要贏得人生的接力賽,別讓接力棒掉落
2024年4月22日By Robert J. Tamasy
要贏得人生的接力賽,別讓接力棒掉落
TO WIN LIFE'S RELAY RACE, DON'T DROP THE BATON
人們常說,人生不是短跑,而是馬拉松。不像短跑(一場幾乎一開始就結束的比賽)馬拉松是一場漫長且艱辛的賽事,需要堅持(persistence)、毅力(perseverance)、苦痛(pain)和耐心(patience)。然而,最近我意識到,一個真正成功的人生,可能更像是接力賽。
在接力賽中,四名隊員各自跑完比賽的一部分,將接力棒傳遞給下一位跑者,直到所有四人都完成他們的階段。目標是成功地進行棒子交接,並在其他競爭隊伍之前完成。但是,如果接力棒沒有被成功傳遞,無論你跑得多快都沒有用。
即將在法國巴黎舉行的夏季奧運會,凸顯了傳遞接力棒的重要性。在2008年夏季奧運期間,美國男子和女子400公尺接力隊,原本都被看好能夠奪冠。然而,在半決賽中,兩隊的選手都不慎掉落了接力棒,導致他們被取消資格。
這是有趣的軼事,但這與我們在全球工商職場上謀生的人,有何關聯呢?其實很簡單:無論我們是否意識到,我們每個人都承擔著,最終需要傳遞給他人的「接力棒」。
作為一名作家,我寫過關於三個跨世代家族企業的書籍。其中兩家不僅成功存活下來,還在家族的第四代領導下繁榮發展。提供各位參考:不到33%的家族企業能夠存活到第二代;不到15%的能進入到第三代,而只有大約4%的能夠在家族成員的帶領下,達到第四代。那些成功的企業有效地「傳遞了接力棒」,保留了他們最初的願景、使命和價值觀。
即使你不是家族企業的一部分,你依然有一根接力棒需要傳遞。你可能希望在組織內獲得晉升;當機會來臨時考慮換一份工作,或甚至是在思考退休。當你離開時,誰將接管你的工作?如果你是領導階層,理想情況下,他們也將延續你的工作,或者做得更好。這通常被稱為「接班計劃」。我們也可以稱之為「傳遞接力棒」。
思考一下你的家庭。如果你有孩子,你是否希望他們學習並效仿你的個人價值觀,延續家庭傳統,如果你是基督徒,是否希望他們接受同樣的信仰,和你所遵循的原則?你將如何在家中「傳遞接力棒」呢?
在聖經中,我們找到許多「傳遞接力棒」的例子。例如,摩西和約書亞帶領以色列人、以利亞和以利沙作為上帝的先知、耶穌基督和他的門徒。我最喜歡的一個例子是保羅和提摩太。保羅對年輕的提摩太的勉勵,是對實際生活中接力賽和傳遞接力棒的完美描述:「你在許多見證人面前聽見我所教訓的,也要交託那忠心能教導別人的人。」(提摩太後書2章2節)
耶穌也有同樣的想法,在命令他的跟隨者的時候說道「…使萬民作我的門徒…凡我所吩咐你們的,都教訓他們遵守…」(馬太福音28章19-20節)。祂即將離開他們,並且知道祂的使命,只有在他們將接力棒,傳遞給未來世代的信徒時,才會成功。
©2024. Robert J. Tamasy 是企業巔峰:給今日職場從箴言而來永恆的智慧一書的作者。也與導師之心的作者David A. Stoddard 合著Tufting Legacies。編輯多本著作包括Mike Landry. Bob的書:透過苦難成長。
反省與問題討論
第一、無論是在夏季奧運會還是其他田徑比賽中,你有沒有看過接力賽呢?勝利的隊伍必須克服哪些挑戰呢?
第二、從某些方面來看,日常生活和工作確實像是馬拉松。但你是否也認為在其他方面,它也像是接力賽呢?這是通過哪些方式體現出來的呢?
第三、你認為,為什麼家族企業,將接力棒傳遞給下一代這麼困難?
第四、你如何看待在自己家庭中,或者在工作場所,將價值觀、原則、傳統和信仰這些「接力棒」傳遞下去的想法?
