So why be an Elf in the Digital Age?
At first glance being an Elf seems like a miserable job. Toy Maker Elf: long hours; crude working conditions (North Pole, basic tools and low pay); strict deadlines; and gaudy uniforms.
The chances are promotion are slim. You are just one in a million stocking wearers. Once a toy maker, always a toy maker.
So why do so many Elves sign up? Perhaps it is the comradery: all singing and merriment. Older Elves say its Elvan expectations, “We have been Toy Makers for generations”.
Many Elves say it is because of Santa: all joy, curves, fire red and snow white coats. His leadership, they say, is the sleigh bell. Without the “big man” our morale would sag in the warmer months, toy production would suffer and we would not keep to schedule.
But is Santa’s leadership really that magical? Without Rudolf, Chief of Flight Operations, where would he be on a foggy night? After all Santa’s Global Toy Distribution Inc. has its problems. For one, cash flow is miserable. One deposit, tonnes of milk and cookies. Chimneys not dot.com is our only distribution channel. What about all those R-Suite expenses? Those flying reindeer cost a fortune. What with all their magic dust, private stables and fancy harnesses. It is no wonder Miss Claus, our CFO, has been running us into the red ink for years.
But things are changing. Young Elves have left for the Valley to go work for Easter Bunny. Springtime, single chocolate product line and no “naughty” and “nice” complications. A few have even fled to Tooth Fairy start-up to be part of the magical new sharing economy: fairy dust, kids’ teeth and pillow-con dollars.
So why be an Elf in the Digital age? After extensive North “polling” of Elves, the top seasonal answer is ready to be unwrapped. It is not tradition, leadership or rewards that make Elves work at their best but a sense of greater purpose. A clear sense “why” our work has meaning. We work hard because it brings joy and happiness to others that sense of contribution ignites a passion in ourselves. Perhaps that is a great lesson for us all to ponder at this time of year.
But remember Elf job openings start January.
About the Author
Simon Trevarthen is Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of Elevate Your Greatness (EYG). EYG helps individuals, teams and organizations unpack the secrets of success by becoming even better versions of themselves through dynamic keynotes, seminars and workshops on innovation, inspiration and presentation excellence.
To learn more about Elevate Your Greatness see www.elevateyourgreatness.com
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