Friday, March 29, 2024

Vine Media

葡萄樹傳媒

言行一致

By: Robert J. Tamasy

過去兩年裡,我有機會可以寫一些書,內容是關於兩間公司,如何制定公司的使命宣言、對未來的異象和他們希望對員工的期望。他們的使命宣言不只是紙上的文字而已,也是他們團隊裡普遍認同的價值觀。這兩家公司都已經傳給家中的第四代了,真的非常不容易。

當我跟另一個朋友提起在公司裡帶入使命的觀念時,他表達了不願意和懷疑。因為他太常遇到一些企業訴說他們如何地想活出所擁護的價值觀,但卻不斷的失敗。即便是將使命的觀念公開佈達,它還是常常成為牆上裝飾用的壁紙。

我沒有和我的朋友爭辯,因為我的確觀察到有這種現象。即便是講的最有道理的使命宣言,到最後也是要去實行。有人就這樣說過:「如果你不能將所說的話付諸行動,那就少講一點。」

如果你是首席的執行長,或許你會遇到這樣的挑戰:你們公司的使命是什麼?你所領導的團隊和員工知道這個使命嗎?即便你是個中級主管也是必須知道什麼是使命?我這樣說好了,假設是應用在個人上,你可以問自己說: 你個人生命的使命是什麼?或是你的呼召是什麼?

很多人從未思考過這樣的問題,但這不代表它們不重要。事實上當我們有一天停下手邊的工作,問自己說:「我們做的如何?」或是「我做的如何?」時,使命就是來用來檢視自己的職場和個人生命進程時的最佳解答。如果你還沒有找到自己的使命,以下有來自聖經的一些建議可以幫助你:

第一、明白你是為誰而做? 你工作純粹是要達成個人的目標嗎?為了達到這個目標你願意付出相等的努力嗎?就像是品管委員會會留意你在企業裡面如何與其他人互動關係,也許是和你的上司、同儕、顧客或是供應商並且做出評價。「無論做甚麼,都要從心裏做,像是給主做的,不是給人做的,因你們知道從主那裏必得著基業為賞賜;你們所事奉的乃是主基督。」(歌羅西書3章23-24節)

第二、永遠將他人擺在第一位。今天許多企業為了省成本,縮編客服的部分。但是願意再次消費的顧客是那些被重視的客人。「所以,無論何事,你們願意人怎樣待你們,你們也要怎樣待人,因為這就是律法和先知的道理。」(馬太福音7章12節)

第三、在服務的時候養成謙卑的態度。當人知道你將他們的最大的利益放在心上,他們就會不自覺地信任你,相信你的判斷和建議。「凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。各人不要單顧自己的事,也要顧別人的事。」(腓立比書2章3-4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。他也是一個有40年經驗的退休新聞工作者。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)。要了解更多資訊, 可上網www.leaderslegacy.com 或上他的部落格www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com以及www.bobtamasy.wordpress.com 。

省思 / 討論題目
你的公司有使命宣言嗎?如果有,它對公司的營運上有哪些重要性? 你否遇到過無法達成使命的公司?如果有,是否會影響你去選擇其他的競爭對手或是選擇用其他的方式呢? 那你有個人的使命宣言嗎?如果沒有,你是否會想擁有一個呢? 在聖經中說到: 「像是給主做的,不是給人做的? 」你同意嗎?解釋一下原因。備註: 如果你手上有聖經,想了解更多有關於這個主題的經文,請參閱:詩篇139章13-16節;箴言22章29節、27章18節;以弗所書2章10節;提摩太後書3章16-17節

ALIGNING ACTIONS WITH WORDS
By Robert J. Tamasy

Over the past several years I have had the privilege of writing books about two companies with well thought-out, clearly articulated mission statements. They communicate corporate goals, their vision for the future, and values they desire for all of their employees to embrace. These are not just words on paper, but principles and precepts reviewed regularly with their teams. It is no coincidence, I believe, both of these organizations have reached the fourth generation of family ownership, an extremely rare feat.

When I told a friend about the value of drafting a mission statement for his own company, he expressed reluctance and a bit of skepticism. Too often, he has encountered businesses with lofty-sounding mission statements that consistently fail to live up to the values and principles they espouse. Even if the mission statements are displayed publicly, he said, they amount to little more than wall decorations.

I did not argue with my friend because, unfortunately, I have sometimes observed the same thing. Even the most eloquently crafted mission statement means nothing without the commitment to live up to it. As someone has said, “If your actions do not speak louder than your words, the less you say the better!”

If you are a top executive, you might receive this as a challenge: What is the true mission of your company? Do your leadership team and employees know and understand this mission? What steps have you taken to ensure that everyone is striving to live up to and carry out your mission statement? Even if you are not a high-ranking leader, the concept of a mission statement applies to you. For instance, what would you say is your own mission in life? Stated another way, what is your purpose – why are you here? Is it merely to fulfill your personal desires, or is there a higher, greater calling on your life?

Many people have never considered such questions, but that does not mean they are not valid. In fact, when we stop rushing through our days long enough to evaluate our professional and personal progress, a mission statement can be invaluable for answering questions like, “How are we doing?” or “How am I doing?” If you wonder how to even draft a mission statement, here are some helpful suggestions from the ancient manual for the workplace – the Bible:

Know who you are working for. Are you working just to achieve your own goals? Are you willing to give it enough effort only as long as you feel you are progressing toward those goals? A commitment to quality and excellence will elevate your standing in the eyes of those you interact with in business, whether superiors, peers, customers or suppliers. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men…. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).

Always put customers/others first. Today many businesses are downgrading customer service to save costs. But one way to ensure return business is for customers to feel valued and well cared-for. “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you…” (Matthew 7:12).

Cultivate an attitude of humility in service. When a person senses you have their best interests at heart, they cannot help but trust you and feel they can rely on your judgment and recommendations. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).

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.

Reflection/Discussion Questions
Does your company have a mission statement? If so, what importance does it receive in terms of how the organization is run? Have you encountered companies that fail to live up to their statements of mission or values? If so, does this have any impact on people outside the company that have the option of dealing with it or a competitor? How about a personal mission statement – do you have one? If not, what do you think you would want it to say? One of the suggested Bible passages states that when we work, we should regard ourselves ultimately as working for God, not for people. Do you agree? Why or why not?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Psalm 139:13-16; Proverbs 22:29, 27:18; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17

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