意義的驚人力量──THE AMAZING POWER OF PURPOSE
For English version, please refer to the latter part of this page
不管出了什麼問題，無論是發燒、胳臂摔斷甚至少了肢體，總覺得看診的開始都一樣。等待一陣子後，你會被引導進入一個空無一人的房間，被要求坐在一張，好像是有全世界最吵的紙墊聲的診療床上。然後你的檢查開始了。無論你有什麼症狀，護士總是檢查相同的基本項目 – 體溫、血壓和脈搏。這幾個小小的測量，也就是你的「生命徵象」，為醫生提供了即時的信息。
四個P。在商業和專業領域中，傳統的「四個P」，與醫生每次檢查時測量的生命徵象相類似。它們是產品(Product)、人員(People)、流程(Process)和利潤(Profit)。正如體溫、血壓和脈搏可以為醫生提供你整體健康狀況一樣，四個 P 也能讓任何優秀的顧問或教練，了解你的企業的整體狀況。無論是推廣行銷的困難，銷售業績下滑還是即將來到的破產，我們知道如果有任何的P不對勁，我們就需要更深入地探究。
在企業診斷的領域，「四個P」是我整個教練生涯中，持續討論和洞察的重點。沒有例外，每次當我和希望成長的領導者或組織合作時，我們就是花時間檢視每個P的優點和持續性。
第五個P：意義的力量。然而，過去幾年，我在對談時做了重要的轉變。我仍然按照傳統的四個P進行工作，但那些現在只成為我們工作的第二部分。我們處理產品和流程等領域的方法，是由第五個 P：意義，所指引甚至某種程度去決定的。意義涉及組織的「為什麼why」。它超越了「什麼what」和「如何how」，它會深入探討更深的層次 – 如果確實存在更深層次的內涵。
意義應該是我們的起點和立足點。另一個思考意義的方式是問：「你們的組織為什麼存在？你們存在的理由是什麼？」你能回答這些問題嗎？你有考慮過嗎？無論你的答案是什麼，它都應當超越產品、服務或利潤。它抓住什麼是激勵以及驅使你工作的本質－並且會使你工作表現得非常出色。
意義，如果理解得當，會是型塑組織的強大力量。它指引你如何開發產品、建立流程和培養人才，它甚至指引你如何思考和使用你得到的利潤。與其他 P 不同的是，意義對於企業表現有潛在的能力。市場狀況可能迫使你改變產品，科技可能會修改你的流程，人口結構的變化可能會決定你的聘僱方式，然而意義不僅能超越這些外力，還能型塑你對它們的反應。
如果你是一個有信仰的基督徒，你可以將它定義為一種「救贖的優勢」，從事奉主開始，然後服事他人。
歌羅西書3章23-24節說到「無論做什麼，都要從心裡做，像是給主做的，不是給人做的，因你們知道從主那裡必得著基業為賞賜；你們所事奉的乃是主基督。」我們的意義應該開始於上帝所賜予我們的恩賜和才能，以榮耀祂的名。
如果我們要有果效地成為「…基督的使者，就好像神藉我們勸你們一般…」(哥林多後書 5章20節) 我們應該努力區別自己和那些不跟隨祂的競爭對手。我們的決定和行動應該在耶穌的命令下進行「你們的光也當這樣照在人前，叫他們看見你們的好行為，便將榮耀歸給你們在天上的父。」(馬太福音5章16節) 除此我們還會有什麼更大的意義呢？
@2023史帝芬. 格里夫氏博士(Dr. Stephen R. Graves)把自己描述為組織戰略家、實用神學家和
社會資本家。他為高級主管、企業主以及年輕企業家提供諮詢服務。同時也是眾多書籍、文章的作者，和一位大眾演說家。他的網站是www.stephenrgraves.com。
挑戰思考
如果你是基督徒，你的信仰對你的工作方式有多大影響？如果你認為無論是在專業還是個人層面，會有需要改進的地方，你可以向誰請教並協助你，制定一份能夠指引你的決定和行動的意義宣言，以榮耀上帝呢？考慮設定一個具體的時間和地點，並進行這樣的討論吧。
備註：如果你有聖經，想閱讀更多相關的內容，請參考下面的經文：
詩篇37篇3-6節
37:3你當倚靠耶和華而行善，住在地上，以他的信實為糧；
37:4又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裡所求的賜給你。
37:5當將你的事交託耶和華，並倚靠他，他就必成全。
37:6他要使你的公義如光發出，使你的公平明如正午。
箴言3章5-6節
3:5你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明，
3:6在你一切所行的事上都要認定他，他必指引你的路。
馬太福音6章19-21節
6:19「不要為自己積儹財寶在地上；地上有蟲子咬，能銹壞，也有賊挖窟窿來偷。
6:20只要積儹財寶在天上；天上沒有蟲子咬，不能銹壞，也沒有賊挖窟窿來偷。
6:21因為你的財寶在那裡，你的心也在那裡。」
哥林多前書10章31節
10:31所以，你們或吃或喝，無論做什麼，都要為榮耀神而行。
歌羅西書3章17節
3:17無論做什麼，或說話或行事，都要奉主耶穌的名，藉著他感謝父神。
反省與問題討論
- 你有沒有想過，無論你去體檢或生病時，醫生總是會檢查你的「生命徵象」- 血壓、體溫和脈搏？如果醫生沒有檢查這些重要的身體指標，你會怎麼想呢？
- 對於作者所描述的「四個P」-產品(Product)、人員(People)、流程(Process)和利潤(Profit)，你和你的企業是否經常考慮這些方面的診斷，以評估組織的表現如何呢？當評量公司整體健康狀況時，如果你發現在這些方面有一個或多個弱點，你覺得對這個公司會有什麼影響呢？
- 你認為組織在定期績效評估中有多頻繁會納入第五個「P」-意義？你會如何定義或描述你公司的意義？你認為這對組織中所有參與者都清楚嗎？請解釋你的答案。
- 對於基督徒，尤其是那些擁有影響力職位的人，有建議指出，整體意義的一個重要部分應是尊榮並榮耀上帝，並以積極的方式為他人服事，為上帝和福音作見證。你同意這個觀點嗎？請解釋你的答案。
THE AMAZING POWER OF PURPOSE
By Stephen R. Graves
It does not matter what is wrong. Whether you have a fever, a broken arm, or a missing limb, a visit to the doctor always seems to start the same way. After waiting, you are guided to an empty room and asked to sit on an examining table with what seems like the world’s loudest tissue paper. Then your exam begins. No matter what your symptoms are, the nurse always checks the same basic things – temperature, blood pressure, and pulse. Those few little measurements, your “vitals,” provide the doctor with an instant snapshot of your overall health.
The Four P’s: In the business and professional world, the traditional “Four P’s” are similar to the vitals the doctor takes every time you go in for a check-up. They are Product, People, Process, and Profit. Just as temperature, blood pressure, and pulse give a physician a picture of your overall health, the Four P’s tell any good consultant or coach the overall health of your business. Whether it is marketing challenges, a sales dip or impending bankruptcy, we know if something is off, we need to explore more deeply.
In the area of organizational health, the Four P’s have served as constant points of discussion and discernment throughout my entire coaching career. Without fail, every time I work with a leader or an organization that is looking to grow, we spend time examining the strength and sustainability of each P.
