Then all the reindeer loved him as
they shouted out with glee, Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in
history!- Robert L. May
For many
years, the story goes; Montgomery Ward department store in Chicago purchased
and gave away coloring books as a promotional during the Christmas season. In
1939, company executives wanted to do something that would both reduce costs
and be new and different.
To help with
the new project they turned to Robert L. May, a 34-year old Montgomery Ward
copywriter who was known to dabble in children’s limericks and stories. His
creation was a short story written in rhyming verse and differed from the
version known today. The original Rudolph lived in the woods with his loving
parents far from the North Pole.
May’s story
became an immediate success. Montgomery Ward gave away 2.4 million copies of
the story in 1939 and by 1946, despite wartime paper shortages; over 6 million
copies had been distributed. Faced with large medical bills because of his
wife’s battle with cancer, May asked Montgomery Ward officials if he could have
the copyright to Rudolph turned over to him. The company agreed and that same
year the story was published commercially.
May also asked
his brother-in-law, songwriter Johnny Marks, to adapt his basic story idea to
music. When Marks was done, one singer after another, including Bing Crosby,
declined to record the song. Finally, in 1949, Gene Autry accepted and Rudolph
the Red-Nosed Reindeer shot to the top of the charts. Autry’s version is now
the second bestselling Christmas song of all time, surpassed only by Crosby’s
White Christmas.
From the
song Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, come leadership lessons that are still
applicable today. Here are three leadership lessons that will serve you well
regardless of the season.
We all have natural gifts and
abilities
Rudolph was
the object of scorn by the other reindeer who mistakenly thought that because
he was different from the others he didn’t have anything to contribute.
We all come
in different shapes, sizes, and with unique gifts. It is not in the
similarities that we stand out, but in our differences. The gifts and talents
you bring to the table of your business or organization may not look like
anything else in your company, but that is your gift. As you embrace and
celebrate those gifts, others will also come to appreciate what you have to
offer.
We all face opposition
Because his
appearance was different from others around him, Rudolph faced opposition.
There will always be an element of people who will oppose you not based on your
appearance as in the story, but because you have a different perspective, you
have a different attitude, and you bring an optimistic mindset to the challenges
your company faces.
When you
embrace that which causes you to stand out you are on your way to the top.
Others can ridicule you or join you but the choice is theirs. Regardless of the
opposition you face, never surrender your uniqueness to any opposition.
Your moment to shine will eventually
come
It is your
daily faithfulness in the little things that you prove yourself. Even though
Rudolph faced opposition from the others, he didn’t allow their negativity to
defeat him. In the moment of crisis when Santa needed a go-to Reindeer, Rudolph
was ready. Armed with his natural giftedness and positive attitude, he
navigated the team of fellow reindeer to a successful completion of the
Christmas mission.
Your moment
of destiny will come one day and it may not happen the way you expected. Open
your eyes to all the possibilities that your leadership can provide. As you
remain faithful your big moment will come.
This
Christmas season, celebrate your gift as a leader, rise above your opposition,
and stand ready to embrace your destiny. As you do, you will have a greater
understanding of just how special the season can be.
© 2015 Doug
Dickerson
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