若我能重新來過

第一件我想改變的事是，若有可能，我不會投資時間與金錢去獲得企業管理碩士學位。是的，我的企管碩士學位是我第一份工作的「踏腳石」。它提供了一個好的人際網絡。這學位也給我信心。但這就像經典電影「綠野仙蹤」中給稻草人信心的文憑。稻草人其實不需要那文憑，他只是以為自己需要。

許多工商界領袖認為企管碩士學位是在職場成功的先決條件，但在我尋求企管碩士學位時，我學到許多事並不相關－或甚至不真實。

我不是盧德份子－－抗拒進步或改變的人。我只是試著實際一點。在我每天尋求基本真相的過程中，我總是努力尋找真正行得通的事。時間與經驗已讓我學到在讀企管碩士所得到的大部份「知識」都行不通。讓我舉出一個案例：財務。

當我還是學生時，我們企管碩士的口頭禪是：「商業的功能是在法律及道德的約束下追求最大利益。」我學到這句話，也相信它，而且遵循它。

在那過程中，我成為許多不同組織的首腦。我有「玩具」，也就是因為把獲利作為公司最優先的事而來的物質回報。我變得富裕，超乎我想像的富裕。然而，當我繼續「在法律及道德的約束下追求最大利益」，完全吸收這理論，我變得會操縱、利用人。在我醒悟之時，我已破壞了許多人際關係，而且在那過程中，我幾乎失去我的婚姻。

我並非想要責備任何拿到企管碩士學位的人，但我太了解那些學術訓練的課程會扭曲一個人的目標和價值觀。後來我就轉而擁抱比企管碩士學位更好的東西。什麼會比企管碩士學位更好呢？那就是來自聖經的唯一真實、實用、基本的真理。

聖經也談論到許多有關財務的事。事實上，聖經談論財務的篇幅比天堂和地獄還多！在二十多年來我一直努力研讀聖經，並且發現聖經比 1000 位企管碩士能提供更多真理和實際的每天生活──包括21世紀的職場──的方針。

新約對學習並應用神話語的價值有這樣的結論：「聖經都是　神所默示的，於教訓、督責、使人歸正、教導人學義都是有益的，叫屬　神的人得以完全，預備行各樣的善事」（提摩太後書3章16-17節）。

我對工商界人士的最好建議是每天讀上帝的話語。若你以誠懇、誠實並敞開的心讀聖經，你會對聖經向你生活以及你工作所說的話感到希奇。無疑地，聖經會改變生命。

肯恩．寇克住在美國內布拉斯加州的Omaha市，在那裡他擔任CBMC的區域總幹事。本篇文章改編自他每週寫的「生活傳真」專欄。我們獲得允許轉載。

One of the first things I would change, if I could, would be not investing the time and money that I did in getting my MBA. Yes, my Master in Business Administration degree was a “stepping stone” to my first job. Yes, it provided a good network of relationships. And yes, the degree gave me confidence. But it was similar to the diploma that gave the scarecrow confidence in the classic film, “The Wizard of Oz.” He did not really need it – he only believed that he did.

In my pursuit of the MBA, which many business leaders consider a prerequisite to success in the work world, I learned many things that just were not pertinent – or even true.

No, I am not a Luddite – one of those people that resist progress or change. I just try to be realistic and practical. In my everyday search for bottom-line truth, I have always strived to find what really works. And time and experience have taught me that most of the “knowledge” acquired during the quest for an MBA does not work. Let me give you a case in point: finances.

While I was a student, our MBA mantra was: "The function of business is to maximize profits within legal and ethical constraints." I learned that, believed it, and adhered to each word.

In the process I became the head of several different organizations. I had the “toys,” the material rewards that come from making profits the top priority in your company. I became wealthy, beyond anything I could have imagined. However, as I continued this quest to “maximize profits within legal and ethical constraints,” swallowing that philosophy completely, I became a manipulating “people user.” I left a trail of broken relationships in my wake, and nearly lost my marriage in the process.

I am not trying to condemn everyone that has earned an MBA, but I understand too well how that course of academic training can skew a person”s goals and values. I have since come to embrace something far better than an MBA. What is better than an MBA? It is the realistic, practical, bottom-line truth that comes from only one source: the Bible.

You see, the Bible talks a lot about finances, too. In fact, it says more about finances than it talks about heaven and hell! For more than two decades I have become a diligent student of the Bible and have concluded it holds more truth, more practical guidance for everyday living – including the workplace of the 21st century – than 1,000 MBAs could even hope to offer.

The New Testament summarizes the value of learning and applying the Word of God: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man (and woman) of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

My best advice for business and professional people is to study God’s Word every day. If you do this with sincerity and an honest, open heart, you will be amazed at what it has to say about your life – and your work. Without question, it is life-changing.

Ken Korkow lives in Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A., where he serves as an area director for CBMC. This is adapted from the “Fax of Life” column that he writes each week. Used with permission.