Role Models For Start-ups?

You may be wondering why anyone would need a role model when they’re launching a business. Don’t you just need to read a few business books or sneak in the time to get an MBA to build a business?

Role models are a powerful and free way to boost your business acumen, increase your self-confidence, and learn how to take your business from concept to empire.

Modeling, imitation, or emulation may not appeal to many people in this age of authenticity.  However, role models can be a useful tool to help get you where you want to be in your life both personally and professionally. Why struggle when you can learn from others who have faced similar challenges and have found success? I’m not asking that you model or copy a person’s every trait; in fact, I’m asking that you remain faithful to your core authenticity, but be open to modeling strategies, tactics, and coping skills of those you admire.

Role models are not relegated solely to prolific social activists, celebrities, business luminaries, sports stars, or high-profile power figures. They can just as likely be someone you personally know or someone you discovered through watching a TED Talk. They might be someone in your community or someone you’ve only read about. The idea that role models need to be heroes elevates them to a level at which our admiration turns to idolization; that isn’t useful for anyone.

Here are five ways role models can improve your life and work:

Provide Short Cuts
Our journey in life and business can be long, but there are short cuts that can help you bypass some of the challenges and potential struggles along the way. Why recreate the wheel? Everyone is here on this lovely planet to fulfill their purpose; however, you do not need to pound your head against the proverbial wall if you can learn how to meander the path with more grace and ease.  Even if you don’t personally know someone, you can easily observe or read how they built their business and maneuvered through their life. So much is shared online today that it’s easy to read their blog, find articles written on their success, or follow them on their various social media channels.

Help You Reflect on Your Greatness
While interviewing women entrepreneurs about their role models for my book, they often noted traits that in fact reflect qualities they also admire and appreciate in themselves. If you admire someone, you may want to ask yourself what particular characteristics you’re drawn to. Quite often, those qualities are a mirror for you — your own power traits. You can learn a lot about yourself from those you admire. Research has shown, in fact, that many people seek out role models who are similar in some ways to themselves.

Provide Inspiration for What’s Possible
Who doesn’t love a healthy dose of inspiration? When you hear stories of other people kicking ass in the world, don’t you feel the excitement in your own body and mind? When you’re busy consumed with your own day-to-day responsibilities, distracted the minutiae, or overwhelmed by what you want to accomplish, it’s wonderful to find inspiration in others who are doing remarkable work and accomplishing great things. When we see what’s possible we know it’s possible for ourselves as well.

Help You Become the Best You
Research has shown that by seeking, observing, and learning from a coterie of role models and mentors you can develop a self-concept that reflects the type of person you want to become. It can be used as part of your own personal and professional self-development. For instance, if you admire someone for her ability to maintain boundaries, you can model some of her tricks for saying “no” (and sticking to it).

Be a Role Model for Others
If you’re living your best life, you might be surprised to notice how others might be observing the richness of your experiences and the congruency  in which you live. Stand up and share how you’ve done it, tell your stories with confidence, be gracious when people complement you, and mentor others. Stopping to reflect on what you’ve built and the life you’ve created thus far is also a huge boost to your confidence.

The beauty of role models is that they are everywhere — once you look. They are online, speaking on TED stages, on YouTube, in business magazines, in your networking and business groups, and in your very own community. Don’t just look for one though. Look for several role models that you can learn from based on different qualities and attributes. Perhaps you look to one woman for her marketing savvy while another you study for her ability to integrate family and business.

Role models can be a powerful tool in your professional and person toolkit. Take a look around and see who you can learn and glean valuable information from.You might be surprised what you get in return.

By Jenn Aubert.

Jenn Aubert is an author and entrepreneur. Her first book “Women Entrepreneur Revolution: Ready! Set! Launch!” explores the mindset, motivation, and behaviors of successful female entrepreneurs and the role models in their lives who have influenced them.

Photo by Monkey Business Images | Shutterstock