商場領袖的三個P ──THE 3 P’s OF BUSINESS AUTHORITY
前通用磨坊食品公司的高階主管馬可．貝爾頓（Marc Belton）在接受採訪時，談到了商場地位的三個P：Perk（津貼）、Privilege（特權）和Power（權力）。他的觀察非常有洞見，很能引起我的共鳴。我想簡述他所說的重點。首先是第一個P：津貼，因著職位或成就得到的額外利益。
我年輕時在銀行工作，曾向貸款委員會提出一個鄉村俱樂部的貸款申請。當時銀行的執行長對這項新業務非常興奮，甚至向會議室中的每個人宣布，銀行應該買這個鄉村俱樂部的會員證給我！然而，嫉妒的情緒蔓延到整個銀行。不久之後，我的上司反而為自己爭得了鄉村俱樂部的會員證，而當初要給我的「津貼（perk）」也被大幅更動，變得沒什麼吸引力。所以我決定放棄這種「機會」。
聖經中加拉太書5章26節有一段經文警告我們說：「不要貪圖虛名，彼此惹氣，互相嫉妒。」作為雇主，我們應該謹慎看待自己給某些員工的津貼。無論我們原意如何，這些好處都可能在團隊中帶來嫉妒和衝突。
貝爾頓提出的第二個P是Privilege（特權）：隨著領袖在組織中的地位上升，他們的職位常會給予他們更多的特權。可能是彈性的時間運用、使用公司的座車或得到與具影響力領袖特別的會面機會。
這些特權可能會讓人心高氣傲，誘使人進入道德和倫理上的失誤。例如，他們有權決定採取任何必要的措施來保留和增加這些特權。甚至，有些特權對擁有者來說很「正常」，其他人卻可能會認為是浪費、不必要的奢侈。
聖經教導我們說：「驕傲來，羞恥也來；謙遜人卻有智慧。」（箴言11章2節）。辛勤工作獲得額外的特權作為報酬也許令人敬佩，但我們要小心，特權是我們的榮譽而不會帶來羞恥的後果。
貝爾頓的第三個P是權力（Power）。使用或濫用權力有很多種表現的形式，貝爾頓舉的例子是：工會多年來一直在衰敗。很多人認為，主要因素就是某些工會領袖和官員濫用權力的結果。
幾年前，我有個朋友參加了工會會議，希望聽取並參與可能停工的討論。一名工會成員站起來想要抗議罷工，當時他希望能說幾句話，但在開口之前，兩名大漢就立刻把這個反對者帶離了房間。他們這麼做很明顯地顯示，不希望再有「討論」。
聖經的另一段經文談到了這種商業行為：「敬畏耶和華在乎恨惡邪惡；那驕傲、狂妄，並惡道，以及乖謬的口，都為我所恨惡。」（箴言8章13節）商業上的成功通常會帶來增加權力的機會。權力可以用在許多有益的地方，但也有可能被濫用。我們應該意識到權力的誘惑，不讓它把我們帶往驕傲和自大。
© 2020版權所有非傳統商業網路(前身為純全資源中心)。節錄自和Rick Boxx的純全時刻，這本刊 物主要是從基督徒的角度來探討職場上正直這個主題。如果希望知道更多關於這個事工或是想訂閱每日純全時刻，請上這個網站: www.unconventionalbusiness.org. Rick Boxx最新出版的書「提供 用五個關鍵的神的方法來建立企業。」
反省與問題討論
- 你或組織中的高階人員曾得到過甚麼「津貼」——額外的好處嗎？你認為它們恰當嗎？你看到過這些福利帶來的負面影響嗎？你認為要如何避免這種狀況？
- 你在自己工作的場所或其他環境中，看過甚麼樣的「特權」？將這些特權給某些人有什麼好處？反過來講，只給某些人而不是其他人這些特權，有哪些潛在的陷阱？你認為應該要如何適當的管理特權？
- 在你自己工作的場所或其他環境中，看過甚麼樣的「權力」被使用？從你的觀點，有哪些權力被適當的使用？ 或被濫用?
