Three Final Considerations When Choosing Who Will be Your Role Model
Posted: February 24, 2020
When choosing a role model you are going to face an immediate dichotomy, and it is this: you want to find a role model to help you become better in an area than you are now, but your human tendency will want to be to choose someone just like you. While there is a balance, I think you need to keep an open mind. Should their morals and values be a match, - absolutely. But do keep in mind that the more they are like you, the more comfortable in your current habits and thoughts you will be. Remember - sustainable growth requires the willingness to continue to adapt to change and challenge.
Another consideration is to keep your expectations of them in line. No matter how much admiration you have for the person, they are, in the end, perfectly imperfect. A big part of their success may in fact, be due to how many times they were willing to feel the pain of failure; but keep in mind that with every wrong step they are closer to getting it right. Yes, you have the chance to start on the shoulders of their learning, but you will still need to be willing to endure to get the result you want.
Finally, in the end, respect the relationship. Having a role model provides you the privilege with permission and access to copy their recipe for success. It can save you months, years and decades of failure. Make sure to always honor those relationships. Stay humble, grateful and never forget who you had the chance to model. Whether you paid or were mentored freely, how you treat that relationship gives insight to others about your character, sets you up for future opportunities to enjoy similar relationships and hopefully for you, to one day pay it forward.