解決商業的衝突和爭議
By Rick Boxx
這幾年來，我有特別的恩典(也是挑戰)，來調停幾個商業夥伴之間的紛爭。在大部分的案子裡，尋找解決方案不是一件容易的事情，但是卻是必要的。當其中一方開始以某種方式輕視對方時，夥伴關係很快就惡化了。
紛爭的原因很多，但經常是因為溝通破裂，雙方彼此指責，以致於走上法律途徑。原本美好的夥伴關係以及對彼此很高的期待也因為一個微小不重要的事情被催毀。
這就是為什麼小心處理問題是必要的。在調停的過程中，證明你是對的不是最終的目的，相反的，我們需要思考如何有效率的找出雙贏的解決方案。
耶穌對他的門徒談到自己觀察到的人際衝突，以及如何解決。他勸門徒說: 「你同告你的對頭還在路上，就趕緊與他和息，恐怕他把你送給審判官，審判官交付衙役，你就下在監裏了。」(馬太福音5章25節)
這段經文有兩個重點。第一、辨認衝突點，大事化小，小事化無。不要小題大作。
第二、盡可能地，在進法院之前把事情解決。原因如下:
法律的爭執是相當耗費精神的和時間的。 法官的決定可能是很主觀的。 法院的決定經常忽略了關係和情緒的層面。 神的智慧和治癒的能力可能在官司的過程當中被排除
雖然我們承認，有時候上法庭是無法避免的，但是不願意找調停人斡旋，找出解決的方法，這是很不幸的。因為一旦進入司法程序，彼此都會有受傷的感覺，無法維持曾經美好的夥伴關係的可能性很高。因此，如果你和合夥人有衝突，請找一個你們兩個人都很信任有智慧的中間人，來幫助你們很快地解決問題。﹕
使徒保羅寫信給古代哥林多教會一群有爭議的基督徒，勸他們說：「你們中間有彼此相爭的事，怎敢在不義的人面前求審，不在聖徒面前求審呢？豈不知聖徒要審判世界嗎？若世界為你們所審，難道你們不配審判這最小的事嗎？豈不知我們要審判天使嗎？何況今生的事呢？既是這樣，你們若有今生的事當審判，是派教會所輕看的人審判嗎？我說這話是要叫你們羞恥。難道你們中間沒有一個智慧人能審斷弟兄們的事嗎？」(哥林多前書6章1-5節)
本文版權為正直資源中心（Integrity Resource Center, Inc.）所有。本文獲得授權改編自瑞克．博克思的正直時刻Integrity Moments with Rich Boxx。這系列的文章是以一個基督徒的觀點評論職場的正直議題。更多相關訊息請上www.integrityresource.org。瑞克的新書「非典型企業」(Unconventional Business)提供了五個用神的方式來使企業成長的關鍵。
省思與問題討論
你是否曾經有和人發生衝突，卻無法透過和對方商談來解決問題的狀況呢？你覺得是甚麼問題造成這種狀況？ 你是否經歷過有雙方有爭執但願意找調停人來解決衝突？結果如何？ 你是否同意，有可能的話，在告上法官或是法院之前，就能夠把問題解決是最好的？請分享你的理由。 你覺得為什麼很多人在發生衝突的時候，不願意去思考或是接受調解，而是執意要採取法律途徑？
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：馬太福音6章14-15節；哥林多前書6章6-11節；以弗所書4章29-32節；歌羅西書3章12-14節
RESOLVING BUSINESS CONFLICTS AND DISPUTES
By Rick Boxx
Over the years, I have the privilege – and challenge – of mediating in several disputes between business partners. In most cases, seeking to resolve them is not pretty nor easy, but very necessary. When someone begins to feel slighted by their partner in some way, the relationship can turn ugly quickly.
These disputes can result from many factors, but commonly they are spawned by breakdowns in communication. As accusations of “he said,” “she said, “they said” escalate, the threat of lawsuits can begin to soar. Partnerships formed with the best of intentions and greatest of expectations can be destroyed because of a single event – and often, unnecessarily.
This is why addressing and working through the problem with care is essential. In the mediation process, proving your position was right should not be the ultimate goal; instead, we need consider how to most effectively work toward a reasonable resolution, one that could be a “win-win” for everyone involved.
Speaking to His followers, Jesus made specific observations about interpersonal conflict and how it should be resolved. For instance, He admonished, "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge…" (Matthew 5:25).
There are two key principles cited here. First, recognize areas of conflict and resolve them before small problems escalate and turn into major causes of strife. Today we call this “making a mountain out of a molehill.”
Jesus” second point was to avoid, whenever possible, having to take a dispute to a judge and a courtroom to be settled. Reasons for this are many:
Legal disputes can be costly; Decisions made by judges can seem arbitrary; Courtroom outcomes usually fail to resolve the relational and emotional issues involved; The great resources of God”s wisdom and healing power can be excluded from the process.
Admittedly, sometimes taking a matter to court is unavoidable. One or more parties may be unwilling to turn to a mediator, or an arbitrator, to allow them to work toward acceptable resolutions. However, that is unfortunate because while it may result in a legal judgment, the likelihood of injured feelings and inability to sustain once-enjoyable business relationships is extremely high. If you're in a conflict with a partner, secure a wise and rational third party, whom you both trust, to help you settle the matter quickly.
The apostle Paul, writing to a group of contentious Christians in the ancient city of Corinth, urged, “If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord”s people? Or do you not know that the Lord”s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?…” (1 Corinthians 6:1-5).
Copyright 2017, Integrity Resource Center, Inc. Adapted with permission from "Integrity Moments with Rick Boxx," a commentary on issues of integrity in the workplace from a Christian perspective. To learn more about Integrity Resource Center or to sign up for Rick”s daily Integrity Moments, visit www.integrityresource.org. His new book, Unconventional Business, provides “Five Keys to Growing a Business God”s Way.”
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Were you ever involved in a conflict or dispute that could not be resolved simply by the persons involved talking through the issue? What were the factors that made successful resolution difficult in that scenario? Have you experienced circumstances in which parties were willing to turn to a meditator to resolve their conflict? If so, what was the outcome? Do you agree that, whenever possible, it is always preferable to settle disputes before they have to go before a judge or a courtroom, possibly involving a jury? Why or why not? Why do you think many people are unwilling to consider or accept mediation as an alternative for settling conflict, and instead insist on taking legal action to settle matters?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Matthew 6:14-15; 1 Corinthians 6:6-11; Ephesians 4:29-32; Colossians 3:12-14
