How to Be a Role Model

Co-authored by Jennifer Guttman, PsyD and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: April 18, 2024 Fact Checked

Being a role model is a big responsibility, especially when you’re on the job. How can you set a great example for your peers without setting impossible expectations for yourself? Don’t worry–you’ve come to the right place. We’ve outlined plenty of simple qualities and characteristics associated with good role models, as well as easy ways to apply those traits in the moment. When the next workday rolls around, you’ll be able to put your best foot forward!

Things You Should Know

To be a role model in any context, acknowledge and improve your weaknesses while owning up to your mistakes. Transparency is better than perfection.
Respect everyone around you and empathize with them to earn their trust and admiration.
Communicate openly, honestly, and directly. Listen to what others have to say with respect and consideration.

1

Act confidently.

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Role models have faith in their own capabilities without being arrogant. Being confident revolves around knowing your self-worth and your strengths, while arrogance centers on feelings of self-importance. Good role models know how to believe in themselves without putting themselves on a pedestal.^{[1]
X
Research source} Try:
- Taking the lead on a project that matches your skillset
- Politely correcting a co-worker when they share incorrect information
- Bringing an idea to your boss or manager

2

Address your weaknesses.

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Role models aren’t afraid to approach their weaknesses in a new way. Despite popular belief, a role model isn’t flawless and perfect at everything they do. Instead, they take steps to understand what their weak points are, and then work to improve themselves in the future.^{[2]
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Research source} You might:
- Ask a superior for advice on how to handle a tough project
- Say “no” to new commitments if you already have a full schedule
- Ask a tech-savvy co-worker to walk you through a feature in Photoshop

3

Respect everyone around you.

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Respect earns you other people’s trust and admiration. A good role model makes an effort to empathize with their peers, care about their struggles, and treat others the way they’d like to be treated.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Jennifer Guttman, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Interview. 26 July 2021.} Think of it this way–if your words or actions don’t meet the Golden Rule, then they probably aren’t what a role model would do.^{[4]
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Research source} You could try:
- Waiting for your turn to speak
- Offering a helping hand
- Apologizing if you mess up during a project
- Thanking someone for their time^{[5]
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  Research source}

4

Prioritize good communication.

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Good role models know how to talk to their teammates. They’ll share feedback directly, email a peer when they need something, and say exactly what’s on their mind. A poor role model, on the other hand, might communicate passive-aggressively, or force their co-workers to read between the lines instead of just being direct.^{[6]
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Research source} Here are some ways you can make the most out of your own communication:
- Practice active listening skills
- Sit or stand with a relaxed, open posture
- Compliment someone on a job well done^{[7]
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  Research source}

5

Share constructive feedback.

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Role models give their peers plenty of opportunities to improve. Take a moment to acknowledge how hard your teammate has worked, and let them know how they can make their next draft or revision even stronger. Keep your tone clear, kind, and direct, so your peer completely understands how to do an even better job in the future.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} You might say:
- “I appreciate all the hard work you put into this draft. Would you mind giving it another read-through for small errors and typos?”
- “Your eye contact felt a bit spotty during the presentation. I totally get where you’re coming from–I find that it helps to look at different people when I’m speaking to a crowd.”

6

Push yourself to keep learning.

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A true role model always wants to improve and is never satisfied with complacency. Pay close attention to both your peers and superiors and see how they do things. Is there anything you can learn from them? Is there any way you can apply their skills and work ethic to your own? The more you’re willing to learn and grow, the more of a role model you’ll be to the people around you.^{[9]
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Research source}
- If you’d really like to go the extra mile, enroll in a class or degree program that’s related to your career path.
- You might practice using a difficult piece of software over the weekend so you feel more comfortable with it during the workweek.

7

Admit when you do something wrong.

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Role models embrace transparency, not perfection. Own any mistakes that you made and take responsibility for any of the aftermath. Honesty and accountability are way more important than having a perfect track record.^{[10]
X
Research source} Try saying:
- “I completely underestimated how long that task was going to take. I’m so sorry for making you wait!”
- “I’m really sorry, guys. This one’s on me.”
- “I take full responsibility for what happened here. You have every right to be upset.”

8

Set high goals.

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True role models expect great things from both themselves and their peers. Remind your teammates that they’re capable of really great things, and they can accomplish just about anything if they put their minds to it.^{[11]
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Research source} Here are a few ideas:
- “I’m hoping to finish this assignment by the end of the week.”
- “It would be great if we could submit this project by next Wednesday.”
- “I know that we can get this done by the deadline.”
- Make sure that your goals are still manageable, though! Always be honest with yourself about what you're able to complete in a given timeframe.^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jennifer Guttman, PsyD
  Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 July 2021.}

9

Live life with integrity.

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A good role model thrives on fairness and honesty. Treat everyone equally, and don’t give out special favors to a certain handful of people.^{[13]
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Expert Source

Jennifer Guttman, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Interview. 26 July 2021.} Your peers are more likely to look up to you if you give everyone the same opportunities.^{[14]
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Research source} If you notice someone acting or behaving unfairly, don’t be afraid to call them out, either! True integrity involves holding everyone accountable, including yourself.^{[15]
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Trustworthy Source

Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living

Go to source}
- For example, don’t offer to proofread one co-worker’s writing but refuse to help another. Instead, wait until you have enough time to help multiple people at once.
- Don’t tell one co-worker about a cool new work opportunity but leave your other, equally-qualified teammate in the dark.

10

Carry your weight.

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Role models always work as a team and never leave their work to someone else. Always offer to do your fair share of the work during a group assignment or project, and make sure that everyone else is pulling their weight, too. The more reliable and dependable you are, the more your peers will look up to you further down the line.^{[16]
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Research source}
- For instance, you might finish your assignment for a group project several days before the deadline instead of waiting until the last second.

11

Enjoy your day-to-day work.

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Role models embrace their job even when things are slow. They aren’t counting down the hours until they leave for the day; instead, they make the most of every minute they’re at work until it’s time to clock out. This doesn’t mean that you have to love every aspect of your job, though! Just focus on the aspects of your work that you like the most, and get your enjoyment from there.^{[17]
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Research source}
- Enjoying your job actually helps you get more satisfaction in the long run.
- