鼓勵員工成長
By Robert J. Tamasy
麥克斯．迪皮瑞(Max De Pree)是一個美國的商人和作家，他寫過幾本令人深思的書，描寫他在職場的經驗以及觀察。我在他書中發現一個很有趣的觀點，他說：「領袖欠人們一個自由的空間。一個能讓人們發揮天賦自由的空間。我們需要給彼此成長以及做自己的空間。」
這樣的觀點對我來說相當有意義。因為在將近十六年前，當我和一個朋友決定一起工作時，他就是保持這樣的態度。戴夫和我因為CBMC相識，也一同在團隊裡服事。他創立自己的非營利機構：領袖資產(Leaders Legacy)時，我覺得自己該做一些新事，所以我找了戴夫詢求他的意見。
我們談了好一會之後，非常明顯地，我們若能一同在「領袖資產」工作，對彼此都是非常有益處的。我永遠不會忘記那天下午戴夫對我說：「包柏，如果你需要一個地方讓你能成長，成為神希望你成為的樣式，這裡永遠有你的位置。」
當時，我已經是一個經驗豐富的作家和編輯了。然而，那一個邀請卻打開了一個我從沒探索過的領域。事實也證明，超過十五年來我在領袖資產的工作，給了我許多新的機會，讓我能在自我和專業上成長茁壯。
理由很簡單，如同麥克斯．迪皮瑞所說的，這是一個能讓我的天賦和經驗自由成長的地方。就像是騎師鬆開一匹賽馬的韁繩，允許牠全力奔跑一樣。
對之前的老闆，我沒有任何怨言，但我也不會再回到過去。很多時候，員工有很多尚未開發的能力，甚至是不認識或明白自己。這時就需要一個領袖、一個管理者或是上司告訴他們：「我在你身上看到尚未開發的潛力，可能你自己也不知道。我希望能幫助你發揮潛能。」你能想像，一個員工聽到這樣的話會有多麼釋放嗎？
從聖經的角度來看，這就是馬可福音12章31節所說的「愛人如己」。其次就是說：『要愛人如己。』再沒有比這兩條誡命更大的了。」另一處經節，也用另外一種方式提到這個重要的領袖特質。箴言27章23-27節也告誡有權柄的人有帶領下屬方向的責任。要有分辨能力，對周遭的人的需要要敏銳。「你要詳細知道你羊群的景況，留心料理你的牛群；因為資財不能永有，冠冕豈能存到萬代？乾草割去，嫩草發現，山上的菜蔬也被收斂。羊羔之毛是為你作衣服；山羊是為作田地的價值，並有母山羊奶夠你吃，也夠你的家眷吃，且夠養你的婢女。」
把員工的利益擺在第一位，通常也是把我們的利益擺在第一位。
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）
省思與問題討論
討論一下自己的工作職場的文化，是否鼓勵員工自我成長，運用自己的天賦才幹和能力？ 你認為給員工自由發展他們內在的能力，對提升工作的成就感是很重要的嗎？請分享你的理由。 要給員工自由發展的空間，對一般的公司來說，會面臨哪些挑戰？ 箴言27章23-27節提到照顧員工，要如同照顧羊群。你認為這樣的比喻是恰當的嗎？請分享你的答案。
備註: 如果你手上有聖經，希望閱讀更多關於這個主題的經文，請參考：詩篇139篇13-14節；以弗所書2章10節；歌羅西書3章17、23節；提摩太後書3章16-17節
EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES TO THRIVE
By Robert J. Tamasy
Max De Pree, an American businessman and writer, has written several thought-provoking books drawing from his experiences and observations in the workplace. One statement I have found especially interesting is: “Leaders owe people space, space in the sense of freedom. Freedom in the sense of enabling our gifts to be exercised. We need to give each other space to grow, to be ourselves.”
This insight seems particularly meaningful for me because nearly 16 years ago, a friend took that attitude when we decided to work together. Dave and I had known each other through our involvement with CBMC, including working together on the staff team. Not long after he started his own non-profit, Leaders Legacy, I was sensing it was time to do something new, so I met with Dave to solicit his advice.
After we talked for a while, it seemed obvious that working together in Leaders Legacy could prove to be mutually beneficial. I will never forget what Dave said to me that afternoon: “Bob, if you ever need a place where you can flourish and become all God wants you to be, we have a place for you.”
Up to that point I had experienced a fruitful career, enjoying many rewarding experiences as both a writer and editor. This invitation, however, promised to open doors I had yet to explore. And, as it turned out, my time with Leaders Legacy over the next 15 years provided many new opportunities that, I believe, did enable me to flourish professionally.
The key was simple. I was afforded, as De Pree wrote, the freedom to exercise my gifts, talents and experience more than ever before. In a sense, I felt like a thoroughbred racehorse when the jockey loosens the reins and gives it permission to run full out.
I had no complaints about my previous employers; nor do I wish to pat myself on the back in any way. It is just that in many situations, workers have unrealized capabilities – sometimes ones they fail to recognize themselves. Often it requires someone – the CEO, top management, even the supervisor, to say something like, “I see a lot of potential in you. But it is untapped. Maybe you do not even see it in yourself. I want to help you to become all that you can be.” Can you imagine how liberating it would be for a valued employee to hear that?
From the perspective of the Bible, taking this kind of approach would be part of “loving your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31), and “(doing) to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31). Another passage, however, addresses this important leadership trait in a different way. Proverbs 27:23-27 admonishes everyone in authority, those having responsibility for those entrusted to our direction. It talks about being discerning, striving to be sensitive to the needs of those around us:
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field….”
Put the best interests of those working for us first – in most cases, it is also in our best interests.
© 2017. Robert J. Tamasy has written Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring, and edited numerous other books, including Advancing Through Adversity by Mike Landry. Bob”s website is www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com, and his biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Describe the working culture like where you work. Are staff members encouraged to grow and thrive in utilizing their talents, gifts and strengths? Do you think giving workers freedom to explore and develop their innate abilities is important for job satisfaction? Why or why not? What would be some of the challenges for companies in providing “space” for their employees, giving them the freedom to develop as De Pree described? The passage included mentioned flocks of sheep, using a shepherding analogy for dealing with people. Do you think this comparison is appropriate to the workplace? Explain your answer.
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about principles it presents, consider the following passages: Psalm 139:13-14; Ephesians 2:10; Colossians 3:17,23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
