傳達一個清楚的異象(願景)
By By Rick Boxx
在不久之前，我的一個朋友史迪夫被問道：「若你能重新開始你的事業，你的做法會有何不同？」史迪夫迅速且堅定地回答：「我會一開始就立刻清楚地表達公司的異象、使命和價值觀，並且常常把這些與屬下溝通。」
幾年來，史迪夫發現一旦他的團隊清楚了解自己的身份，他們就能瞄準目標，公司也就變得更有效率與效能。本質上，他們已回應了這三個重要的問題：「我們要走向哪裡？」「我們要如何走到那裡？」「我們如何知道已經到達？」
麥克斯．迪普立曾是一家辦公室傢俱公司的執行長，也寫了許多書籍，他觀察到組織內清楚的溝通對機構充分運作是非常重要的。他說：「當資訊正確且自由地分享，公司內的人際關係就更好。」
這原則在生活中的任何情況都適用－－不論是計畫家庭的活動、戰爭、或執行慈善活動。但在工商專業界裡，每個獨特的個人提供各種能力、興趣和經驗，為了將這些不同的人組合起來，強調清楚的異象、使命和價值觀更是不可或缺。
為了確保成功，對於計畫、目標、期待、責任或角色應該沒有任何混淆不清。而且溝通不應該零星，需要持續且完整。
這就是為什麼有些組織把使命和異象（願景）宣言實際展示在辦公室和設備上。寫下這些宣言若只放進抽屜，然後忘掉，就沒有什麼價值。但若在員工會議中定期復習這些宣言，就能把那些宣言留在他們心中重要的位置。
聖經是有史以來最好的商場手冊，在聖經中我們看到許多強調需要清楚表達異象和使命的例子。例如，上帝指示先知哈巴谷：「將這默示明明地寫在版上，使讀的人容易讀。因為這默示有一定的日期，快要應驗，並不虛謊。」（哈巴谷書2章2-3節）。
耶穌基督在快結束祂地上的服事時，祂清楚地把使命和異象宣言告訴祂的「屬下」－－祂忠心的跟隨者：「所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒…凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守」（馬太福音28章19-20節）。在這個簡明的指示中，耶穌向祂的跟隨者確定他們的身份、他們要去哪裡、以及他們要做什麼。
把這觀念帶到工作場所，若員工團隊不知道要朝哪個方向去，他們就很難有生產力。所以要記得傳達異象，而且要定期且常常傳達。
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。想要更多了解正直資源中心或想要收到電子文件的「瑞克每天的正直時刻Rick”s daily Integrity Moments」系列文章，請上網www.integrityresource.org。他的書「如何生意興隆而不犧牲正直」提供人們正直地作生意的方法。
思想 / 討論題目
你或你的公司是否有一個清楚表達的異象嗎？若有，是什麼？ 若有人問你，你在你們公司的角色，以及你們公司的使命和方向，你會如何回應？ 你是否知道某個公司沒有清楚地傳達他們的異象和使命？這對員工和他們的整體生產力有何影響？ 你對公司的異象和使命宣言不僅要寫下來，還要展示在醒目的地方有何看法？你可想出這麼做會有什麼可能的負面效應？請解釋。註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
約書亞書1章6-9節；尼希米記2章17-18節；箴言16章21-23節，29章18節；使徒行傳1章8節
COMMUNICATING A CLEAR VISION
By Rick Boxx
Not long ago Steve, a friend of mine, was asked, "If you started your business over again, what would you do differently?" Steve answered quickly and decisively: "I would immediately clarify the vision, mission, and values of the business and constantly communicate it to staff."
Over time, Steve had discovered that once his team gained a clear understanding of who they were, and were all aligned regarding where they were headed, the business became much more efficient and effective. In essence, they had answers to three key questions: “Where are we headed?” “How are we going to get there?” “How will we know when we have arrived?”
Max DePree, former CEO of an office furniture company and author of several books, observed that clear communication within an organization is essential to its optimum operation. He said, “Relationships within corporations improve when information is shared accurately and freely.”
This principle is true for any endeavor in life – whether planning family activities, going to war, or carrying out charitable initiatives. But in the business and professional world, where unique individuals offering a variety of abilities, interests and experience are blended together, the need for clarity of vision, mission and values cannot be overestimated.
To ensure success, there should be no confusion about plans, goals, expectations, responsibilities or roles. And this communication should not sporadic; it needs to be continuous and complete.
This is why some organizations physically display statements of mission and vision throughout their offices and facilities. Writing these documents serves little value if they are filed in drawers and forgotten. And if these statements are periodically reviewed during staff meetings, it keeps them in the forefront of everyone”s mind.
In the Bible, the best manual for the marketplace ever compiled, we see many instances where the need for clear expression of vision and mission are underscored. For example, God instructed the prophet Habakkuk, "Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail" (Habakkuk 2:2-3).
At the close of his earthly ministry, Jesus Christ made a clear statement of both mission and vision to his “staff” – his faithful followers: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). In this concise directive, Jesus affirmed to his followers who they were, where they were to go, and what they were to do.
Bringing that concept back to the workplace setting, it is difficult for any staff team to be productive if they don’t know where they’re headed. So remember to cast vision – regularly and consistently.
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
Do you, or your company, have a clearly articulated vision? If so, what is it? If someone were to ask you about your specific role and what the intended mission and direction of your company are, how would you respond? Have you ever been associated with an organization where the vision and mission were not clearly communicated? What effect did that have on the employees and their overall productivity? What do you think about having a company”s vision and mission statements not only presented in written form, but also prominently displayed? Can you think of any possible downside in doing that? Explain your answer.NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:
Joshua 1:6-9; Nehemiah 2:17-18; Proverbs 16:21-23, 29:18; Acts 1:8
