from The Tampa Tribune
The benefits of having role models
Published: May 31, 2007
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Role models can be a powerful force for learning and realizing your potential. They're not only important for your career, but for achieving fulfillment in everything you do. You ought to have role models in every stage of your life.
Researchers have concluded that children who have good role models learn to be motivated self-learners. Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge." By introducing children to role models for all aspects of their lives, you are nurturing their imagination.
"Role models are important throughout every stage of your life," says Mick Quinn, former IT developer, headhunter and most recently author of "Power and Grace, the Wisdom of Awakening." "If you're lucky, there are role models from infancy on."
John Agno, an executive coach in Ann Arbor, Mich., says that ideally, role models ought to be mentors. "In our hyper-technical world, people need to relate to people and life, not just bytes, RAM and baud rates. We all need role-model relationships with people who want to see us win in life; someone to talk with when we run into problems and who will stay in touch with us. I call these role models ‘mentors.' When a role model becomes your mentor, you can tap into his wisdom and gain knowledge."
Our role models don't always become our mentors. Typically, role models are people we don't know. Their actions, good works, abilities and admirable traits have elevated them to role-model status. Famous athletes, such as Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong and Tiger Woods, for example, are not only extraordinary role models to other athletes but to career builders in all fields. It's because they are the standard-bearers, the best of the best, and they had to work very hard to earn that distinction. Similarly, Bill Gates is more than a brilliant IT innovator and entrepreneur; he's also one of the world's great philanthropists, which elevates him to a role model on many levels.
In Eastern philosophies, Buddha is considered both a role model and a leader who led by example. He was an exemplary figure, someone others respect and emulate. His simple and humble lifestyle, which was based on giving to and helping others, has served as a model for millions of people over several centuries.
Ideally, you ought to have role models at every turning point in your career. Michael Prencipe, managing director of the Washington-based HR Staffing Solutions, says he's had role models throughout his career who inspired and taught him a great deal.
"As a young recruiter, I worked closely with one of the most successful and experienced recruiters in my company," Prencipe says. "This was a very important relationship to have because I had someone in the trenches with me. He had experience with issues that I was just learning to manage, and he shared his insight with me. He provided motivation, and was even someone to compete with."
Role models ought to inspire and teach you on different levels. Prencipe looked for role models at the top of their game — the biggest producer at his company, for example. "Everyone benefits," he says. "I was motivated to catch up and be like him, and my role model was motivated to stay No. 1."
Essentially, role models are people all around us who we can learn from, adds Sheila J. Siegel, a Los Angeles psychologist. "It could be the person who runs efficient meetings; the person who is tactful or who understands office politics so that he is able to make his point without alienating everyone or putting people on the defensive; the person who is able to see humor in many situations so that he doesn't get upset over little things; the big-picture person who has a global understanding of where things need to go next; or the idea person who comes up with new ways to approach old problems."
Yet role models are just people, Siegel adds. "Like everyone else, they have strengths and weaknesses."
Siegel's advice: "Keep an open mind, become self-aware and pay attention. If you know your own strengths and weaknesses and are open to change, you will find role models everywhere."
