聖經中我最喜歡的其中一卷書是箴言，當中有一節經文總是跳出來提醒我：「沒有異象（或譯：默示），民就放肆；」（箴言29章18節a）。當箴言談到「異象」時，它意味著先知帶來的信息。但是我認為這個原則不僅限於舊約先知所說的。無論身在何處，人都需要激動人心的願景，才能離開今天的現實進入明天。

 我們需要想像，並去想像未來的可能。想像力可以作為盼望的肥料。有能力的領導者需要創造出組織的異象。人需要看到一副引人入勝的圖像，並且自己身在其中，然後才能做到最好。正如商人兼作家艾文．托夫勒（Alvin Toffler）所說：「在做小事時，你要思想著大事，以至於所有的小事都朝著正確的方向發展。」這對於任何類型與規模的組織都適用。

「我們是甚麼樣的組織？」「我們打算做什麼？」「我們正在瞄準什麼目標？」這些都是領導人很難回答的問題。這也從一個對教會小組做播客節目（podcast）的意見反饋中可以發現，一位留言者評論說：「你的小組若是沒有方向就會行動緩慢、自鳴得意甚至甜蜜的死亡。」任何企業或非營利組織也是如此。

彼得．卜洛克（Peter Block）在他的一本書中寫道：「一個人的異象不是路線圖，而是指南針。」也許我可以幫助你指出正確的方向，為你所帶領的人制定出組織異象：  

詢問「倘若…」的問題。你夢想中的影響力是什麼？花一些時間和關鍵人士腦力激盪解答這類的問題。「倘若」你的夢想和理想實現了，會產生什麼影響？

倘若你訂定了一個啟動業務或組織傳承給下一代的異象，會是如何？當我們周遭許多人都在極度掙扎的時候，倘若你的公司看向超過追求單純獲利，那異象會是如何？倘若你發出聲量去合作或是接觸其他三、四個社群團體，為了更大的益處而把他們集中在一起時，那異象又會如何？

製造一些順勢的風。我在其他地方寫過「尾風」（tailwind）的概念。（從飛行器尾部來的風會讓飛行更加順利）也就是這代表你需要一些對你有助益的動能。你有順風的跡象嗎？也許是團隊增加了關鍵的人力？又或者你有想追求的新異象和使命？你如何把自己放在順勢的風之前？你有其他的助力或是其他形式的動能來幫助你正確的回答「倘若…」的問題嗎？你如何找出這些助力？

讓異象變得明確。舊約中有一位先知叫哈巴谷（Habakkuk），他從上帝那裡得到了異象，以及如何使用它的指示：「他對我說：將這默示明明地寫在版上，使讀的人容易讀（或譯：隨跑隨讀）」（哈巴谷書2章2節）。大多數的狀況下，你帶領的人必須經由學習，才能擁有異象。所以，請用清晰易懂，並且容易記憶的方式經常溝通。  

常常領導者對異象在自己腦中很清楚，但不知為何，總是無法把異象傳達給周圍的人。請把你腦中的異象清楚地傳遞給其他人。這種鼓舞人心的轉移很可能會興起一場迅速高漲的巨浪，並在你身邊的增加許多動能。喬納森．斯威夫特（Jonathan Swift）說：「所謂的異象是一門藝術，就是能看到別人未見的事物。」作為領導者，你必須要把異象從自己的腦中拿出來，並傳遞到你所帶領人的內心深處。  

史帝芬R.格里夫氏博士(Dr. Stephen R. Graves)把自己描述為組織戰略家、實用神學家和社會資本家。他為高級主管、企業主以及年輕企業家提供諮詢服務。同時也是眾多書籍、文章的作者，和一位大眾演說家。他的網站是www.stephenrgraves.com。

反省與問題討論

1. 你如何定義異象？擁有異象對你個人來說有甚麼意義？
2. 組織異象是什麼意思？你的公司或組織現在有清楚的異象嗎？解釋你的答案。
3. 領導者不僅要擁有清楚的異象，也要能夠有效地與他人溝通，這點你認為重要嗎？請說明原因。
4. 根據你的經驗，當人們被介紹一個新的異象，開始接受並實施時，會發生什麼樣的狀況？信仰對組織異象的發展和執行有扮演什麼角色嗎？上帝應該參與嗎？請解釋你的答案。

