當一個好領袖，也當一個好的學習者
By Robert J. Tamasy
領導提供我們一些絕佳的機會，因此很多領導者認為他們擁有很大的特權。但是領導也代表很大的挑戰，不只是有效率地帶領其他人，也要能同時避免一些歷史上領導者所犯下的錯誤。
例如，領導者有可能會自我膨脹。這就是使徒保羅給我們的警告。我憑著所賜我的恩對你們各人說：不要看自己過於所當看的；要照著 神所分給各人信心的大小，看得合乎中道。(羅馬書12章3節)
自我膨脹其中一種形式就是把自己看得比應得的還高，原因是因為我們以為自己甚麼都知道，至少比我們領導的人或是管理的人多。我們害怕如果承認自己不知道所有問題的答案，我們就會被那些位階比我們低的人看不起。
但是，好的領導者有一個令人喜愛的特質就是願意去承認他們還是需要學習的。事實上，願意向那些位階比他們低的人身上學習，能夠讓領導者展現他們有多重視自己的員工。一個好的領袖也會持續學習，我在職場上學到很多很棒的功課都是從那些我僱用或是我領導的人那裡學來的。
我們發現耶穌基督是好的領袖持續學習最好的榜樣。在聖經裡面，耶穌是完全的神也是完全的人。道成肉身，他並沒有缺乏知識。相反的，他向他的門徒學習。例如，耶穌向他的門徒詢問：「你們認為誰是神的兒子？」(馬太福音16章13節)
其實他不需要問這個問題，但是他很想知道他的門徒會說甚麼，他預期門徒會有不一樣的回應。然後，耶穌問了第二個問題：「你們說我是誰？」門徒其中之一的彼得很快地回答說：「你是基督，是永生神的兒子。」(馬太福音 16章15-16節)。耶穌不只想要他們的答案，也希望鼓勵他們去好好思考永恆的問題。
同樣的原則也能應用在職場上。無論我們在哪一個企業上班，事實就是好的領袖會持續學習，這是不會錯的。事實上，這是一個放諸四海皆準的原則。在聖經裡面也有這樣的看見，包括在箴言裡面。以下是兩個例子:
對學習新事物保持開放的態度 。古諺說：「 三個臭皮匠勝過一個諸葛亮。」學習新事物需要謙虛的態度，我們每一個人都能從別人那裡學到東西，即使那個人的位階比我們低。「你要留心領受訓誨，側耳聽從知識的言語。」(箴言23章12節)
追求真實和理解。耶穌基督的門徒禱告求神的智慧和引導，神常常會使用其他的人來做。我們在做重要的決定之前，要有智慧去思考其他人在想甚麼。「你當買真理；就是智慧、訓誨，和聰明也都不可賣。」 (箴言23章23節)
© 2018. Robert J. TamasyIt 是企業巔峰: 給今日職場從箴言而來永恆的智慧 一書的作者。也與導師之心的作者David A. Stoddard 合著Tufting Legacies。編輯多本著作包括Mike Landry. Bob的書: 透過苦難成長。Mike Landry. Bob的網站為www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com, 他的雙週部落格為: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
反省與問題討論
你是否同意好的領袖會持續學習？理由是甚麼？你可以舉一些例子嗎？ 你可否舉出一些例子是你向那些在公司職位比你低的人學習的例子？ 你覺得向別人敞開心胸去聆聽別人說甚麼是一件很困難的事嗎？ 當一個領導者同時也是一個學習者是甚麼意思？ 有一些人形容自己是終身學習者，你是其中一個嗎？甚麼是你很享受學習的呢？
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：
撒母記上3章9-10節
3:9 因此以利對撒母耳說：「你仍去睡吧；若再呼喚你，你就說：『耶和華啊，請說，僕人敬聽！』」撒母耳就去，仍睡在原處。
3:10 耶和華又來站著，像前三次呼喚說：「撒母耳啊！撒母耳啊！」撒母耳回答說：「請說，僕人敬聽！」
箴言11章12節
11:12 藐視鄰舍的，毫無智慧；明哲人卻靜默不言。
箴言15章2、7節
15:2 智慧人的舌善發知識；愚昧人的口吐出愚昧。
15:7 智慧人的嘴播揚知識；愚昧人的心並不如此。
箴言16章21-23節
16:21 心中有智慧，必稱為通達人；嘴中的甜言，加增人的學問。
16:22 人有智慧就有生命的泉源；愚昧人必被愚昧懲治。
16:23 智慧人的心教訓他的口，又使他的嘴增長學問。
箴言17章27節
17:27寡少言語的，有知識；性情溫良的，有聰明。
箴言20章12節
20:12 能聽的耳，能看的眼，都是耶和華所造的。
箴言25章12節
25:12 智慧人的勸戒，在順從的人耳中，好像金耳環和精金的妝飾。
TO BE A GOOD LEADER, BE A GOOD LEARNER
By Robert J. Tamasy
Leadership offers great opportunities. Many leaders regard their roles as a tremendous privilege. But leadership also presents significant challenges, not only for effectively guiding others but also for avoiding pitfalls that have beset people in executive roles throughout history.
For example, leadership positions can inflate the ego. This is one reason we read this admonition from the apostle Paul, himself a well-established leader: “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you“ (Romans 12:3).
One form of “thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought” is operating according the assumption that we know everything, at least more than everyone we direct or manage. We fear that if we admit we do not have all the answers, subordinates might think less of us, even question our authority.
However, one of the endearing traits of good leaders is willingness to acknowledge they still have much to learn. In fact, openness to learn from those who report to them can enable leaders to show how much they value their staff. A good leader strives to remain a good learner. Many of my greatest workplace lessons have come from people I had hired and directed.
We find the good leaders are good learners principle exemplified by Jesus Christ, whom the Bible describes as fully God and fully man. As God in the flesh, He did not lack knowledge. Yet He showed His followers a willingness to learn from them. For instance, Jesus inquired of His disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13).
He did not need to ask this question, but was eager to hear what His followers had to say. Predictably, they offered a variety of responses. Then Jesus asked a second question, “But what about you? Who do you say that I am?” One of them, Peter, soon replied, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). Jesus not only wanted to know their answers, but also desired to encourage them to think through the most important question of all time.
The same applies to the realm of the workplace. No matter the enterprise in which we are involved, the truth that good leaders are good learners – leader/learners – never fails. In fact, it is timeless. The Bible gives much insight into this, including the book of Proverbs. Here are just two examples:
Maintain an openness to learning new things. It has been said, “Not one of us is as smart as all of us.” It may require humility to recognize it, but we each can learn from people even at the lowest professional levels. They can give perspectives and approaches we might not have considered. "Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge" (Proverbs 23:12).
Pursue truth and understanding. Followers of Jesus Christ pray for God”s wisdom and guidance. Often He supplies that through other people. We are wise to consider what they are thinking before making key decisions. “Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding” (Proverbs 23:23).
© 2018. 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 biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Do you agree that good learners also are good learners? Why or why not? Can you cite some examples? Can you think of a time when you learned from someone who held a position of lesser status and influence in your organization? What did you learn – and did you find it difficult to be open to considering what the other person had to say? What does it mean to be a leader/learner? What downsides, if any, can you think of in acknowledging you don”t have all the answers? Some people describe themselves as “lifetime learners.” Do you consider yourself one of those? If so, what kinds of things do you enjoy learning?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about principles it presents, consider the following passages: 1 Samuel 3:9-10; Proverbs 11:12, 15:2,7, 16:21-23, 17:27, 20:12, 25:12
