週一嗎哪
服事全球工商界
2007.6.4
領袖都到哪去了？
艾科卡是一位非常卓越的執行長，他曾經成功地拯救了汽車製造商克萊斯勒。最近他寫了一本書「領袖都到哪去了？」我尚未閱讀這本書，但這書名確實提出了一個有趣的問題－－領袖都到哪去了？
若你要20個人定義或描述優秀的領導，你可能會得到20個非常不同的觀點。對有些人而言，領導就是完全控制屬下所做的事。有的領袖喜歡「微管理」，堅持要知道並管理發生在周遭每件事的細節。有的領袖則比較願意放手，授權給屬下。
對所有領袖而言，雖然沒有一種領導方式是理想的，但我們還是要談論授權給屬下的領袖。以下是中國哲學家老子所寫道德經中的一段話：
「太上，不知有之；其次，親而譽之；其次，畏之；其次，侮之。功成事遂，百姓皆謂：「我自然。」
（最佳領袖，讓人民幾乎感覺不到他的存在；次好領袖，會讓人民尊崇讚揚；再次一等，讓人民害怕；再次一等，讓人民痛恨。當領袖把事情做完後，人們會說：「這是我們做的。」）
有趣的是，這同樣的原則也出現在聖經中，但是以一種稍微不同的方式說出：「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）。
在我作生意的初期，我有一個經理堅持定期與一位員工一起工作。對有些領袖而言，這種行為是自貶身份。他們說：「領袖只要下命令，屬下就去做。」但對我那經理而言，這是他為屬下設立典範的方式。他說：「我絕不要任何人去做我也不願做的事。」而且，我發現他說到做到。他謙卑地認為別人與他一樣平等，即使他們擔任較不重要的角色。而且我們感受到他將我們的利益擺在第一位。
不幸的是，我很少看到其他領袖有和他一樣的態度。大部份的領袖都太了解自己擁有權力、高人一等的地位，他們怕我們忘記這一點，所以常常提醒屬下自己的「優越」。然而這不是領導，而是自我中心，且有時是濫用權力。
以下是聖經對領導的另外兩項觀察：
領袖隨時都知道跟隨者的需要。為了有最佳表現，員工的基本需要必須被滿足－－適當的薪資與合適的工作環境，對複雜的工作提供足夠的支援，領袖清楚的溝通，敏銳於員工所面臨的個人問題。「你要詳細知道你羊群的景況，留心料理你的牛群…羊羔之毛，是為你做衣服；山羊是為作田地的價值」（箴言27章23-26節）。
在動盪的時刻，領袖提供穩定。當領袖軟弱，跟隨者會困惑，且會導致混亂。當領袖沒有發揮功能，任何人都能擔任這角色。一位堅強的領袖會清楚說明公司的方向與目標，如此跟隨者才能支持，並對這共同的使命作出貢獻。「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. 你如何定義或描述好的領袖？
2. 在你共事過的人中，誰是最佳領袖？
3. 現今的世代很少有領袖會藉著關心跟隨者的最佳利益，去真正地激勵鼓舞跟隨者。你同意這論點嗎？為什麼？
4. 現今的市場有許多的不確定，領袖能作什麼去鼓舞人們信任自己與自己的公司？
註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言10章9節，11章17節，15章33節，24章5-6節，26章16節，29章4節
CBMC
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net
MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
June 4, 2007
WHERE HAVE ALL THE LEADERS GONE?
By: Robert J. Tamasy
Lee Iacocca, an extremely high-profile executive that was credited with salvaging the automobile manufacturer then known as the Chrysler Corporation, has recently written a book called “Where Have All the Leaders Gone?” I have not read the book, but the title does raise an interesting question – where have all the leaders gone?
If you were to gather 20 people in a room and ask them to define or describe good leadership, you probably would get 20 very different points of view. For some, leadership means completely controlling what subordinates do. Other leaders like to micro-manage, insisting on knowing and managing every detail of what’s going on around them. Others prefer a more hands-off, delegative approach.
While there is not one particular style that is ideal for all leaders, there is something to be said about the leader who empowers those that work for him or her. Consider, for instance, this statement from the ancient Tao Te Ching, written by the Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu:
“But as for the best leaders, the people hardly notice their existence, the next best the people honor and praise, the next the people fear, the next the people hate. But when the best leader’s work is done, the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’”
Interestingly, this same principle is presented in the Bible, but stated in a somewhat different way. Philippians 2:3,4 tells us, “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.”
