當你工作的時候，是充滿真誠的嗎？
By Robert J. Tamasy
週一嗎哪已經被翻譯成許多不同的語言，全世界各地文化背景很不相同的人們都能看到!所以我講一個以英文為背景的主題可能會有一點危險。不過，我希望翻譯能夠克服這個困難。
我很著迷於「真誠」這個字。事實上，一首多年前的流行歌的歌名就叫做：「你夠誠懇嗎？」貓王是唱這首歌其中的歌手之一。問題是，甚麼是「真誠」？
Sincere這個字來自拉丁文的sincerus這個字，意思就是純粹。字典解釋真誠就是不虛偽或是假裝。最近，我聽到一個更好的解釋：有些人說古書中「真誠」這個字意思是沒有打蠟。拉丁字的sine是「沒有」的意思，而 cera 則是「蠟」.
在古代，陶器或是雕像如果破掉或是受傷，會用蠟做修補。因為蠟是透明的，所以能巧妙地把破損修補好，直到蠟遇熱融化。蠟也能夠讓破損的東西黏在一起。所以古代人去買陶器雕像時，他們都會堅持要買沒有蠟的。
在工商人的領域裡，人們會從工作環境、公司產品或是提供的服務上面找一些特質，「真誠」在這些特質上排名很前面。和人做生意時，我們大概都會希望遇到沒有上蠟(真誠)的對象。
不幸的是，我們發現真誠常常是缺席的。無論是不令人滿意的雇傭關係、沒有遵守對顧客的承諾或是減少承諾，很多公司都不斷重複地出現缺乏誠意的狀況。
大部分的人不會去要求公司是完美無瑕的，因為公司也是不完美有缺點的人們所組成的。但是，當我們購買東西的時候，無論是電腦、食物、車子或是其他別的東西，我們都希望賣家能夠遵守當初給我們的承諾。例如，有人因為升遷制度而進入一間公司，他們就會期待高層能夠「真誠」遵守當初的承諾，給表現良好的員工升遷。
以下的原則提供給希望建立真誠公司組織或是希望能保持真誠的人：
第一、以人為本 把其他人的需要放在自己的需要之前，就能確保真誠。 愛人不可虛假。惡，要厭惡；善，要親近。 愛弟兄，要彼此親熱；恭敬人，要彼此推讓。(羅馬書12章9-10節).
第二、把生意放在檯面上 所有的條約和交易應該是公開，沒有欺騙的。惡人暗中受賄賂，為要顛倒判斷。(箴言17章23節).
第三、在困難的時候，仍然要忠心。 困難是考驗真誠最佳的試金石。朋友乃時常親愛，弟兄為患難而生。(箴言17章17節).
省思與問題討論
你認為從哪一項特質可以看出一個企業或專業人士是真誠的？分享你的答案。 你可以分享遇到不真誠的公司或是工作夥伴的經驗嗎？當時是甚麼狀況，而你是如何回應的？ 你自己對真誠就是不上蠟這樣的解釋，有甚麼看法？請分享你的答案。 你覺得在職場上一個人要如何才能保持和表現出真誠，尤其當有壓力、績效和截止日的時候？
備註：如果你手上有聖經，希望能閱讀更多關於這個主題的經文，請參考：箴言4章23節、11章3節、16章2節、20章14節；雅各書2章15-16節；雅各書5章22節；彼得前書1章22節。
WHEN YOU WORK, IS IT “WITHOUT WAX”
By Robert J. Tamasy
Since Monday Manna is received by countless thousands of people around the world speaking many different languages and living in a variety of cultures, there is a danger in introducing a topic based on a single English word. However, I hope this will translate well for all who read it.
A word that intrigues me is “sincere.” In fact, a popular song from years ago was called, “Are You Sincere?” One of those who recorded it was the legendary Elvis Presley. The real question is, what does it mean to be sincere?
This word comes from the Latin “sincerus,” meaning “clean, pure.” One dictionary defines it as “being without hypocrisy or pretense.” Recently I heard an explanation I like even better: Some claim in the days of antiquity, sincere literally meant “without wax,” from the Latin “sine” (without) and “cera” (wax).
In those days, when pieces of pottery or statues were broken or damaged, they often were patched with wax. Because the wax was transparent, it cleverly concealed any flaws. At least until it was heated and the wax melted. Then it let loose broken pieces it was holding together, or the pottery fell apart entirely. So, when people went to buy fine pottery, or statuary, they insisted it be “sincere” – without wax.
There are many qualities people look for in a business, whether it is where they work, or a company from which they buy products or services. Knowing that the people there are “sincere” would rank high among the traits. In doing business with others, we all probably would like it to be done “without wax.”
Unfortunately, too often we find sincerity absent from the equation. Whether through unsatisfactory employment practices, failure to keep commitments to customers, or delivering less than was promised, many enterprises repeatedly demonstrate lack of sincerity.
Most people do not expect perfect, flawless businesses. Because they are all comprised of imperfect, flawed individuals. However, when we purchase something – whether it be a computer, food products, an automobile, or anything else – we expect promises and assurances to be fulfilled. If someone is hired with the justifiable anticipation of having opportunities to advance within the organization, they should rightfully expect those in authority to be “sincere” in following through if the employee”s performance is satisfactory.
Here are some principles to consider when striving to build an organization or be people “without wax”:
Always striving to be others-oriented . Putting the needs of others ahead of our own is one way to ensure sincerity. “Love must be sincere…. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves” (Romans 12:9-10).
Conducting all business above board. All agreements and transactions should be open, without deception. “A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice”(Proverbs 17:23).
Remaining faithful even in difficult times. Adversity can be revealing, putting sincere relationships to the test. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity”(Proverbs 17:17).
© 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
Would you consider one criteria for trusting in a business, or a business or professional person, as being whether you believe they are sincere? Why or why not? Can you think of a time when you discovered a company, or someone you were working with on a project, was not being sincere? What was the situation – and how did you respond? How do you react to the description or interpretation of sincerity as being “without wax”? Explain your answer. What does it require for a person to remain sincere – to demonstrate being “without wax” in the workplace – when pressures to produce, meet quotas and deadlines, and make a profit are often so intense?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about principles it presents, consider the following passages: Proverbs 4:23, 11:3, 16:2, 20:14; James 2:15-16; James 5:22; 1 Peter 1:22