The Fifth P: The Power of the Purpose: Over the years, however, I have made an important shift in my approach to these conversations. I still work through the traditional four, but those now make up the second part of our work. The way we address areas like product and process is guided and, in some sense determined, by a fifth P: Purpose. Purpose gets to the “why” of an organization. It pushes past the “what” and “how” and gets at something deeper – if in fact there is something deeper.
Purpose should be our starting point and anchor. Another way to think about purpose is to ask, “Why does your organization exist? What is your reason for being?” Can you answer these questions? Have you considered them? Whatever your answer may be, it should be about more than product or service or profit. It should capture the essence of what motivates and drives you to work – and to work well.
Purpose, when rightly conceived, is a powerful force for shaping an organization. It informs how you develop products, build processes, and develop people. It even guides how you think about and use your profits. Unlike the other P’s, purpose has the potential for permanence. Market conditions may force a change to your offering. Technology may alter your processes. Demographic shifts may dictate your approach to labor. Purpose not only outlast these forces, but also shapes your response to them.
If you are a person of faith, a follower of Jesus Christ, you could frame it as a “redemptive edge,” starting with serving the Lord and then serving others. Colossians 3:23-24 says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a result.” Our purpose should begin with utilizing our gifts and abilities for God’s glory.
If we are to be effective as “Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20), we should strive to distinguish ourselves from competitors who are not committed to following Him. Our decisions and actions should be done within the context of Jesus’ command to “let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see our good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). What greater purpose could we have?
© 2023. Dr. Stephen R. Graves describes himself as an organizational strategist, pragmatic theologian, and social capitalist. He advises executives and business owners, as well as young entrepreneurs. He is author of numerous books and many articles, and a public speaker. His website is www.stephenrgraves.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- Have you ever thought about how a physician always checks your “vitals” – your blood pressure, temperature, and pulse – whenever you go for a checkup or have an illness? What would you think if the doctor failed to check those important physical measurements.
- What about what Mr. Graves describes as “the four P’s” – Product, People, Process, and Profit? Are those areas of measurement that you and your business often consider for evaluating how well the organization is performing? What happens if you discover weaknesses in one or more of those areas for assessing a company’s overall health?
- How often do you think organizations include the fifth “P” – Purpose – in their periodic performance evaluations? How would you define or describe your company’s purpose? Do you think that is clear for everyone involved in the organization? Explain your answer.
- For followers of Jesus Christ, especially those in positions of influence, it is suggested that an important part of their overall purpose should be to honor and bring glory to God, and to serve others in ways that serve as a positive witness to the Lord and the Gospel message? Do you agree with this? Why or why not?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:
Psalm 37:3-6; Proverbs 3:5-6; Matthew 6:19-21,33; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:17
Challenge
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, how much does your faith in Him affect your approach to work? If you believe this is an area that needs some work, whether professionally or personally, who could you ask to assist you in developing a statement of purpose that can guide your decisions and actions in ways that honor Him? Consider setting a specific time and place where you can discuss this.
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