Why do you think servant leadership can be such a difficult principle to put into practice? What possible drawbacks could result if you were to actively cultivate a habit of serving others, of “seeking the good of others” or of looking “not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others,” as two of the Bible passages cited in this Monday Manna advise?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:
Psalm 2:11; Luke 22:24-27; John 12:26; Ephesians 6:5-9; 1 Peter 2:13-21
