真正的謙卑
By Robert J. Tamasy
真正的謙卑
你是否曾經遇過真正謙卑的人，特別是那些相當成功卻依然謙卑的人？你能舉出幾個例子來嗎？
最近，我在收聽一個脫口秀的時候，聽到一個評論家在討論謙卑，以及謙卑和一個人的成功有何關聯？其中一個來賓認為謙卑會阻礙一個人成功。他這麼說：「一個人也許對外宣稱自己很謙卑，但是內在卻需要高傲和自私才能成功。」
他的一番話讓我開始懷疑，謙卑和成功是否無法並存？然後，我想起吉姆˙柯林斯(Jim Collins)的經典財經書『從A到A+』描述的第五級領袖，他們所帶領的組織不只是好而是更好。吉姆˙柯林斯(Jim Collins)做了很多研究，他和他的研究小組發現，在頂尖的領袖身上擁有的特質裡，包含了謙虛和”兇猛的決心”(一種非讓公司變好的堅強意志)。
和脫口秀來賓的意見相反，一個能帶領公司好還要更好的領袖不認為自己是每一件事情的重心。相反的，這樣的領袖從未想要成為英雄。他們從未想過要被高舉或是變成一個高不可攀的偶像。
今天的媒體似乎都把焦點放在那些自我本位的企業領袖、運動明星、娛樂界人士或是名人身上。柯林斯書中所提到自制以及謙卑的領袖對這些媒體而言，是沒有市場的。但是，根據箴言，謙卑對有領導能力的人而言，是習以為常的必需品。
一個自我中心的領袖容易招來災難 從歷史來看，一個自我中心的領導者，以自己的野心、驕傲和貪婪來做決定，也因此容易導致最終的失敗。「 驕傲來，羞恥也來；謙遜人卻有智慧。(箴言 11:2). 敗壞之先，人心驕傲；尊榮以前，必有謙卑。」(箴言18章12節).
謙卑的領袖認得自己能力和成就的來源 我們生來都有力量和才能，努力能增強它們，但是天賦卻是是生下來就有的。因此，認識神是能力的來源是成為偉大成功領導者的第一步。「敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨；尊榮以前，必有謙卑。」(箴言15章33節).「敬畏耶和華心存謙卑，就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。」 (箴言22章4節).
謙卑讓領導者尋求、接受、和其他人的意見 一個謙卑的領袖知道自己不是全知全能，因此在做重要的決定時，他們會聽其他人的建議。「你見自以為有智慧的人嗎？愚昧人比他更有指望。」 (箴言26章12節).
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），以及其他書籍。他的雙週部落格網址是：www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
省思／討論題目
你認為真正的謙卑會變成一個人成功的阻礙嗎？分享你的看法。 你是否認識一個真正謙虛的人，不是表面謙卑偽裝出來的？ 在工商業界，一個相當追求成功的職場，為什麼謙卑似乎是一個很罕見的美德？ 一個領袖要如何有效地和基層溝通，不帶有階級的眼光，接受他們的建議和回饋呢？
備註：如果你手上有聖經，希望閱讀更多關於這個主題的經文，請參考：箴言13:10, 16:5,18, 25:27; 路加福音 9:23; 腓立比書 2:3-4
GENUINE HUMILITY – WHAT IT IS, AND ISN'T
By Robert J. Tamasy
Can you think of someone that”s genuinely humble? How about someone who has been extremely successful – and yet humble nonetheless? Does anyone come to mind?
Recently I listened to a talk radio show in which the commentators were discussing humility, and how it relates to a person”s success. One speaker offered his view that humility would hinder a person from succeeding. Someone might project a sense of being humble outwardly, he said, but inwardly the individual must maintain arrogance and extreme self-confidence to become truly successful.
That prompted me to start wondering, is that true? Are humility and success mutually exclusive? Then I remembered the classic business book by Jim Collins, Good to Great, in which he describes what he terms “Level 5 leaders,” people that led organizations that were not merely good, but great. After much research, Collins and his team discovered that among the qualities top leaders possessed, they included both humility and “ferocious resolve, a stoic determination to do whatever needs to be done to make a company great.”
Contrary to the talk-show speaker”s opinion, leaders who guided their companies from good to great did not have to believe they were the central focus of everything that happened. In fact, Collins wrote, “The good-to-great leaders never wanted to become larger-than-life heroes. They never aspired to be put on a pedestal or become unreachable icons. They were seemingly ordinary people quietly producing extraordinary results.” They also were quick to deflect praise, redirecting it to their teams.
How does this happen? Today the media spotlight seems to shine brightest on egotistical corporate leaders, sports figures, entertainers and other celebrities. There does not seem to be much of a “market” for the self-effacing, humble type of leader that Collins described in his book. And yet, according to the book of Proverbs, humility is a prized commodity for anyone holding a leadership capacity:
Leaders that focus on self are flirting with disaster. Throughout history we see examples of self-centered leaders whose decisions were shaped by ambition, pride and greed, leading to their ultimate demise. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2). “Before his downfall a man”s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor” (Proverbs 18:12).
Humble leaders recognize the source of their abilities and accomplishments. We all have innate strengths and abilities; we may have worked hard to develop and refine them, but often the talents were there already. Recognizing God as the source is a big step toward becoming a humble, yet successful leader. “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor” (Proverbs 15:33). “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4).
Humility enables a leader to seek – and receive – counsel and advice from others. The humble leader understands he or she is not all-knowing, so they are very responsive to the input from others regarding important decisions. “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Proverbs 26:12).
© 2017. Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. Bob has written Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; and coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring. His biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Do you think genuine humility can become an obstacle in a person”s quest for success? Explain your answer. Who would you identify as someone who is truly humble, not just someone who projects the appearance of humility when it seems useful to do so? Why is humility seemingly such a rare virtue, particularly in the business and professional world, where so many are determined to do whatever is necessary to succeed? How is it possible for leaders to effectively communicate a willingness to accept input and feedback without compromising their authority in the eyes of those who follow them?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Proverbs 13:10, 16:5,18, 25:27; Luke 9:23; Philippians 2:3-4
