職場中的勇氣

然而大多數的高成就者，就是那些在他們所努力之領域留下無法抹滅痕跡的人，他們展現不尋常的勇氣──願意逆流而上，挑戰現況，在沒人保證成功之時仍然冒險走向未知的境界。

腦中立刻想到比爾蓋茲和賈伯斯的例子，他們預先看見電腦的用途和能力，是他們同儕從未夢想過的。我們有經典發明家的範例如愛迪生，在發明電燈泡的過程中，他不怕挫折，他認為每一個失敗代表向成功更進一步。

這 樣的勇氣是從何處而來？有時是來自需要。一位朋友蓋瑞辛苦地做著一份低工資的時薪工作，他無法滿足他想要提供給家人的事物。他沒有認命地接受自己的狀況， 或怪別人造成自己的苦境。蓋瑞做了一個廣泛的個人進深計劃，獲得他所需要的工具和技巧，成為一個成功的銷售經理。今天他也勸別人採取相同的勇敢步驟。他的 生命成為一個由來已久的聖經原則活生生的例子：「勞力人的胃口使他勞力，因為他的口腹催逼他」（箴言16章26節）。

勇氣──願意踏出熟悉、確定、可靠的範圍──也可來自其他的來源：

表明立場的勇氣。當你對一個信念或原則有非常強烈的感覺，就有勇氣讓你不妥協。儘管有人反對，可能你還是相信改變策略是必要的。或者雖然有壓力，你還是認為改變是錯誤的。傚法這個榜樣：「以薩迦支派，有二百族長都通達時務，知道以色列人所當行的」（歷代志上12章32節）。

雖有危險仍然進行的勇氣。向前邁進，或進行重大改變，都可能有相當的風險。但若你感受到上帝引導你向前走，你就保證有勇氣大膽地行動。「我豈沒有吩咐你嗎？你當剛強壯膽！不要懼怕，也不要驚惶；因為你無論往哪裡去，耶和華─你的　神必與你同在」（約書亞記1章9節）。

堅忍的勇氣。當沒有達到目標或不如期待，很容易會放棄。在這種時候，有勇氣堅持，仍然專注於目標是重要的。「我們行善，不可喪志；若不灰心，到了時候就要收成」（加拉太書6章9節）。

按照信念行動的勇氣。工商專業界可能會是一個沒有道德觀的環境，被「情境倫理」所支配──只要達成交易就好。需要有勇氣才能維持行為與做法的高標準。「你們務要堅固，不可搖動，常常竭力多做主工；因為知道，你們的勞苦在主裡面不是徒然的」（哥林多前書15章58節）。

Yet most high achievers, those that have left indelible marks in their areas of endeavor, have been ones that exhibited uncommon courage – willing to swim against the current, to challenge the status quo, to venture into the unknown with no guarantees of success.

The examples of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs immediately come to mind, individuals that envisioned uses and capabilities for computers that their peers never dreamed of being possible. We have the classic example of inventors like Thomas Edison, who is said to have remained undaunted by setbacks in his quest to invent the light bulb, convinced that each failure represented one step closer to success.

Where does such courage come from? Sometimes it comes from necessity. A friend, Gary, was mired in a low-paying, hourly wage job unable to satisfy the desires he had for his family. Instead of accepting his circumstances or blaming others for his plight, Gary implemented an extensive personal improvement project, acquiring the tools and skills he needed to become a successful sales executive. Today he urges others to take similar steps of courage. His life has become a living example of a time-honored biblical principle: 「The laborer’s appetite works for him; his hunger drives him on」 (Proverbs 16:26).

Courage – willingness to step beyond the confines of the familiar, established and dependable – can come from other sources as well:

Courage to take a stand. When you feel strongly enough about a belief or principle, courage demands that you not compromise. Perhaps you believe a change in strategy is necessary, despite opposition. Or maybe you think change would be wrong, regardless of pressures to do so. Follow the example of 「…the men of Issachar, who understood the times and knew what Israel should do」 (1 Chronicles 12:32).

Courage to proceed despite danger. Moving forward, or instituting major changes, can involve considerable risk. But if you sense God is directing you to move forward, acting boldly with courage is warranted. 「Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:9).

Courage to persevere. When goals are not met or expectations fall short, it can be easy to give up. At such times, the courage to persist, to remain focuses on the objective, is essential. 「Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up」 (Galatians 6:9).

Courage to act on convictions. The business and professional world can be an amoral environment, ruled by 「situational ethics」 – whatever it takes to close the deal. It requires courage to stay true to high standards of behavior and practice. 「…Stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain」 (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit organization based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran journalist, he has written Tufting Legacies (iUniverse); Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today』s Workplace (River City Press); and has coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring (NavPress). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or his blogs, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com and www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com.