Are you a "Role Model" ?

Do you remember, back in school, when the teacher would ask you to say who your role model was, and then follow that up with a writing assignment? Most of time we probably picked an athlete, a movie star, or a politician... Michael Jordan, Brett Favre, Ronald Reagan, Harrison Ford, and Michael Jackson were names that often came up. All of the above were the best in their craft, whether in sports, politics, music or acting, and we have seen the influence all have had on the world.

Have you ever thought that you could also be a role model? We may not be famous but there are people out there that look up to us. Sometimes it is expected, but there are times when it is unexpected. If you are reading this, and happen to be a parent, do you think you are a role model for your children? The answer should be “YES.” A parent, grandparent, old sibling, and even an aunt or an uncle, are looked up to by children all over the globe. Your kids want to be like you, they see what you do, and will try to imitate your actions….maybe not in the present time, but perhaps in the future. So with that said, it is important that parents set a good example and show their children how they should live.

Obviously, a parent is an obvious role model. Let’s look at another side, the business side of life. If you are reading this and happen to be a supervisor for a group of people, do you think you could potentially be a role model for those you lead….again the answer should be “YES.” Especially if you have some seniority and you have been working at a company for years. Those coming in, perhaps right out of school, definitely will look to you to “model the role” for them. You may not know the influence you have on those around you but, my guess is if you fit into this category then you will be able to pick out a time when you have seen someone try to mimic what you do in the workplace. Perhaps you are the CEO of the business, true others in the company cannot physically do the things you do, but never the less you are certainly a role model in how you come into work, the attitude you have, and how you treat others. If you, as the CEO, have a positive attitude and show that you enjoy being there, then that will have a trickle-down effect on the entire organization.

In Tony Dungy’s book, The Mentor Leader, he states that “Regardless of our situations in life, we are always role models for someone – always.” So if you have read this article and you have got to this point, then I have a call to action for you. Watch what you do and what you say, as you never know who may be watching you.

Contact the author at ryank@maxpt.us or visit www.maxpt.us.