在職場成功需要團隊合作
By Robert J. Tamasy
要找到今天的職場成功的模式，我們必須觀察一下身體如何運作。當人生病的時候，疾病會讓身體某部分不能正常運作。想像一下沒有一個正常運作的心臟，或是沒有指揮身體的大腦，在這種狀況之下的人，即使其他的器官都正常運作，這個人也不可能健康地活著。
相同地，在職場上，個人和企業的成功都是因為很多人各司其職，運用不同的天賦和經驗，為著同一個相同的目標努力一同達成的。
最近，我有一個機會跟一個小公司的成員會面。一對一，然後對全體，進行個別的人格特質、能力、和別人合作的效率以及當需求沒有被滿足、有壓力情況下的行為。透過伯樂門(Birkman Method註1)測驗工具，他們能夠學到很多關於他們自己和別人的事情。
這樣的互動最大的收益，就是能學習欣賞彼此的能力差異，以及如何能最有效率合作，知道彼此在不同的領域做不同的工作時，仍然能彼此幫助。經過這樣的對談，公司的員工能學到三股合成的繩子不容易折斷。
我們在團體運動也能夠看到合作的力量。無論是足球、美式橄欖球、籃球或是曲棍球，每一個運動員都堅守自己的崗位並且做好自己的工作。每個人都有自己的角色，但是要贏得比賽，他們必須團隊合作。
和神的關係是個人化的，但是團隊合作的概念也很常出現在聖經裡面:
衝突的價值。鐵磨鐵是製作刀鋒的方法。同樣的，我們彼此之間的互動，包括衝突和混亂，都是計畫、評估是否有不同選擇性和發現新的解決問題的方法。「鐵磨鐵，磨出刃來；朋友相感（原文是磨朋友的臉）也是如此。」 (箴言27章17節)
彼此支持的益處。有時候，我們決定要用自己的方式做事，所以拒絕別人干涉。然而，結合兩個人或更多人的能力才幹一同工作，被證明是更有效率、更有生產力的。「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。」(傳道書4章9-12節)
一同學習的重要。諺語告訴我們:三個臭皮匠勝過一個諸葛亮。要成為有效率的團隊最好的方式就是分享彼此的想法、智慧、以及理解從彼此所學到的。「你在許多證人面前從我領受了的教導，你也應該交付給你所信任而能夠教導別人的人。」 (提摩太後書2章2節)
註1:MTI公司推廣的伯樂門人才測評系统（BIRKMAN METHOD），從興趣、通常行為、需求和壓力行為四個方面来描述一個人的性格。它為個人提供的幫助：準確的測定性格類型、深層挖掘潛能、科學的職業定位、深層認識人與人之間的差異在個人成長等方面的應用指導等等。
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。他寫過一本書「最佳狀態的商業：箴言給今日職場的歷久彌新智慧」（Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace）；他也與David A. Stoddard合著一本書「導師之心」（The Heart of Mentoring）
省思與問題討論
你自己或是認識的人是否曾經經歷身體的某個器官無法運作的狀況？當時的症狀是甚麼？其他的器官是否試著要去支撐這個器官？分享你的經驗。 你每天工作時，都把它當作是一個人的工作或是團體合作共同達成目標的一部份？分享你的答案。 從你的經驗裡，在遇到職場的機會和挑戰時，團隊合作最大的好處是甚麼？如果從另一個不同的角度看這個問題，團隊合作如何增長靈性和成果？ 在職場上，一個有效率的團隊遇到最大的困難和障礙是甚麼？
備註: 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：羅馬書12章4-8節；哥林多前書12章12-26節；哥林多後書3章5節；提摩太後書1章13節
SUCCESS IN THE MARKETPLACE IS A TEAM SPORT
By Robert J. Tamasy
To find a template for success in today”s workplace, we need look no farther than the human body. Illness and disease are often the result of one part of the body not functioning as it should, or not functioning at all. Imagine an otherwise healthy body without a beating heart, or a brain directing the systems of the body. Even if all the other organs were fully functional, life without even one of the major organs would not be possible.
In a similar way, success in the marketplace – individually and corporately – results from many people possessing different strengths, gifts and levels of experience, sharing a common mission.
Recently I had the opportunity to meet with members of a small firm, one-to-one and then as a group, to review their respective traits, strengths, needs for working effectively with others, and their stress behavior when needs are not met. Through the use of an assessment tool called the Birkman Method, they learned a lot about themselves and one another.
One of the greatest benefits of this kind of interaction is learning to value and appreciate each other”s capabilities and differences, and how to work together most effectively, understanding how they can complement one another as they engage in various projects and tasks. Members of this firm learned, as is often the case, the whole can and should be greater than the sum of the parts.
We clearly see this demonstrated in team sports as well, athletes playing their positions and carrying out their assignments, whether on a soccer or football field, basketball court or hockey rink. They all play different roles, but for the team to win they must all do their jobs well.
The team concept is also often presented in the Bible, even though a growing relationship with God is a very personal, individual matter. Here are some principles it cites:
The value of creative friction. Metal rubbing against metal is a time-tested way of sharpening a blade. In like manner, our interaction with one another, even when conflict and seeming chaos result, serves as one of the best ways of planning, evaluating alternatives and discovering new solutions to problems. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
The benefit of mutual support. At times, we might feel determined to do things our own way and resist the involvement of others. However, the combined strength, capacity and abilities of two or more people working together invariably proves to be most effective and productive. “Two are better than one, because they have a great return for their work. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!… A cord of three strands is hard to break” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12).
The importance of shared learning. “Not one of us is as smart as all of us,” the adage tells us. One of the best ways of being an effective team is sharing the insights, wisdom and understanding we have attained and gained from others. “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).
© 2017. Robert J. Tamasy has written Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring, and edited numerous other books, including Advancing Through Adversity by Mike Landry. Bob”s website is www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com, and his biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Have you – or someone you know well – ever suffered from having a major part of the body not functioning properly? What were the symptoms, and how did the remainder of the body attempt to rally in support of the ailing organ or member? When you approach your work most days, do you typically view it as an individual or as a part of a team of people working toward a commonly accepted goal or objective? Explain your answer. From your experience, what are some of the greatest benefits or assets of taking a team approach to workplace opportunities and challenges? Looking at the question a little differently, how can taking a team perspective enhance spiritual growth and fruitfulness? What are some of the greatest obstacles or hindrances to working effectively as a team in the marketplace?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Romans 12:4-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; 2 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:13
