願景的力量
By: Robert J. Tamasy
我曾經為兩家公司出書，這兩家公司在他們各自的行業裡都非常傑出。當我更認識這兩個企業的領袖後，我發現他們有一個共同點－－雖然這兩家公司的性質完全不同，但他們的相同之處在於都有一個非常清楚的使命感、願景和價值觀。
雖然這兩家企業用不同的方式表達他們的理念，他們還是有一個獨特的共同點：他們不期待員工、顧客和供應商去記得那些方針，以為他們「知道」那些理念。他們把使命和基本價值觀清楚地寫下來，並在公司各個醒目的地方展示出來。
其中一家公司是交通業的重要企業。他們的目標是讓所提供的服務要「超過客戶所期待」。他們的願景宣言是「被客戶和同業視為高品質且關心客戶的標準」。
另一個公司是製造商。他們的使命宣言是想成為「全世界首選的供應商」。對於致力於高品質，他們則宣稱「每一次都提供無瑕疵的產品和準時的服務」。這個使命宣言指出業主的終極焦點：工作全是為了榮耀上帝。
當我為了收集出書資料而做訪問時，發現員工都清楚地了解那些宣言。他們明白這些原則是他們每天工作的基礎。而這兩家公司都被評鑑為他們行業中頂尖的公司，且被員工、客戶、供應商，甚至競爭者所尊敬。這並不是巧合。
有人說在設定目標時，有三個問題很有幫助：我們要去哪裡？我們如何去？我們如何知道已經到達？因此，若有一個領導團隊彼此合作，定出了使命、願景和價值觀，讓相關的每一方都無誤地了解他們被要求去做的事，他們為何做且如何做那些事，這需要極大的智慧。
聖經直接談到這個議題，舊約聖經宣稱：「沒有異象，民就放肆；惟遵守律法的，便為有福」（箴言29章18節）。另一種翻譯是：「沒有啟示，人們就無法無天，任意而行，但遵守律法的人是有福的。」換句話說，願景（異象）告訴人們，他們要去哪裡，所期望他們的是什麼。人們若了解這些，他們就能活出期待。
願景提供方向。當人們對領袖有信心，只要告訴他們應該走哪條路就可以。「耶和華對亞伯蘭說：你要離開本地、本族、父家，往我所要指示你的地去…亞伯蘭將他妻子撒萊和姪兒羅得，連他們在哈蘭所積蓄的財物、所得的人口，都帶往迦南地去。他們就到了迦南地」（創世記12章1-5節）。
願景提供目標。員工不僅需要知道他們公司提供什麼產品或服務，他們也要知道他們將共同完成什麼。這樣才能帶出最大的果效。「所以，你們要去，使萬民作我的門徒，奉父、子、聖靈的名給他們施洗。凡我所吩咐你們的，都教訓他們遵守」（馬太福音28章19-20節）。
願景讓人知道自己的身份。誰是你的僱主？他在你們公司的角色是什麼？願景幫助他們了解他們的角色。「你們就必得著能力…作我的見證」（使徒行傳1章8節）。
勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的交通部副部長，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38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：啟發人們將其潛能發揮到極至的10個原則」（The Heart of Mentoring: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential）。要了解更多資訊, 可上網www.leaderslegacy.com 或上他的部落格www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com 。
思想 / 討論題目
你的公司是否有清楚的使命、願景和價值宣言？若是，這些宣言是否被運用到每天的工作中？或者只被放在抽屜裡而被遺忘？ 若你的企業沒有這些書面原則，你認為清楚地說出來是否有用？若你被指派去定出這些宣言，你會如何表達你們公司的使命、願景和價值觀？ 你認為若沒有使命和價值宣言，或沒有加以強調，會有何後果？ 在公司使命、願景和價值觀的形成過程中，上帝和聖經的原則應扮演什麼角色？
註：若你有聖經且想要看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
創世記11章1-3節，12章33-42節；約書亞記1章1-9節；尼希米記2章11-18節；箴言22章6節；提摩太後書2章2節
THE POWER OF A CLEAR VISION
By: Robert J. Tamasy
I have been working on book projects for two companies that are prominent in their respective industries. In getting acquainted with the leaders of both organizations, I have discovered a common thread – even though their enterprises are totally different. That commonality is a very clear sense of mission, vision and values.
Although the businesses have expressed these ideas in different ways, they share another distinctive: Instead than expecting employees, customers and vendors to remember the guiding principles, presuming they “know” them, their missions and other foundational values have been articulated in writing and prominently displayed in various locations throughout their facilities.
One corporation, a key player in the transportation industry, declares its goal to provide service that “exceeds expectations of our customers.” In a vision statement, it adds its intent “to be viewed by our customers and peers as the standard of quality and customer care….”
The other company – a manufacturer – declares in its mission statement the desire to be the “supplier of choice throughout the world.” In a separate statement of its commitment to the highest quality, it asserts it will “provide defect-free products and services on time, every time.” This declaration of mission concludes by pointing to the owners” ultimate focus: to perform its work “All to the Glory of God.”
As I have conducted interviews to gather information for the books, it has become evident the staffs are acutely aware of these statements. They understand these principles are intended to serve as a basis for their approach to daily responsibilities. It is not a coincidence that both of these companies are ranked at or near the top of their industries and held in high regard by employees, clients, suppliers – and even competitors.
It has been said that in setting goals, three questions is helpful: “Where are we going?” “How are we going to get there?” “How will we know when we have arrived?” For this reason, there is tremendous wisdom in having a leadership team collaborate to formulate statements of mission, vision and values to ensure that all parties involved have an unambiguous understanding of what they are required to do, why they are doing it, and how.
The Bible speaks directly to this issue. In the Old Testament it declares, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Another translation of the same passage states, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” In other words, vision helps to tell people where they are headed and what is expected of them. Armed with this understanding, they can live up to expectations.
Vision provides direction. When people have confidence in their leader, they only need to be told the way they should go. “The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your country, your people and your father”s household and go to the land I will show you…they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there” (Genesis 12:1-5).
Vision gives purpose. To be most effective, workers need to know not only what product or service their company provides, but also what they will accomplish together. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Vision offers identity. Who are your employers, in terms of their role in your organization? Vision helps them to understand their roles. “But you will receive power…and you will be my witnesses…” (Acts 1:8).
Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. A veteran of more than 38 years in professional journalism, he is the author of 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: 10 Proven Principles for Developing People to Their Fullest Potential (NavPress). For more information, see www.leaderslegacy.com or his blog, www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Does your company have clearly articulated statements of mission, vision and/or values? If so, are these statements actively utilized in the conduct of everyday business or are they typically filed away in a drawer and forgotten? If your business does not have such principles expressed in writing, do you think a process to verbalize them clearly and concretely would be useful? If the task were assigned to you, how would you express your company”s mission, vision and values? What are the consequences, in your opinion, of not having and giving prominence to such statements of mission and vision? What role, if any, do you think God and biblical principles should play in the formulation of a corporation”s mission, vision and values?NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review additional passages that relate to this topic, consider the following verses:
Genesis 11:1-3, 12:33-42; Joshua 1:1-9; Nehemiah 2:11-18; Proverbs 22:6; 2 Timothy 2:2