備註：如果你手上有聖經，想閱讀更多與主題相關的經文，請參考（因經文篇幅較長，請參閱未列出的經文，箴言29:19、路加福音10:2 ）：

詩篇74篇9節
74:9 我們不見我們的標幟，不再有先知；我們內中也沒有人知道這災禍要到幾時呢！
箴言16章3、9節
16:3 你所做的，要交託耶和華，你所謀的，就必成立。
16:9 人心籌算自己的道路；惟耶和華指引他的腳步。
箴言19章21節
19:21人心多有計謀；惟有耶和華的籌算才能立定。
箴言20章24節
20:24 人的腳步為耶和華所定；人豈能明白自己的路呢？
馬太福音9章37-38節
9:37 於是對門徒說：「要收的莊稼多，做工的人少。
9:38 所以，你們當求莊稼的主打發工人出去收他的莊稼。」
約翰福音13章12-17節
13:12 耶穌洗完了他們的腳，就穿上衣服，又坐下，對他們說：「我向你們所做的，你們明白嗎？
13:13 你們稱呼我夫子，稱呼我主，你們說的不錯，我本來是。
13:14 我是你們的主，你們的夫子，尚且洗你們的腳，你們也當彼此洗腳。
13:15 我給你們作了榜樣，叫你們照著我向你們所做的去做。
13:16 我實實在在地告訴你們，僕人不能大於主人，差人也不能大於差他的人。
13:17 你們既知道這事，若是去行就有福了。

WANTED: ORGANIZATIONAL VISION

By Stephen R. Graves

One of my favorite books in the Bible is the book of Proverbs, and one verse always stands out for me: “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). When Proverbs speaks of “vision,” it means the kind of message a prophet brings. But I think this principle is not limited to Old Testament prophets. People, wherever they are, need a compelling vision to move past today’s reality into tomorrow.

We need to imagine; to imagine what could be. Imagination can serve as the fertilizer of hope. Effective leaders need to create an organizational vision. People need to see a compelling picture of what they are working toward before they can do their best work. As businessman and writer Alvin Toffler said, “You’ve got to think about big things while you’re doing small things so that all the small things go in the right direction.” This is true for organizations of all types and sizes.

Who are we as organization? What are we about? What are we aiming to do? These are hard questions for leaders to answer, as feedback to a podcast on church small groups demonstrated. One writer commented, “Your small group is destined to die a slow, complacent, even cordial death without direction.” The same can be true for any business or non-profit.

In one of his books, author Peter Block wrote, “One’s vision is not a road map, but a compass.” Perhaps I can help point you in the right direction for crafting an organizational vision for your people:

Ask the “What if” question. What is the impact you dream of having? Spend some time with your key people brainstorming an answer to this question. What would be the effect of realizing your dreams and aspirations? “What if”?

What if you formulated a driving vision for passing on your business or organization to the next generation? In times when many around us are struggling mightily, what if your company looked beyond pure profits? What if it became a voice for collaboration and reached out to three or four other entities in the communities, even pooling resources for the greater good?

Create some tailwinds. I have written about the concept of “tailwinds” elsewhere, but basically it means you need some momentum working in your favor. Do you have signs of any tailwinds? Maybe a few key additions to your team? A new vision for the work – the mission – you want to pursue? How do you position yourself in front of those tailwinds? Are there other tailwinds, other forms of momentum, that you need to properly answering your “what if” question? How do you chase those down?

Make the vision clear. One of the Old Testament prophets, a man named Habakkuk, received a vision from God and instructions on how to use it: “Write down this vision; clearly inscribe it on tablets so one may easily read it” (Habakkuk 2:2). Most of the time, your people must learn it to own it. So, communicate it regularly – and in clearly understood, memorable ways.

Leaders often are clear in their own minds about the vision, but for some reason fail to impart it to those around them. Get the vision clear in your head and then transfer it to others. That kind of inspirational transfer could very well create a groundswell, a growing movement around you. Jonathan Swift said, “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” As a leader, you must get the vision out of your head and into the hearts of your people.

Dr. Stephen R. Graves describes himself as an organizational strategist, pragmatic theologian, and social capitalist. He advises executives and business owners, as well as young entrepreneurs. He is author of numerous books and many articles, and a public speaker. His website is www.stephenrgraves.com.

Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. How would you define “vision”? What does having vision mean to you personally?
2. What does it mean to have an organizational vision? Does your company or organization have a clear vision right now? Explain your answer.
3. Why do you think it is important not only for the leader to possess a clear sense of vision, but also to be able to effectively communicate it to others?
4. From your experience, when people are introduced to a new vision and then begin to accept and implement it, what happens? Is there a role for faith in the development and carrying out of organizational vision? Should God be permitted to participate? Why or why not?

NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages: Psalm 74:9; Proverbs 16:3,9, 19:21, 20:24; 29:19; Matthew 9:37-38; Luke 10:2; John 13:12-17