智慧地選擇員工
對於任何機構而言，最大的資源就是機構裡的人員。公司可能有頂尖的產品或服務，可能有雄厚的資本，可能有無以倫比的行銷策略，可能有很好的商譽，但若沒有對的員工去執行它的使命－－不僅有技術和經驗，也有標準的高品格－－就很難確保會成功。
當我在會計師事務所工作時，有一次我與公司另一位同事急著要完成一項稽核，以便能趕上回家的班機。但出乎意料地，那個小鎮突然停電，使我無法影印與我們稽核的相關文件。
我們公司東北部的辦公室派了一位年輕人來協助我。我就告訴他：「我去鄰鎮影印。當我離開時，我要你與這公司的職員填這份問卷，然後打包我們的文件和器材。這樣，當我回來時，我們就可立刻離開。」
但當我回來時，卻驚訝地發現這年輕人在那公司會議室的桌上呼呼大睡。他一直沒有離開會議室，更沒有照我要求地與那公司的職員填問卷。當我叫醒他時，他才喃喃地說他喝了太多酒。
我氣忿地打電話給亞特蘭大的合夥經理，告訴他我認為這年輕人有這種不恰當且不專業的行為，應該被處罰。後來紐澤西辦公室非常尷尬，他們決定處罰還不夠，他們立刻把那年輕人解僱了。
在聖經舊約中，我們發現對人的品格有許多智慧的觀察，包括他們的勤奮和動機。例如箴言10章26節說：「懶惰人叫差他的人如醋倒牙，如煙薰目」。坦白說，碰到那愚昧的年輕會計師讓我有相同的感覺。我真是很生氣。
另一節箴言也讓我想到那無動力的同事：「懶惰使人沉睡；懈怠的人必受飢餓」（箴言19章15節）。我不知道後來他怎麼了，但我希望他被解僱對他是一個很大的提醒。
還有兩節箴言提供了一個鮮明的對比：「藉愚昧人手寄信的，是砍斷自己的腳，自受損害」（箴言26章6節）。「忠信的使者叫差他的人心裡舒暢，就如在收割時有冰雪的涼氣」（箴言25章13節）。
因為員工是我們機構的代表，不論是內勤或要與客戶打交道的員工，智慧地選擇員工是很重要的。我們不能只靠公司的好商譽，或過去與客戶的良好關係。員工不好的表現或行為會留下長期的負面印象，而且那是很難扭轉的。
思想 / 討論題目
你是否同意任何機構最大的資源是它的人員？為什麼？ 若你要處置文中那樣一個愚昧、不負責任的員工或同事，你會如何做？ 成功地選擇所要僱用的人員是一項挑戰。你有什麼方法能分辨出員工的品格，如勤奮、有學習動機或正直？ 當你被指派要對外代表你的機構時，你會採取什麼步驟以確保你會「叫差你的人心裡舒暢」，讓別人對你的機構有一個美好、正面的印象，使他們能信任你的機構？註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言10章4-5節，13章4節，17章21、25節，18章9節，19章3、10節，21章25節，24章7節，26章1、11節
CHOOSE EMPLOYEES WISELY
By: Rick Boxx
For any organization, its greatest resource is its people. The company may have cutting-edge products or services. It may have a substantial supply of financial capital. It may have an incomparable marketing strategy. It may have a stellar reputation. But without the right employees to carry out its mission – not only in terms of skills and experience, but also high levels of personal character – success is far from assured.
When I was in public accounting, one time I and another member of our staff were rushing to complete an audit so we could catch our flights home. Unexpectedly, all electrical power was lost in the town where we were working. I was unable to make necessary photocopies of documents related to our audit.
A young man from our corporate office in the Northeast had been assigned to assist me. "I’m going to the next town to make some copies," I told him. "While I am gone, I want you to review this questionnaire with the clerk and then pack up our papers and equipment so we can leave quickly after I get back."
Upon my return I was stunned to find this young man sound asleep on top of the table in the company”s board room. He had never left the room, much less reviewed the questionnaire with the clerk as I had requested. When I woke him up, he began babbling about being hung over from drinking alcohol.
Exasperated, I called the managing partner in Atlanta and expressed my belief that this young man should be disciplined for such inappropriate and unprofessional behavior. Later I learned the New Jersey office was so embarrassed they determined that discipline would not be sufficient; they terminated the young man immediately.
In the Old Testament of the Bible, we find many wise observations about the character of people, including their diligence and motivation. For instance, Proverbs 10:26 states, "Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him." In all honesty, dealing with that foolish accountant brought about similar feelings for me. I was irritated, to say the least.
Another proverb that reminds me of that unmotivated colleague: “Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless man goes hungry” (Proverbs 19:15). I do not know what happened to him, but I hope that his dismissal served as a much-needed wakeup call.
Two more proverbs offer a vivid contrast: “Like cutting off one”s feet or drinking violence is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool” (Proverbs 26:6) and “Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters” (Proverbs 25:13).
Since employees serve as representatives of our organization, whether in our own facilities or interacting with clients in their offices, it is important to choose wisely those who work for us. We cannot rely only on a strong corporate reputation or dealings we have had with clients in the past. Poor performance or poor behavior can leave a lasting, negative impression that might be very difficult to overcome.
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.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Do you agree that the greatest resource for any organization is its people? Why or why not? How do you think you would have reacted if you had to deal with such a foolish, irresponsible employee or colleague? The challenge is to succeed in making the right hiring choices. What are some ways that you think employers can identify important character traits, such as diligence, motivation, or integrity? What steps have you taken to ensure that whenever you are called upon to represent your organization to others, you are like “the messenger who refreshes the spirit of his masters,” presenting a fair and positive image that inspires confidence and trust?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:
Proverbs 10:4-5, 13:4, 17:21,25, 18:9, 19:3,10, 21:25, 24:7, 26:1,11