- 你認為津貼、特權和權力不僅可以用來幫助、提升公司中的特定個人，也可以挑戰和鼓勵那些不一定有資格獲得這種好處的人嗎？
備註：如果你手上有聖經，想要閱讀更多經文，請參考以下內容：
箴言3章27-28節
3:27 你手若有行善的力量，不可推辭，就當向那應得的人施行。
3:28 你那裏若有現成的，不可對鄰舍說：去吧，明天再來，我必給你。
箴言11章25節
11:25 好施捨的，必得豐裕；滋潤人的，必得滋潤。
箴言22章29節
22:29 你看見辦事殷勤的人嗎？他必站在君王面前，必不站在下賤人面前。
馬可福音10章45節
10:45 因為人子來，並不是要受人的服事，乃是要服事人，並且要捨命作多人的贖價。」
馬可福音12章30-31節
12:30 你要盡心、盡性、盡意、盡力愛主─你的 神。』
12:31 其次就是說：『要愛人如己。』再沒有比這兩條誡命更大的了。」
路加福音6章31節
6:31 你們願意人怎樣待你們，你們也要怎樣待人。
約翰福音15章13節
15:13 人為朋友捨命，人的愛心沒有比這個大的。
腓立比書2章3-4節
2:3 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。
2:4 各人不要單顧自己的事，也要顧別人的事。
THE 3 P’s OF BUSINESS AUTHORITY
By Rick Boxx
A former executive of the General Mills food company, Marc Belton, talked in an interview about what he called the “three P’s” of business status: Perks, Privilege, and Power. His observations were very insightful, and I could relate with much of what he said. I would like to summarize his points, beginning with Perks – extra benefits received due to position and achievements.
As a young banker, I once presented a loan request from a country club to our loan committee. The CEO of the bank was so excited that I was bringing in this new business, he announced to everyone in the room that the bank should buy me a membership to this country club! Envy spread throughout the bank, however. Soon afterward, some of my superiors had negotiated country club memberships for themselves, and my original “perk” was significantly modified to make it less attractive. I decided to forgo this “opportunity.”
A passage in the Bible, Galatians 5:26, warns, “Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” As employers, we should be cautious about what perks we offer to certain employees. Whether we intend it or not, these can bring envy and conflict within the team.
Another point Belton made was that as leaders rise through the ranks of an organization, their positions often afford them with more Privilege. Maybe this takes the form of additional freedom in how they spend their time, the availability of company cars, or exclusive invitations to meet with influential leaders.
These privileges can allow pride to surface in the individuals who receive them, which can set the stage for moral and ethical failure. For instance, they could determine to do whatever is necessary to retain and add to those privileges. In addition, what becomes “normal” to someone of privilege, might be viewed by others as wasteful, unnecessary extravagance.
The Bible teaches, “When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2). Gaining added privilege as a reward for hard work can be admirable, but we would be advised to be careful that pride in our privilege does not lead us into dishonor.
Belton’s third point regarded Power. The uses and abuses of power are manifested in many ways, but he cited as an example the fact that labor unions have been in decline for many years. Many believe that one contributing factor has been the power some union leaders and officials have abused and misused.
Years ago, a friend of mine attended a union meeting, expecting to listen to and perhaps participate in a discussion of a potential work stoppage. One union member stood up to protest the strike. However, before he could voice more than a few words, two large men immediately escorted this dissenter from the room. This action made it clear there would be no more “discussion.”
Another passage from the Scriptures addresses this type of business behavior: “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate” (Proverbs 8:13). Success in business usually brings with it the opportunity for increased power. This power can be used in many beneficial ways, but it also can be misdirected. We should be aware of this temptation and not to allow power to lead to pride and arrogance.
© 2020, Unconventional Business Network 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, visit www.unconventionalbusiness.org. His latest book, Unconventional Business, provides “Five Keys to Growing a Business God’s Way.”
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- What “perks” – extra benefits – have been offered to you, or to others in positions of influence within your organization? Do you think they are appropriate? Have you seen negative effects that they have generated? How do you think those can be avoided?
- How have you seen “privilege” being demonstrated, either at your own workplace or in other environments? What are the positive benefits of extending those to certain individuals? Again, what are some of the potential pitfalls of providing privileges to some, and not to others? How should this be properly managed, in your opinion?
- What are some ways that you have seen “power” utilized in the marketplace? In what ways have you seen it used well – properly, in your view? How have you seen it abused?
- How do you think the realities of perks, privilege and power can help to advance not only specific individuals within a company, but also to challenge and encourage those who do not necessarily qualify for such benefits?
OTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:
Proverbs 3:27-28, 11:25, 22:29; Mark 10:45, 12:30-31; Luke 6:31; John 15:13; Philippians 2:3-4
