具有受教心
By Rick Boxx
我的朋友賴瑞去應徵一個大型的私人家族企業，老闆希望他可以當執行長兒子的指導老師，因為他將來要預備繼承這家公司。
在面試的時候，執行長的兒子單刀直入地問賴瑞說：「你可以訓練我將來領導這間公司嗎？」賴瑞也很誠實地回答說：「這就要看你是不是有一顆受教的心。如果有，我可以訓練你來經營這間公司。」執行長的兒子很滿意這個答案，所以賴瑞得到了這個工作。
在工商業界，有許多聰明有能力、在工作上也表現良好的人失敗，因為他們缺少了一個重要的特質：一顆受教的心。當一個人無心學習，覺得自己無所不知，又頑固地不願意接受別人好的建議，可以想見的，他們想要成功的機率是很低的。
這樣的原則應用到領導的關係上面也是一樣。一個領導者只能幫助那些有受教心、願意接受領袖的看見和經驗的人。一個人不願意學習就表示他不願意彎下腰接受別人的指導，這樣的人也無法成為一個好的領袖。
聖經常常談到有一顆受教的心，特別是箴言。箴言9章8節說「不要責備褻慢人，恐怕他恨你；要責備智慧人，他必愛你。」有很多人是硬著頸項，不願意接受教導的。願意接受教導的人，即使是從同輩的人那裡，也可以學到東西。
聖經裡面有另外一段經文提到「謹守訓誨的，乃在生命的道上；違棄責備的，便失迷了路」(箴言10章17節)。當一個受教的人學到如何改進和克服困難的時候，他會懂得感恩。聖經中也有另外一段經文提到，有一顆願意學習的心使智慧增長。「智慧人積存知識；愚妄人的口速致敗壞。」(箴言10章14節).
要成為一個有能力能創造的領袖，或是想要在事業上成功的年輕人，有一顆受教的心是很重要的。有一段我們很熟悉關於領袖特質的經文：作監督的，必須無可指責，只作一個婦人的丈夫，有節制，自守，端正，樂意接待遠人，善於教導；(提摩太前書 3:2) 也有另外的翻譯版本翻譯成：因此一個長老，要無可指責、穩重、敏銳、令人尊敬、對陌生人友善，並且要有一顆受教的心。
聖經裡還有一段經文，有類似的觀點：你們中間誰是有智慧有見識的呢？他就當在智慧的溫柔上顯出他的善行來。(雅各書3:13).
如果你要找年輕的領袖，花時間培養他們的領導能力，我會建議你找那些有受教心的人，你所投入的精力和時間會有豐厚的報酬。而我們自己也要保持一顆受教的心，因為無論我們年紀多大或者成就多高，學習是無止盡的。
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。您可以造訪他的網站www.integrityresource.org.。他最近的新著作”非典型企業-運用上帝的五個原則使企業成長Five Keys to Growing a Business God”s Way.”“
反省與問題討論
你會如何形容一個有受教心的人？ 你可以舉一個例子，告訴我們甚麼樣的人是很有受教心的？你認識哪一個和你一起工作的領袖是很有受教心的？那你自己呢，你覺得自己是很有受教心的人嗎？ 在文章中，有受教的心和有智慧、謙卑連在一起。你覺得要保持一顆受教的心，需要有智慧和謙卑嗎？ 文章中提到不受教的人是愚昧的，你同意嗎？這樣的判斷是不是太嚴苛了？解釋你的答案。
如果你手上有聖經，希望知道更多關於這個主題的經文請參考：箴言1章7節、3章13-15節、 9章9-10節、14章6、8節、15章31節、16章21節、19章8節；歌羅西書1章28-29節、3章16節
THE GIFT OF A TEACHABLE SPIRIT
By Rick Boxx
My friend, Larry, was being interviewed for a position to run the operations of a large, privately held, family business. The owners said they also wanted him to mentor the CEO”s son, with the intent that the young man would one day preside over the corporation.
During the interview, the executive”s son pointedly asked Larry, “Can you train me to eventually lead this organization?” Larry responded honestly, “That is up to you. If you have a teachable spirit, I can train you to run this business.” Apparently, the company ownership liked the response, because Larry got the job.
The world of business is littered with the failures of men and women that had great potential – possessing the intelligence and skill sets to perform well in their jobs, yet lacking one important quality: Teachability. When someone is unwilling to learn, assuming they already know everything there is to know, or acting obstinate and refusing to receive much-needed, well-intended instruction, predictably their likelihood of success is very low.
This applies to mentoring relationships as well. A mentor can only help the person he or she is mentoring if that individual is receptive to the insights and experience the mentor wishes to offer. Someone that is unwilling to learn, even if it means humbling oneself enough to be corrected as well as instructed, is poor leadership material.
The Bible speaks about this often, especially in the book of Proverbs. For instance, Proverbs 9:8 says, “Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, reprove a wise man and he will love you.” Many people, for whatever reason, become “stiff-necked” when someone attempts to teach them. Someone that is teachable, however, remains receptive to what they can learn from others, even their peers.
Another passage states, “He who heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray” (Proverbs 10:17). A teachable person appreciates learning about how to improve and overcome weaknesses. Yet another verse points out a desire to learn reflects growing wisdom: “Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin” (Proverbs 10:15).
Being teachable is a characteristic of established leaders, as well younger people striving to advance in their careers. One familiar verse describes requirements for leadership: “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2). However, a different translation of the same passage expresses it this way: “Therefore, an elder must be blameless…stable, sensible, respectable, hospitable to strangers, and teachable.”
One more passage offers a similar sentiment: “Which of you is a wise and well-instructed man? Let him prove it by a right life with conduct guided by a wisely teachable spirit”(James 3:13).
When looking for younger leaders in whom to invest your time, or to cultivate for future leadership, first look for those with a teachable spirit. Your investment of time and energy will prove to be far more fruitful. At the same time, we should never lose sight of the importance of remaining teachable ourselves. We are never too old, or too accomplished, to learn.
Copyright 2017, 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 new book, Unconventional Business, provides “Five Keys to Growing a Business God”s Way.”
Reflection/Discussion Questions
How would you describe someone with a teachable spirit? Give an example of someone you consider to be very teachable? Can you think of any leaders you are associated with who possess that trait? What about yourself – are you a teachable person? In this discussion of teachability, some related traits are mentioned, including wisdom and humility. Why do you think these would be significant for maintaining a teachable spirit? The idea also is presented that someone who is not teachable is a fool. Do you agree, or do you think such a judgment is too harsh? Explain your answer.
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Proverbs 1:7, 3:13-15, 9:9-10, 14:6,8, 15:31, 16:21, 19:8; Colossians 1:28-29, 3:16
