投資與不投資的代價

有兩家公司的執行長正在談論關於訓練和培養組織內部人員所要需的花費。財政總長詢問執行長說:「如果我們培養的人離開了怎麼辦？ 」這個執行長就看著另外一個回答說，「如果我們都不培養人才，他們還會留下來嗎？」

這是一個值得深思的問題是嗎? 無論公司大小，在大部分的公司裡，有些人就像是槁木死灰，推卸責任、總是在最後的截止時間前掙扎、只等著領薪水，不想進步或是成為組織使命和目標的貢獻者。原因有很多，但問題的癥結通常在於我們沒有投資在他們身上。

投資的廣告告訴我們，如何為個人的未來增加價值和存款，特別是那些即將退休的人。但是最大的投資莫過於，不管結果是否「成功」，將自己的時間精力和經驗與其他人分享，投資在人身上。也許某些人會因為更好的原因離開，但總比都不投資然後讓這些人，因為被低估潛力和能力，最後成為公司的負擔來得好。

有人說，一個真正的領袖，他的影響力不在於他掌權的時候，而是在他離開之後，他的工作是否能維持下去?或者就停滯不前甚至死亡？一個獻身的領袖投資在他的組織和培養人才上，無論這些人之後是否還會在他的公司，或是離開到其他地方成為領袖，他的精神仍然繼續下去。

相反的，不好的領袖離開時會讓這個公司不穩定、動搖企業根本，就像房屋倒塌或是紙牌陣倒塌一樣。他們因為自私、驕傲和不願意投資在人身上，所留下的只有失敗和無能。

耶穌在這個世上的時候，祂投資在許多當時社會看為無用的門徒身上，他們中間沒有一個「有成功的希望」。但是當耶穌離開地上的時候，祂將使命托付給他們，而門徒繼續將耶穌的使命傳給無數人直到今天。

耶穌給他的門徒很簡單的指示：「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)。節使徒保羅就受惠於敬虔的巴拿巴對他生命長期的投資。而他也告訴年輕的提摩太說：「你在許多見證人面前聽見我所教訓的，也要交託那忠心能教導別人的人。」 (提摩太後書2:2)

也許以前也有人投資在你身上。無論我們領導的是大企業或者是小公司，是經理或者是一個小部門的職員，我們都有自己特別的重要影響力。你投資在誰身上？ 如果你不投資，誰會投資呢？

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。他也是一個有40年經驗的退休新聞工作者。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）。最近他還編輯Gary Highfield所寫的書「當『想要』變成『必須』！」要了解更多資訊, 可上網www.leaderslegacy.com 或上他的部落格www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com以及www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com 。

A thought-provoking question, right? In most companies, regardless of size, some people are like dead wood – handling responsibilities, striving to meet deadlines and receiving paychecks, but not growing or becoming stellar contributors to the organization”s mission and goals. There might be other factors involved, but often we simply have failed to invest in them.

We see advertisements and commercials about financial investments – how to increase one”snet worth or savings for the future, especially for those approaching retirement age. However, there is probably no greater investment than to share one”s time, energy and experience with other people, regardless of whether results feel like “success.” It is far better to invest in people and lose some that move on to better opportunities than not to invest and become burdened with people operating well below their potential and capabilities.

It can be argued the true mark of a leader is not what occurs while he is in control, but what happens after he leaves. Does the work continue and grow, or does it stagnate or die?A dedicated leader investing in and developing people that work for his or her organization will leave an enduring legacy, whether those individuals remain with the company or leave for key leadership roles at other places.

By contrast, poor leaders leave unstable, even crumbling enterprises when they are removed from the picture, much like a house of cards. Their legacy, often because of selfishness, pride and an unwillingness to invest in others, is failure and futility.

During His time on earth, Jesus Christ invested in a handful of ragtag disciples, none of whom would have been voted “most likely to succeed.” Yet when He departed from the earth, He entrusted them with His mission, one that continues to be embraced by countless millions today.

Jesus gave His followers simple instructions:”Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19). And the apostle Paul, the beneficiary of a long-term investment in his own life by a faithful man named Barnabas,told young Timothy, “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).

Maybe someone invested in you. Whether we leadlarge corporations, have our own businesses, are managers or even employees in a small department, we each have a unique, significant sphere of influence. Who are you investing in? And if you”re not investing in them, who is?

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. He has written Tufting Legacies (iUniverse); Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace (River City Press);coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring (NavPress), and most recently edited When “Want To” Becomes “Have To!” by Gary Highfield. For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or his blogs, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.comand www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com.