Teleworkers need to be independent.  But how often do we find ourselves second-guessing the benefits of that independence?  Sometimes it can be lonely.

I was watching “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” with my kids last night.  The classic 1964 version.  I’ve always been fond of the Abominable Snowman (and it’s a huge relief that “bumbles bounce”).  Santa’s kind of a scrooge.  Mrs. Claus discourages Santa’s recent success with weight loss.  The reindeer form cliques.  And the elves?  They can’t stand career changers.  It’s like their whole world view is in peril when Hermey the elf announces his passion for dentistry.  The head elf tells him  “learn how to wiggle your ears, chuckle warmly, go hee-hee and ho-ho, and important stuff like that.”

Hermey feels sad.  He can’t even win them over with free cleanings.

Rudolph, of course, is in the same boat as Hermey.  Even Santa is appalled by Rudolph’s shiny nose.  And despite his natural gift for flight, Rudolph gets benched for the reindeer games.

Hermey’s orthodontics and Rudolph’s bioluminescence eventually bring them together.

Hermey: Hey, what do you say we both be independent together, huh?
Rudolph: You wouldn’t mind my – red nose?
Hermey: Not if you don’t mind me being a dentist.
Rudolph: It’s a deal.

The two team up and form a misfit alliance.  Kind of like a Christmas sub-culture, emo thing.  It’s a little extreme to say teleworkers are ostracized.  It’s just that computers don’t always talk back, and it’s good to have comrades in the trenches.

What do you think, fellow teleworkers?  How can we be independent together?

images: pumpkinjuice