Early in my business career, I had a manager that insisted on working alongside each of his employees on a regular basis. For some leaders, such a gesture would seem demeaning. “The leader gives the orders, others do the work,” they might say. But for Joe, the manager, it was his way of setting an example for those reporting to him: “I never ask anyone to do anything that I am not willing to do,” he explained. And as I observed, he meant what he said. In humility, Joe regarded others as equal to himself, even if they held less important roles, and we sensed that he kept our best interests foremost.
Since then, unfortunately, I have encountered relatively few leaders that have shared this same attitude. The majority of them have been too aware of their exalted positions of authority and, lest we forget, made sure to remind their subordinates frequently of their “superiority.” This is not leadership, however, but self-centeredness and sometimes, abuse of authority.
Here are two other related observations from the Bible about leadership:
Leaders maintain awareness of their followers’ needs. To perform to maximum effectiveness, employees must have basic needs met – adequate compensation, suitable working environment, sufficient assistance for complex projects, clear communication from leadership, and sensitivity to personal issues they may be confronting. “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds…the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field” (Proverbs 27:23-26).
Leaders provide stability in turbulent times. When leadership is weak, confusion results and can lead to chaos. When there is a leadership vacuum, anyone can step in. A strong leader clarifies the company’s direction and goals, so those who follow can support and contribute to the corporate mission. “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).
CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Web site: http://www.cbmcint.org/
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. How would you define or describe a good leader?
2. Who is/was the best leader you have ever been associated with? What were some of the qualities that made that person an effective leader?
3. Do you agree with the contention that there are relatively few contemporary leaders that truly motivate and inspire by demonstrating that they keep in mind the best interests of those that follow them? Why or why not?
4. With all of the uncertainties of today’s marketplace, what can leaders do to inspire confidence and trust in themselves and their organizations?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages that concern this topic, turn to the following passages:
Proverbs 10:9, 11:17, 15:33, 24:5-6, 28:16, 29:4
服事全球工商界
2007.6.4
領袖都到哪去了？
艾科卡是一位非常卓越的執行長，他曾經成功地拯救了汽車製造商克萊斯勒。最近他寫了一本書「領袖都到哪去了？」我尚未閱讀這本書，但這書名確實提出了一個有趣的問題－－領袖都到哪去了？
若你要20個人定義或描述優秀的領導，你可能會得到20個非常不同的觀點。對有些人而言，領導就是完全控制屬下所做的事。有的領袖喜歡「微管理」，堅持要知道並管理發生在周遭每件事的細節。有的領袖則比較願意放手，授權給屬下。
對所有領袖而言，雖然沒有一種領導方式是理想的，但我們還是要談論授權給屬下的領袖。以下是中國哲學家老子所寫道德經中的一段話：
「太上，不知有之；其次，親而譽之；其次，畏之；其次，侮之。功成事遂，百姓皆謂：「我自然。」
（最佳領袖，讓人民幾乎感覺不到他的存在；次好領袖，會讓人民尊崇讚揚；再次一等，讓人民害怕；再次一等，讓人民痛恨。當領袖把事情做完後，人們會說：「這是我們做的。」）
有趣的是，這同樣的原則也出現在聖經中，但是以一種稍微不同的方式說出：「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）。
在我作生意的初期，我有一個經理堅持定期與一位員工一起工作。對有些領袖而言，這種行為是自貶身份。他們說：「領袖只要下命令，屬下就去做。」但對我那經理而言，這是他為屬下設立典範的方式。他說：「我絕不要任何人去做我也不願做的事。」而且，我發現他說到做到。他謙卑地認為別人與他一樣平等，即使他們擔任較不重要的角色。而且我們感受到他將我們的利益擺在第一位。
不幸的是，我很少看到其他領袖有和他一樣的態度。大部份的領袖都太了解自己擁有權力、高人一等的地位，他們怕我們忘記這一點，所以常常提醒屬下自己的「優越」。然而這不是領導，而是自我中心，且有時是濫用權力。
以下是聖經對領導的另外兩項觀察：
領袖隨時都知道跟隨者的需要。為了有最佳表現，員工的基本需要必須被滿足－－適當的薪資與合適的工作環境，對複雜的工作提供足夠的支援，領袖清楚的溝通，敏銳於員工所面臨的個人問題。「你要詳細知道你羊群的景況，留心料理你的牛群…羊羔之毛，是為你做衣服；山羊是為作田地的價值」（箴言27章23-26節）。
在動盪的時刻，領袖提供穩定。當領袖軟弱，跟隨者會困惑，且會導致混亂。當領袖沒有發揮功能，任何人都能擔任這角色。一位堅強的領袖會清楚說明公司的方向與目標，如此跟隨者才能支持，並對這共同的使命作出貢獻。「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. 你如何定義或描述好的領袖？
2. 在你共事過的人中，誰是最佳領袖？
3. 現今的世代很少有領袖會藉著關心跟隨者的最佳利益，去真正地激勵鼓舞跟隨者。你同意這論點嗎？為什麼？
4. 現今的市場有許多的不確定，領袖能作什麼去鼓舞人們信任自己與自己的公司？
註：若你有聖經請看有關此主題的其他經文，請看：
箴言10章9節，11章17節，15章33節，24章5-6節，26章16節，29章4節
CBMC
台灣台北市104松江路22號7樓
TEL：886-2-2581-4937 FAX：886-2-2542-4169
E-Mail：cbmc@ms26.hinet.net
MONDAY MANNA
A service to the business community
June 4, 2007
WHERE HAVE ALL THE LEADERS GONE?
