Learning lessons from everyday role models

This is a guest post.

Introduction to the everyday role model

Over the course of my studies I was finding myself struggling to find direction; it felt as if I was drifting through my studies with no options available at the end of the line. This feeling did not begin to turn around until I made the decision to open myself up to colleagues at work and tutors in study; as a result I began to look deeper in to their plans for the future.

When I opened up to colleagues conversations became more serious in nature but still felt comfortable as I knew I was taking new steps to learning. This course of action encouraged me to take any available opportunity for self improvement and be engaging in the face of a challenge. This practice resulted in my undertaking of activities including driving lessons, Taijitsu classes, re-energizing the social charity committee at my place of part time work and interviewing peers on their development in aid of my BA project (which in turn inspired this article).

Sharing details about our lives with one other was both pleasant and enlightening. From reflecting on this I came to the conclusion that role models don’t have to be magnificent success stories and inspiration can come from the simple but moving characters we encounter in work, at study or anywhere else. Organizations are rarely more interesting than their people.

Many people live by their life goals; people pursue their career or their hobbies as their way of life. Ambitious people seek ambitious life goals. Inspiration can be found from many sources for those who are willing to accept learning from the examples of others. Everyday role models are people above, level or even below you within your field whose actions and insights inspire you to better yourself.

These role models can be people in situations similar to yourself or in situations you may encounter in the future it’s a matter of applying the lessons they share to your own issues.

Whatever wisdom you seek is widely available if you embrace the examples of your own everyday role models.

What makes a role model

A lot of people see a role model as their source of inspiration; these role models are commonly successful people upholding values similar to your own.

Your everyday role models are not the heroes you aspire to, but they are the people you see day to day living their own lives, each person is a storybook and their lessons have merit for those willing to listen. Your everyday role models can be ordinary people with very simple plans and values; it is in listening to and questioning these simple motivations that you can get deeper in to the mindset of your role model.
What you can learn from a role model

We are encouraged from childhood onward to have role models to look up to, so we can learn from the experiences of others. When applying this thinking to your everyday role models it is likely they have had more experiences and can offer more insights than first meets the eye. It is up to you to engage with and take lessons from these people.

Your role model of choice can act as a source of progress, by imitating their steps to success you have set down a plan to achieve. Role models can also be the ones who grant you direction to begin with, by taking their values to heart. Observing the actions and mindset of your role model allows you to compare yourself with your role model and identify changes that you feel are in order.

Everyday role models are people similar to you; they are your friends, your family and your colleagues. They have their own set of values just like your heroes and they can hold just as much wisdom as well; all that is needed is for you to open the book.

How you can start learning from your everyday role models

The beauty of observing lessons from everyday role models is the simplicity to get out there and start, these people are the people you know and care for the most. See them as an open book not a chest of secrets.

Take these lessons to begin learning from your role models:

- Take time to speak to them – A simple process, don’t be the one who is too busy to stop and talk. When you encounter one of your colleagues take the time to stop and speak to them

- Ask simple questions – These simple questions are all that’s needed to get the ball rolling, these questions are a matter of asking “What’s going on?” or “How are you?” use of simple manners put people at ease and help them open up.

- Be interested – The key to learning anything from these talks is to be attentive to what is being said. Taking an interest allows you to retain the lessons learned better, you will also come across as interested to the other person, and as a result they will feel good engaging with you and be much more open in the future.

How to be an everyday role model to others

Perhaps you admire the simplicity of learning from others and wish to know how to make yourself a better everyday role model to people. The time may come where you step up to leadership by necessity; this is the time when you will need to understand engagement. Engagement allows you to show your team:

- Understanding

- Respect

These narrow the leadership gap between you and your team, bringing you closer.

- Speak to your peers – Developing relationships from which inspiration can be derived is a two-way street. Speaking to others is the key to making yourself open.

- Give advice based on common values – Discussing solutions to issues works well if both parties have the same outcomes in mind. Identifying your own values with a colleague’s allows discussion between both parties to run parallel with one another – the result is you are working together on a logical and human level.

- Be yourself – To be regarded as a true role model you need to teach your own lessons, for if people are to accept you, they must accept the real you. They will learn to admire your quirks and see what makes you unique.

To conclude

Giving more consideration to your surroundings allows you to perceive more about life and is the first step to finding the answer to your problem, so take the first step, tell your everyday role models how you admire their values and insights, and tell them the positive effect their lessons have had on you. Now is the time to begin opening up to your own everyday role models.

Written by Daniel Burns

I am a full time BA Business Management student from Northern Ireland with aspirations for a career in management upon graduation. My 3 years of study have taught me the importance of leadership through engagement. My writing started as an outlet for my own personal reflection on life and learning. My intention is to share these thoughts with the web community in the hope of gaining a deeper understanding of working and developing through people’s values and attitudes. For any questions I’m available at bbdanpat(at)aol(dot)com.