你希望走得快還是走得遠？

很簡單的一句話但是卻表現出智慧和真實。當我讀到的時候，一下就聯想到奧運。在春季奧運裡，賽跑個人項目裡面跑者是獨自往終點線跑去，但是在接力賽或是馬拉松裡面，是大家一起跑，在路上彼此幫助完成比賽。要完成這種長程的競賽，一起跑是更聰明的選擇。

以前我在當編輯的時候，我經常一個人寫文章。但是當要出版的時候，就必須團隊合作，結果總是出奇的好。團隊合作總比各自努力好。

在工商界裡，我們經常會聽到充滿抱負的老闆淘淘不絕的談論著雄心壯志。短時間，因他們個人的努力生意可能做的還不錯，然而無論是在科技產業或是製造業，要實現夢想或是創新需要有其他人共同完成。

幾年前歌手法蘭克‧辛那屈錄製了一首很紅的歌，副歌唱著我用自己的方式做。但即使是法蘭克‧辛那屈也需要許多人來幫他錄製唱片:音樂家、作曲家、合聲、後製人員、唱片出版商和其他人，才能成就他六十年的歌唱生涯。

我們有時候會聽到執行長談到「登成功的階梯」。關於成功的階梯有兩件奇怪的特質: 第一、當你往上爬的時候，有些人會發現到你走的路別人也曾經走過。第二、如果梯子很高，你需要其他人扶著梯子，才不會掉下來，所以你不能一個人獨自爬梯子。

聖經告訴我們許多例子，大家一起走走得遠的例子，例如摩西和約書亞、以利亞和以利沙、耶穌和他的門徒、巴拿巴和保羅，以及保羅和提摩太。也有許多急著自己走的例子: 大衛和他的兒子所羅門等等。以下是從聖經來的中肯建議:

第一、團隊合作能使彼此更加傑出 合作完成一個共同的目標，我們彼此幫忙會更有生產力和有效率－甚至是衝突也有價值。「鐵磨鐵，磨出刃來；朋友相感（原文作磨朋友的臉）也是如此。」(箴言27章17節)

第二、團隊合作成就更大 就像雁群一起能旅行得更遠。工商業的團隊合作能成就更多，持續更長。「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)

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。

Sixteen simple words, but they overflow with wisdom and truth. When I read them, my first thought was of Olympic competitions. In sprinting events, runners compete individually with the sole objective of arriving at the finish line first. However, in relay races, as well as longer events like marathons, participants run in groups, whether as teams or to provide mutual support for the arduous competition. To succeed over the long haul, it seems best to go together than to go alone.

When I was a magazine editor, I usually wrote articles alone. However, when the time came to design the magazine and get it ready for publication, we had a talented team that merged our creative talents. When we were finished, the result was amazing: The whole was always greater than the sum of the parts.

In the business and professional world we often hear of visionary entrepreneurs who set ambitious goals. For a time they may do well, going fast while being independent. However, to fully realize their dreams, even innovative entrepreneurs need people that can bring their dreams to reality, whether it involves computer technology, developing new ways for manufacturing products, or designing a clothing line.

Years ago vocalist Frank Sinatra recorded a hit song with the refrain, “I Did It My Way.” However, even the late Mr. Sinatra needed many people – musicians, composers, backup singers, administrative staff, publicists and others to sustain his more than 60-year career.

We sometimes hear business executives talking about climbing the “ladder of success.” There are two curious things about this “ladder.” As you climb, as some have noted, you cross paths with others that have already gone as high as they can and are on the way back down. Also, if the ladder is very high, you need someone else to hold it steady so you do not fall off. You cannot climb the ladder alone.

The Bible offers many examples of people who had the wisdom to go far together – Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Jesus and His disciples, Barnabas and Paul, Paul and Timothy. We also find examples of men who tried to go fast alone and failed miserably in the latter stages of their lives – King David and his son, King Solomon, are among the most notable. Here are some pertinent principles from the Bible:

We can bring out the best in each other. In collaborating to achieve a common goal, we help one another to become more productive and effective – even creative conflict can prove to be valuable. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).

We can accomplish more together. Just as a flock of geese travels long distances by sharing the work of leading, a team of people in business can accomplish much more over long periods of time by joining together in a united, concerted effort. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work…. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).

© 2015. Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.