挑戰思考
這週花點時間,來思考你在自己的「接力賽」中跑得如何?以及當時機來臨時,你是否準備好「傳遞接力棒」了?思考那些可能接替你領導位置的人。你有在培養任何人嗎?你有接班計劃嗎?如果你離職,會有人接手你的工作嗎-他或她是否已妥善準備好承擔你的職責?最重要的是,你如何將你的信念和價值觀,不僅傳遞給你的孩子,而且希望也能傳遞給未來的幾代人?考慮與一位值得信賴的朋友見面,討論這個問題-並且相互鼓勵。
備註:如果你有聖經,想閱讀更多相關的內容,請參考以下的經文 :
申命記6章4-9節
6:4「以色列啊,你要聽!耶和華我們神是獨一的主。
6:5你要盡心、盡性、盡力愛耶和華你的神。
6:6我今日所吩咐你的話都要記在心上,
6:7也要殷勤教訓你的兒女。無論你坐在家裡,行在路上,躺下,起來,都要談論。
6:8也要繫在手上為記號,戴在額上為經文;
6:9又要寫在你房屋的門框上,並你的城門上。」
提摩太前書1章18-19節
1:18我兒提摩太啊,我照從前指著你的預言,將這命令交託你,叫你因此可以打那美好的仗。
1:19常存信心和無虧的良心。有人丟棄良心,就在真道上如同船破壞了一般。
提摩太後書1章13節
1:13你從我聽的那純正話語的規模,要用在基督耶穌裡的信心和愛心,常常守著。
提摩太後書3章10節、14節
3:10但你已經服從了我的教訓、品行、志向、信心、寬容、愛心、忍耐,
3:14但你所學習的,所確信的,要存在心裡;因為你知道是跟誰學的,
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TO WIN LIFE'S RELAY RACE, DON'T DROP THE BATON
MONDAY MANNAApr 22, 2024
TO WIN LIFE'S RELAY RACE, DON'T DROP THE BATON
By Robert J. Tamasy
It is often said that life is not a sprint, but a marathon. Unlike a sprint – a race that ends almost as quickly as it starts – a marathon is a long, grueling race requiring persistence, perseverance, pain, and patience. However, recently I have realized a truly successful life might more closely resemble a relay race.
In a relay race, four teammates each run part of the event, passing a baton to the next runner until all four have completed their segments. The idea is to successfully make the baton exchanges and finish ahead of the other competing teams. But it makes no difference how fast you run if the baton is not passed.
The upcoming Summer Olympic Games in Paris, France underscores the importance of passing the baton. During the 2008 Summer Olympics, both the U.S. men’s and women’s 4x100-meter relay teams were to win. However, during the semifinals, runners on both teams dropped their batons, disqualifying them.
Interesting anecdote, but how does that relate to those of us earning our daily livelihoods in the global marketplace? Simply this – whether we realize it or not, we all are carrying “batons” that we eventually must pass to someone else.
As an author, I have written books about three multi-generation family companies. Two of these defied the odds by not only surviving but also thriving into their fourth generation of family leadership. For perspective, less than 33 percent of family companies survive to the second generation; less than 15 percent make it to the third generation, and only about 4 percent reach the fourth generation with family members at the helm. Those who succeed have effectively “passed the baton,” preserving their original vision, mission, and values.
Even if you are not part of a family company, you still have a baton to pass. You might be hoping to earn a promotion within your organization; thinking about taking another job when the opportunity arises, or even contemplating retirement. Who will take over your job when you leave? If you are in leadership, ideally, they will carry on your work as well – or better. This is typically called “succession planning.” We could also call it “passing the baton.”
Consider your family. If you have children, do you want them to learn and emulate your personal values, perpetuate family traditions, and if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, embrace the same faith and principles you have lived by? How are you going to “pass the baton” in your home?
In the Bible we find many examples of “passing the baton.” For example, Moses and Joshua leading the Israelites. Elijah and Elisha serving as prophets of God. Jesus Christ and His disciples. One of my favorites is Paul and Timothy. Paul’s exhortation to young Timothy is a perfect verbal description of a real-life relay race and passing the baton: “and the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (Timothy 2:2).
Jesus had the same idea when He commanded His followers to “make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). He was about to leave them and knew His mission would succeed only if they would pass the baton to future generations of believers.
© 2024. Robert J. Tamasy has written Marketplace Ambassadors: CBMC’s Continuing Legacy of Evangelism and Discipleship; Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today’s Workplace; Pursuing Life With a Shepherd’s Heart, coauthored with Ken Johnson; and The Heart of Mentoring, coauthored with David A. Stoddard.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever watched a relay race, during the Summer Olympics or some other track and field event? What are some of the challenges that victorious teams must overcome?
2. In some respects, everyday life and work is indeed like a marathon. But can you see that in other ways, it also can seem like a relay race? In what ways?
3. Why do you think it is so difficult for a family business to succeed in passing the baton to the next generation?
4. What do you think of the idea of “passing the baton” of values, principles, traditions, and faith within your own family? Or in the workplace?
Challenge For This Week
This week take some time to consider how well you are running in your own “relay race” and whether, when the time comes, if you will be prepared to “pass the baton.”
Think about the individuals who may succeed you in leadership. Are you grooming anyone? Do you have a succession plan? What about the person who would be taking over your job if you were to leave – would he or she be properly prepared to assume your responsibilities? And most important, what are you doing to pass along your beliefs and values not only to your children, but hopefully, also to future generations?
Consider meeting with a trusted friend to discuss this – and to provide mutual encouragement.
NOTE:
For more about what the Bible says, consider the following passages:
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, 33:44-47; 1 Timothy 1:18-19; 2 Timothy 1:13, 3:10,14
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