OK, I admit it. I love classic Christmas TV movies; Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964) is one of my favorites. Yes, I do realize the title of this blog will likely make most of you think I’ve been enjoying too much mulled wine.

I have been writing a lot about work-life balance and work values these past few years and believe we all tend to underestimate the role of our loved ones in our career success. Their role is tremendous because they help build our self-efficacy, inspire us, and support us.

Santa, quite frankly, receives far too much credit in Rudolph’s career success. In the story of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Santa was merely the employer who effectively leveraged his employee’s talent to make his overall operation successful. “Rudolph, with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” Santa was using a staffing strategy based on task competence. This is what employers do (and should be doing) with their human talent.

Clarice, on the other hand, was the source of efficacy-building, inspiration and support. She was the one who really made Rudolph successful, even at the onset of Rudolph’s career. You might remember Rudolph’s fabulous leap at the reindeer games while he exclaimed, “She says I’m cute.” (Not really the support I meant, but she did inspire his performance.) Perhaps the better illustration is when Clarice sang, “There’s Always Tomorrow” to motivate him after a bad day of reindeer games. How often do your loved ones do the exact same for you? Their role is critical for your success.

Don’t we all appreciate the loved ones in our lives who support us, motivate us, and help build our efficacy? I know I do.

So the next time you watch Rudolph, raise a glass of eggnog to Clarice.

Enjoy the holidays,

Paula