Role models are helpful for us. We pick our role models based on successes they have achieved that we desire for ourselves.
Some successful professionals recognize the value of imparting their experience and knowledge to those who want to learn from them, and become “mentors for hire.” I have worked with mentors-for-hire and I offer similar services for others. Professional development groups and mentoring relationships propelled my learning curve and I was able to achieve what I wanted and in shorter time.
Danger lurks in emulating role models, because a bit of a groupie lives in all of us. Some of us let the groupie in us take over.
Some of us go beyond buying all the role models’ books and tapes and follow the role models’ speaking tours. Some of us hold the role models in such high regard, we almost deify them. When this happens, the initial beneficial relationship is replaced by blind devotion. A guru-student relationship ensues, and over time, can become a master-servant relationship.
I can’t say that I’ve gone to the groupie extreme; I am egotistic. I have a handful of traits I admire, reincarnated across many individuals. I admire one for innovating the management field with his ideas (Peter Drucker), another for his ability to foster positive relationships with everyone around him (my father), and another for his ability to treat others with dignity and see the best in everyone (my husband),… to start.
We can find traits we admire in everyone if we look deep enough or if we are patient enough.
I’d rather be a role model in my own right than fawn upon role models whose groupies have made them gurus and rock stars.
Originally published: Dec 17, 2007 @ 6:29
Related: http://janechin.com/teachers-cease-to-be-useful-once-you-elevate-them-to-deity-status
