使命的重要性

投資人在選擇投資標的時，是否有意義也成為他們評估的選項之一。例如，2016年一個商業的搜尋工具Factiva發現「使命」「更高的目的」「改變世界」等字被投資人和投資顧問的電話通話中被討論了3243次，比五年前2318次多了很多。

這一個重大的改變是因為世代的改變。對Y世代(出生於西元1981-2000年)來說，讓這個世界有所不同，對他們來說是非常重要的。他們希望自己的職業、自己的公司和公司產品對自己家鄉甚至是世界是有正面影響的。

很多企業和組織在成立宗旨裡，很明確地載明公司和員工的長遠目標。一個清楚的使命宣言幫助個人分辨自己的和公司的目標是否相同。

對把工作當成信仰一部分的人來說，信仰是工作的目標。聖經教導我們，工作是神給我們的呼召，也是祂使用我們參與創造的計畫。「我們原是他的工作，在基督耶穌裏造成的，為要叫我們行善，就是上帝所預備叫我們行的。」 (以弗所書2章10節)換句話說，我們所擁有的才幹和天份不是偶然的，而是用來參與神在各地和全球的工作。

身為企業經營者、執行長和經理人，我們服事員工最好的方式就是告訴他們，神創造每一個人都是獨特的，公司成立也是有神獨特的旨意在其中。公司成立的宗旨也是招募員工的很好的方式，我們告訴來應徵的人，這個公司了解自己對社會的責任，我們期待員工也成為達成目標的一員。

會在工作裡找意義的人，通常會希望他們的工作是能實現夢想和有回報的，不只是犧牲而已。這樣的獻身値得真正的認同和感謝。如同箴言所說的:「你看見辦事殷勤的人嗎？ 他必站在君王面前，必不站在下賤人面前。」(箴言22章29節)

當員工感覺自己是有使命的，在工作和負責任方面都會超越僅僅是趕上截止日以及做好自己份內的事情而已。他們會有精神、有動力以及更加有生產力。公司方面也會因此受益，成為企業個人雙贏的局面。

本文版權為正直資源中心（Integrity Resource Center, Inc.）所有。本文獲得授權改編自「瑞克．博克思 的正直時刻Integrity Moments with Rich Boxx」。這系列的文章是以一個基督徒的觀點評論職場的正直議題。

This concern is shared by many people as they evaluate their investment options. For instance, Factiva, an online business information and research tool, discovered the words "mission" "higher purpose," or "changing the world" were discussed 3,243 times by investors with their financial advisors on recorded phone calls in 2014, compared to only 2,318 times five years before.

One reason for this significant surge in interest is generational. There is a strong emphasis among many men and women in the so-called “millennial generation” who want to work somewhere that is making a difference in the world. They want their vocations – and the companies that employ them – to contribute positively to people that use their products and services, communities where they are located, and to the world at large.

Many businesses and organizations already have statements of mission, vision and values, so they can readily address the desire for a greater purpose that many of their workers and prospective employees have. A well-articulated mission statement helps an individual to quickly discern whether a company”s overriding purpose and their own are in alignment.

For those of us that see our work as an expression of our spiritual convictions, this also makes a lot of sense. The Bible teaches vocational pursuits are part of God”s calling and His plan for us to participate in His creation constructively. "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). In other words, the gifts and talents we possess are not arbitrary, but divinely given for us to participate in God”s work locally and globally.

As employers, executives and managers, one of the ways we can best serve those working under our direction is to communicate how much we value the ways God has designed them and our business for His unique purposes. This can also serve as a good recruiting tool, showing job seekers that the company has an understanding of its role in society and how individual members of the team can contribute toward achieving that purpose.

People who find meaning in their work and pursue excellence in all they do typically find their jobs more fulfilling and rewarding, and not just in terms of compensation. And that dedication deserves genuine recognition and appreciation. As Proverbs 22:29 states, “Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men.”

When workers feel they are “on a mission,” undertaking tasks and responsibilities that transcend mere deadlines and quotas, they become inspired, highly motivated and more productive. The company benefits as well, making it a win-win situation for everyone.

Copyright 2016, 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.