正直鏈中的重要環節

By Rick Boxx

許多公司和機構把「正直」列入他們的基本價值觀去引導每天的運作。雖然想要培養公司的正直文化是值得讚美的，但一個被誤導的員工會破壞這樣的希望。

公司的正直不僅是管理高層所支持的高貴原則。它實際上也是整個公司團隊合作的結果；許多人共同設定了一個一貫的個人正直標準。然而組織是鎖鏈中最弱的一環。

例如，一位顧客在與一個業務員或客服人員打交道時有不好的經驗就會嚴重影響那顧客對整個組織的觀點。若那種行為或態度重覆出現，或負面經驗的報導傳開來，一個商譽再好的公司也會受到無法挽回的傷害。

就如諺語告訴我們，一個壞蘋果會使整桶的蘋果都壞掉，一個員工的不好態度或不道德行為會玷污人們對整個組織的觀感。這似乎不公平，但事實就是如此。

舊約聖經的箴言17章21節這麼說：「生愚昧子的，必自愁苦；愚頑人的父毫無喜樂。」

就像一位父親感到愁苦，雇主也會感到愁苦。不論是一個家庭或一個公司，一個人就可以為團隊的每個人帶來破壞。雇用不好的員工會破壞公司多年建立的好名聲。以下是聖經對於選擇適當的員工，作為你們機構資產所提供的方針：

尋找誠實的人。是否把應徵人員的履歷表檢查確認過？他們是否是喜愛真誠的人？你是否感覺他們會為了一筆交易或為了在職業上更上層樓而扭曲真相？「說謊言的嘴為耶和華所憎惡；行事誠實的，為他所喜悅」（箴言12章22節）。

尋找有好名聲的人。他們是否是你所認識且尊敬的人所推薦？若他們又擔任領袖的角色，他們應該已展現出個人生活和專業上的正直。「作監督的，必須無可指責…有節制，自守，端正，樂意接待遠人，善於教導…作執事的，也是如此：必須端莊，不一口兩舌…不貪不義之財」（提摩太前書3章2-8節）。這裡所列的是屬靈領袖的資格，但這些也適用於那些領導公司企業的人。

如同箴言17章21節所提醒，愚昧人的父親沒有喜樂；若員工為公司帶來尷尬或羞辱，主管和老闆也不會有喜樂。下次你要雇用人時，要努力選出能帶來喜樂而非悲傷的人。

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。他的書「如何生意興隆而不犧牲正直」提供人們正直地作生意的方法。

思想 / 討論題目
你如何定義「正直」？ 你認為一個機構的領袖如何能最有效地創造並維持一個把正直置於第一優先的工作環境？ 為何我們看到或聽到許多實例中正直都不是公司最重要的美德？在今天這個步調快、壓力大、要求多的工商專業界，你認為根據正直的高標準工作並運作有可能嗎？請解釋。 若你要開始在你的工作場所－－或甚至在你每天的工作表現上－－做任何改變，以確保每個參與之人的正直標準更高，那些改變會是什麼？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9節、11章1、3節，12章17節，13章17節，20章14、25節，29章4節

CRITICAL LINKS IN THE CORPORATE INTEGRITY CHAIN

By Rick Boxx

Many companies and organizations include "Integrity" when they list their foundational values for guiding their day-to-day operations. Although this desire for fostering a corporate culture of integrity is admirable, such aspirations can be ruined by one misguided employee.

Corporate integrity is not simply a noble principle espoused at the top levels of corporate management. It is actually a culmination of the entire corporate team working in unity; many people combining to establish a consistent standard for personal integrity throughout the organization. An organization is only as good as the weakest link in the chain.

For instance, a customer”s one bad experience with a sales person or customer service representative can seriously taint their opinion of the entire organization. If such behavior or attitudes are repeated, or if reports of the negative experience become widespread, an otherwise reputable company can suffer irreparable damage.

Just as the adage tells us one bad apple can spoil an entire barrel of apples, poor behavior or unethical actions by a single employee can tarnish how people perceive an entire organization. It might not seem fair, but that is the reality.

Proverbs 17:21, found in the Bible”s Old Testament, presents it this way: "To have a fool for a son brings grief; there is no joy for the father of a fool."

Just as a father can experience grief, so can an employer. Whether in a family or a company, one individual can spoil things for everyone on the team. A bad hire can destroy a good reputation that has been built over many years. Here are some biblical guidelines for selecting people who will become assets for your organization:

Seek people who demonstrate honesty. Does the individual”s resume check out? Do they seem like people who cherish the truth, or do you sense they would be willing to bend the truth to make a sale or advance professionally? “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful” (Proverbs 12:22).

Look for people with solid reputations. Do they come highly recommended by people you know and respect? If they are to hold leadership roles, they should already have demonstrated a commitment to personal and professional integrity. “Now an overseer (manager) must be above reproach…temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach…. Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere…not pursuing dishonest gain” (1 Timothy 3:2-8). These qualifications are listed for spiritual leadership, but they also apply well for those charged with directing a corporate enterprise.

Just as Proverbs 17:21 reminds us there is no joy for the father of a fool, remember there also is no joy for leaders whose employees bring embarrassment or disgrace to their companies. The next time you hire someone, strive to select a person who brings joy instead of grief.

Copyright 2011, 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 book, How to Prosper in Business Without Sacrificing Integrity, gives a biblical approach for doing business with integrity.

Reflection/Discussion Questions
What would be your definition of “integrity”? How do you think the leadership of an organization can most effectively create and maintain an environment that makes integrity a top priority? Why do you think we see or hear about so many instances where integrity is not embraced as an important corporate virtue? In the fast-paced, high-pressure, demanding business and professional world of today, do you think working and operating consistently according to high standards of integrity is even possible? Explain your answer. If you were to begin making any changes at your workplace – or even in your daily work performance – to ensure higher levels of integrity on the part of everyone involved, what might some of them be?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:
Proverbs 10:9, 11:1,3, 12:17, 13:17, 20:14,25, 29:4