Role Models

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Role Models

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Role Models

We aspire to our role models, emulating their actions and attitudes.

What is it:

Role models offer a glimpse into what's possible, influencing people's ambitions, goals, and choices. Just like an aspiring entrepreneur mirrors the business acumen and work ethic of a successful mentor, people often adopt the actions and attitudes of their role models in everyday life. By providing a clear path to success, role models inspire learning, goal-setting, and skill acquisition, ultimately shaping how people see themselves and what they can achieve.

How it influences us:

Role models are vital because they offer a blueprint for success and personal growth. Their presence acts as a guide, helping people make informed decisions and adjust their actions.

Let’s break it down:

Here's how role models shape behaviour:

• Inspiration
  Role models inspire people to learn new skills, adopt new goals, and amplify their current ambitions. For instance, a budding writer may be motivated to write daily after seeing their favourite author talk about the importance of discipline in their craft. By providing a glimpse of what's possible, role models encourage people to aim higher and chase their dreams.

• Emulation
  People often emulate their role models, copying their actions, behaviours, and attitudes. If a junior designer sees their creative director always pushing for innovation in projects, they might adopt the same mindset, striving for creativity in their work. Emulation is a powerful driver, nudging people to align their behaviour with those they admire.

• Perception
  Role models shape people's perceptions of what's possible and worth pursuing. For example, a young entrepreneur watching a self-made businessperson on a podcast might realise that success isn't out of reach and believe they can achieve it too. By providing a tangible model of achievement, role models influence how people see themselves and their potential.

• Goals
  Role models help people set and achieve new goals. When a mentor lays out a clear path to success, it provides both guidance and motivation. Think of a junior manager aiming for a leadership position after seeing their mentor's career trajectory and using their strategies to make better decisions and change their behaviour accordingly.

What’s the science behind it?

• Social Learning Theory

  People learn behaviours by observing and imitating the actions of others. In the context of role models, this theory suggests that individuals may adopt the behaviours, attitudes, and values of their role models through observational learning.

• Social Identity Theory

  People define themselves in part by the social groups to which they belong, and they seek to maintain a positive social identity. In the context of role models, this theory suggests that individuals may identify with and model themselves after individuals who they perceive as being part of their in-group.

• Self-Perception Theory

  People infer their attitudes and beliefs based on their own behaviour and the context in which it occurs. In the context of role models, this theory suggests that individuals may come to believe that they possess certain qualities or characteristics by modelling themselves after a role model who exhibits those qualities.

How to spot it:

Goals influence our everyday behaviour in ways we often overlook. Here are some simple tips to help you spot whether goals are driving someone's actions:

• Do people talk about their role models?

  Notice if people mention their role models in conversation. When they talk about them regularly, it's often a sign that they're influenced by that person's achievements and qualities.

• Do people mirror their role models’ attitudes and behaviours?

  Look out for people adopting qualities from people they admire. Whether it's adopting a musician's daily creative practice or picking up a grandparent's resilience, these reflections can reveal the influence of role models.

• Do people strive to reach goals similar to their role models'?

  Explore whether people are setting goals or ambitions that align with their role models' successes. For instance, if a mentee sets their sights on becoming a department head because their mentor did, it's a strong indicator of role model influence.

• Do people seek guidance from their role models when facing tough decisions?

  When people imagine how their role models would handle challenges or directly ask them for advice, it shows a reliance on role models for making informed decisions. This 'what would they do?' mindset indicates strong admiration and influence.

• Do people shape their perceptions of success based on their role models' achievements?

  Notice if people measure their own success against their role models' milestones. A parent might compare their parenting style to their mother's nurturing approach, while a traveller might want to visit every continent like their favourite adventurer. These comparisons often signal strong admiration and inspiration.

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Lauren Alys Kelly

Lauren Alys Kelly is the founder of Alterkind, overseeing the behavioural design, tool development, training and research. They publish tools like BehaviourKit.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenalyskelly/