2007-4-9
願景驅使我們行動

若無那些有願景的偉大人物，我們會如何？今天我們認為開車是理所當然的，但不到100年前，大部份的人都想像不到會有自行驅動的交通工具。我現在正用電腦寫這篇專欄，但我還記得，早年我在新聞界時，手動打字機被認為是一項藝術。最近我動了一個成功的心臟手術，這樣的技術與科技在20年前還是不可能的。

今天每一樣讓我們生活舒適、享受和方便的發明，都是來自有願景的人。他們發現有需要、有問題時，就主動回應，透過極大的決心、堅忍、嘗試和錯誤，最後終於有了我們今天受惠的發明。

例如，過去這一年，我很榮幸認識一些為地毯業帶來革命性改變的人。在1950年以前，地毯非常昂貴，只有富裕的家庭才買得起。但因為這些人的願景、想像力和巧思，地毯現在可以大量製造，而且有無數的樣式、顏色和織法，使地毯變得便宜且適合家庭、辦公室、旅館、購物商場、學校和餐廳使用。

然而，願景並不是少數精英的專利品。當你每天去工作，你個人的願景就決定你工作上的效率，以及你長期事業和整個人生的成功與否。若你擔任領袖，你的願景不僅影響你部屬的生產力，也影響他們是否有熱忱和能力，以團隊合作的方式去完成一個共同的使命。

在「領導是門藝術」一書中，傢俱製造公司的主管麥克斯．第培瑞解釋願景的重要性：「沒有願景的人常常努力去尋找希望。一個組織若不顧現實狀況，可能可以勉強運作一段時間，但絕不會成功。一個組織若無願景，就只是一個組織，只能勉強生存，而不是真正地活著；只能達到短暫的目標，而不是邁向潛在的可能性。」

聖經是本古老的書，卻奇妙地適合現代，是日常生活與工作的好指南。它對願景也有深刻的觀察：

對一個社會和企業而言，願景可能攸關生死。一個清楚表達的願景，提供人們思考和行動的方向。若沒有願景，就產生困惑與混亂。「沒有異象，民就放肆」（箴言29章18節）。另一種翻譯是：「沒有啟示，人民就沒有自制力。」

領袖的願景促進團結。當領袖說出願景，就設定每個人主動權的範圍，並使大家對使命有共識，提供焦點給跟隨者。若無願景，每個人就去做他們認為對的事。「那時以色列中沒有王，各人任意而行」（士師記21章25節）。

願景提供保障與次序。願景幫助我們回答以下問題：「為何我們走到這裡？」「我們在做什麼？」當人們每天來上班時，他們想知道自己應該做什麼。為了公司整體的益處，他們可以如何成功地貢獻。若沒有澄清這些事，領袖和公司都會失敗。「邦國因有罪過，君王就多更換；因有聰明知識的人，國必長存」（箴言28章2節）。

思想 / 討論題目
1. 對你的生命而言，你認為那一件（或兩件）事是最重要的創作、革新或發現？你認為「有願景的人」如何使你有這樣的發展？


2. 你的公司是否鼓勵並培養願景？請解釋。

若是，請舉一例說明你如何看到願景被付諸行動。
若否，你是否認為缺乏願景阻礙了你們公司的進步？


3. 你認為自己是否是一個有願景的人？為什麼？


4. 你認為一個人或一個組織可以如何發展願景，去激發別人的熱忱，使他們為共同的目標行動？


註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
創世記1章26-30節；創世記41章41-57節；出埃及記18章5-26節；馬太福音28章19-20節

MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
April 9, 2007

WE NEED VISION TO MOBILIZE US INTO ACTION

By: Robert J. Tamasy

Where would we be without the great people of vision? Today we take automobiles for granted, but little more than 100 years ago, self-propelled vehicles were far beyond the imaginations of most people. I’m using a computer to write this column, but I can recall – in my early days of journalism – when the manual typewriter was still considered “state of the art.” Recently I underwent successful heart surgery that involved techniques and technology that were impossible only 20 years ago.

Each of the innovations that today make our lives so comfortable, enjoyable and convenient came about because people of vision recognized and responded to needs and problems they have observed and, through great determination, perseverance, trial and error, ultimately arrived at solutions that we benefit from today.

Over the past year, for example, I have had the privilege of getting acquainted with some men that have revolutionized the carpet industry. Prior to the 1950s, indoor carpet was extremely expensive and available only to the most affluent individuals and families. But because of the vision, imagination and mechanical ingenuity of these men, carpet now can be mass-produced in countless styles, colors and textures, making it economical and suitable for homes, offices, hotels and motels, shopping malls, schools, and restaurants.

Vision, however, is not exclusive to some elite minority. As you go to work each day, your personal vision helps to determine your effectiveness in your job, as well as success in your career long-term and your life overall. If you hold a position of leadership, your vision will influence not only the productivity of your staff, but also affect their enthusiasm and ability to work together as a team in accomplishing a common mission.

In Leadership Is An Art, furniture manufacturing company executive Max DePree explains the importance of vision: “People without vision constantly struggle to find hope. Organizations without a view of reality may stumble along for a while but will never succeed. Organizations without a vision remain mere organizations, surviving but not living, hitting temporary targets but not moving toward potential.”

The Bible, an amazingly contemporary guide for everyday life and work, also gives observations about vision:

Vision can become a matter of life and death, for a society as well as for a business. An expressed, clearly articulated vision provides people with direction for their actions and their ideas. Without vision, confusion and chaos result. “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18). Another translation states, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint….”

A leader’s vision fosters corporate unity. As leaders communicate their vision, this defines boundaries for individual initiative and brings about a common sense of mission, providing focus for those who follow them. Without it, everyone tends to do whatever seems right in their own eyes. “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit” (Judges 21:25).

Vision provides security and order. Vision helps to answer questions like, “Why are we here?” and “What are we doing?” When people arrive for work every day, they want to know what is expected of them and how they can successfully contribute to the overall good of the company. Without such clarity, leaders – and their organizations – often fail. “When a country is rebellious, it has many rulers, but a man of understanding and knowledge maintains order” (Proverbs 28:2).

Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit corporation based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. 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).

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Reflection/Discussion Questions

1. What do you consider the one or two most significant inventions, innovations or discoveries to your life? How do you think that “people of vision” contributed to bringing about these developments?





2. Is your place of business somewhere that vision is encouraged and nurtured? Explain your answer.


If so, give an example of how you have seen vision in action. If not, do you believe a lack of vision has hindered the progress of your organization?






3. Do you regard yourself as a person of vision? Why or why not?





4. How do you think a person – or an organization – can develop a sense of vision that mobilizes others and stimulates enthusiasm for their collective goals and objectives?






NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to review some other passages that relate to this topic, consider how the following verses convey vision:

Genesis 1:26-30; Genesis 41:41-57; Exodus 18:5-26; Matthew 28:19-20