By: Robert J. Tamasy
Lee Iacocca, an extremely high-profile executive that was credited with salvaging the automobile manufacturer then known as the Chrysler Corporation, has recently written a book called “Where Have All the Leaders Gone?” I have not read the book, but the title does raise an interesting question – where have all the leaders gone?
If you were to gather 20 people in a room and ask them to define or describe good leadership, you probably would get 20 very different points of view. For some, leadership means completely controlling what subordinates do. Other leaders like to micro-manage, insisting on knowing and managing every detail of what’s going on around them. Others prefer a more hands-off, delegative approach.
While there is not one particular style that is ideal for all leaders, there is something to be said about the leader who empowers those that work for him or her. Consider, for instance, this statement from the ancient Tao Te Ching, written by the Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu:
“But as for the best leaders, the people hardly notice their existence, the next best the people honor and praise, the next the people fear, the next the people hate. But when the best leader’s work is done, the people say, ‘We did it ourselves.’”
Interestingly, this same principle is presented in the Bible, but stated in a somewhat different way. Philippians 2:3,4 tells us, “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.”
Early in my business career, I had a manager that insisted on working alongside each of his employees on a regular basis. For some leaders, such a gesture would seem demeaning. “The leader gives the orders, others do the work,” they might say. But for Joe, the manager, it was his way of setting an example for those reporting to him: “I never ask anyone to do anything that I am not willing to do,” he explained. And as I observed, he meant what he said. In humility, Joe regarded others as equal to himself, even if they held less important roles, and we sensed that he kept our best interests foremost.
Since then, unfortunately, I have encountered relatively few leaders that have shared this same attitude. The majority of them have been too aware of their exalted positions of authority and, lest we forget, made sure to remind their subordinates frequently of their “superiority.” This is not leadership, however, but self-centeredness and sometimes, abuse of authority.
Here are two other related observations from the Bible about leadership:
Leaders maintain awareness of their followers’ needs. To perform to maximum effectiveness, employees must have basic needs met – adequate compensation, suitable working environment, sufficient assistance for complex projects, clear communication from leadership, and sensitivity to personal issues they may be confronting. “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds…the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field” (Proverbs 27:23-26).
Leaders provide stability in turbulent times. When leadership is weak, confusion results and can lead to chaos. When there is a leadership vacuum, anyone can step in. A strong leader clarifies the company’s direction and goals, so those who follow can support and contribute to the corporate mission. “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).
CBMC INTERNATIONAL: Robert Milligan, President
1065 N. 115th Street, Suite 210 ▪ Omaha, Nebraska 68154 ▪ U.S.A.
TEL.: (402) 431-0002 ▪ FAX: (402) 431-1749 ▪ E-MAIL: nbrownell@cbmcint.org
Web site: http://www.cbmcint.org/
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. How would you define or describe a good leader?
2. Who is/was the best leader you have ever been associated with? What were some of the qualities that made that person an effective leader?
3. Do you agree with the contention that there are relatively few contemporary leaders that truly motivate and inspire by demonstrating that they keep in mind the best interests of those that follow them? Why or why not?
4. With all of the uncertainties of today’s marketplace, what can leaders do to inspire confidence and trust in themselves and their organizations?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to consider some other passages that concern this topic, turn to the following passages:
Proverbs 10:9, 11:17, 15:33, 24:5-6, 28:16, 29:4
posted by Shine Lin at 10:24 PM
