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Human Performance Blog

Role Models

Do you have a role model? Someone that you look up to? Someone that has helped mold you, shaped you; your thoughts, feeling and behaviors in certain situations?


According to sociologist Robert Merton...

A role model is a person whose behavior, example, or success, is or can be emulated by others. The term is also used to describe a person looked to by others as an example to be imitated.


Essentially...

A role model serves as an example.


Let's consider the affect that a role model figure can have on high performance; the way we THINK, FEEL, ACT, PERCEIVE when faced with performance challenges.


The key is being Selective and Reflective with the models that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors are tailored against.

High Performers are very Role Model Selective, they understand that experiential and vicarious learning can be quite powerful. That is, the experience and visual representation of a thought or a behavior for example, can leave a mark on our psyche which is then imprinted as a way to behave in the future. Additionally, they are very Role Model Reflective, questioning, and considering where and from whom lessons are learned and what examples have been set...consciously and subconsciously.


Fun Facts


-Role models are not only those who possess qualities that we would like to have. They are those who have affected us or demonstrated qualities to us in a way that can be conscious (in achievement) or subconscious (in way of being).


-Role models aren't often recognized until we notice a behavior in ourselves.


-Role models can be people you meet in person, or ones that you meet vicariously.


Most people are not very Role Model Selective, or Role Model Reflective. Most of us do however have role models in almost every area of life. They demonstrate for us how to think/feel/act/respond in various situations.


The truth is that many of us don't have good role models for how to THINK when threatened, how to FEEL when hurt, how to ACT when under pressure, or even how to RESPOND when challenged.


To be Role Model Selective, surround yourself with people that are solid examples of how you would like to think, feel, act and respond in situations that challenge you.


To be Role Model Reflective, ask yourself, where/from whom, you learned a certain way of thinking, feeling, acting and responding.


Are you sometimes, impatient, indecisive, distrustful, jealous, avoidant, angry etc. Then consider that there may have been a role model that have taught you - consciously or subconsciously - to be that way.


Performance Tip!

Assess MODELS...the thoughts, feelings, behaviors and responses you exhibit

Address MODELS...for effectiveness, over self-preservation

Access MODELS...of high performance by implementing adjustments

Ultimately consider...

Where'd I learn that? or Who'd I learn that from?


And importantly...

What are you modeling, and Who are you a role model to?


Have a thought, feeling, behavior or response that is keeping you from your high performance goals?



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