在職場慷慨

有一個朋友，我姑且叫他喬依。他有很好的名聲，因為他在社區裡對許多人都樂善好施，即使對不怎麼認識但有極大需要的人也是如此。喬依展現慷慨的行為並非為了得到人們的認可；他只是覺得用自己的一些資源去幫助別人的需要是一件喜樂的事。

然而有一天，一件意外的事使他察覺到自己一直對職場以外的人展現仁慈，卻忽略了自己的員工。喬依和他的妻子發現有一個員工有緊急的需要，而那需要只要費一些勞力和材料就能解決。

很快地我的朋友就主動收集材料並動員其他員工一起去解決那問題。當他們一起動手做時，沒有人覺得有多大的犧牲或費力。他們證實了諺語所說：「人手多，工作就輕省。」

今天喬依仍然非常慷慨，不論在他的時間、精力、或其他的物質資源上。但他特別要知道他自己公司裡的需要，使公司感覺像家。回想那次員工事件的啟發，他笑自己以前竟然沒有注意到發生在自己工作環境裡的需要，那些需要幾乎就是發生在自己鼻子底下。

顯然，喬依並不是故意要忽略那些需要。只是當我們專心向外看有沒有人正在掙扎時，我們很容易忽略親近之人的需要－－不論是在工作或家中。有時我們近視就能幫助人，我們確反而變得遠視。

我們可以從中東的牧羊人學到功課。他們必須看守他們的羊群，常常守衛牠們的安全。這些牧羊人小心地察看羊群的周圍，要確定沒有掠食者靠近。但他們也仔細地看每隻羊，要確定牠們沒有生病、受傷，或吃下什麼有害的東西。

以此類推到你身為領袖、主管或經理的角色：在職場中身為「牧羊人」，你應該把員工視為你的家人。他們受你僱用，所以你有權期待他們把工作做得有結果且有效率，但他們也有權期待你在有需要時提供協助。那需要可以包括個人諮詢、有需要時可以請假、委託受過訓練的專業人士來協助、協助解決家庭的問題、甚至在適當時提供財務幫助。

聖經新約提摩太前書5章8節教導我們：「人若不看顧親屬，就是背了真道，比不信的人還不好，不看顧自己家裡的人，更是如此。」這是多麼強烈的一句話。

雖然員工在血源和遺傳上不是我們的家人，但你若是一個領袖，在你的公司應該展現慷慨－－而且應該從你開始。

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

思想 / 討論題目
你是否同意本文作者的主張說，慷慨是領袖或經理對待員工的一個重要層面？為什麼？ 你或你認識的人是否曾受惠於職場中的慷慨行為？請詳述那情況並說明你有何感覺。 若我們對別人慷慨，不論在職場、家中或社區裡，你認為我們的動機應該是什麼？慷慨的行為是否應該期待有一天可以得到回報？請解釋。 有什麼因素會讓人不願在職場慷慨？註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言11章24-25節，18章16節，19章6節，19章17節，21章13節，22章9節；哥林多後書9章6-9節

PRACTICING WORKPLACE GENEROSITY

By: Rick Boxx

A friend, whom I will call Joe, had a strong reputation for being generous toward many people in his community, and even with individuals with significant needs that he learned about, even though he hardly knew them. Joe did not demonstrate the acts of generosity for recognition; he did them simply because of the joy received from being able to use some of his own resources to help in meeting the needs of others.

One day, however, an unexpected event caused him to realize that in the midst of showing kindness to people outside his workplace, he had been overlooking his own staff. Joe and his wife discovered an employee with pressing needs that could be remedied fairly easily with some labor and materials.

Soon my friend was taking the initiative to gather materials and mobilize other employees to team up in fixing the problem. Working together, no one was required to sacrifice much, but they clearly fulfilled the adage: “Many hands make light work.”

Today Joe continues to be extremely generous, with his time and energy, as well as his material resources. But he makes a point to be aware of needs arising within his own company that, in a real sense, feels like home. Reflecting back on that time of enlightenment, Joe chuckles when he thinks of how oblivious he had been to concerns that existed within his working environment, almost under his nose.

Clearly, Joe was not intentionally ignoring needs that should have been so obvious. Sometimes it is easy to overlook the needs of those close to us – whether at work or in our own homes – when we focus on looking outward to identify people that are struggling. We become far-sighted at times when near-sightedness would be helpful.

We can take a lesson from shepherds in the Middle East that must watch over their sheep, being constantly vigilant about their well-being and safety. These shepherds carefully scan the perimeter of their flocks, to make sure no predators are approaching. But they also watch each sheep closely to safeguard against disease, injury, or simply ensuring that the animals do not eat things that could be harmful.

Apply that analogy to your role as a leader, executive or manager: As a “shepherd” in the marketplace, your employees should be considered much like your family. They are in your employ, and while you have a right to expect them to perform their jobs productively and effectively, they have a similar right to expect you to offer aid at times of need. This could include personal counseling; time off if necessary; referrals to trained professionals to assist in specific areas; assistance with resolving family issues; even financial help when appropriate.

In the New Testament of the Bible, 1 Timothy 5:8 teaches, "If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." What a powerful statement that is.

Although our employees may not be family in terms of personal bloodline and heredity, if you are a leader, generosity should be demonstrated in your workplace – and it should begin with you.

Copyright 2010, 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 (IRC), or to determine how well you are doing at following God”s principles in your workplace, take IRC”s free FIRE Assessment at www.integrityresource.org.

Reflection/Discussion Questions
Do you agree with Mr. Boxx”s contention that generosity should be an important aspect of a leader”s or manager”s involvement with employees? Why or why not? Have you – or someone you know – ever benefited from an act of generosity where you work? Recount that situation and explain how it made you feel. If we are generous to others, whether at work, in the home or in our communities, what do you think should be our motivation? Should acts of generosity be performed with expectation of one day receiving something – of having the favor returned? Explain your answer. What are factors that can prevent or discourage workplace generosity? NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:
Proverbs 11:24-25, 18:16, 19:6, 19:17, 21:13, 22:9; 2 Corinthians 9:6-9

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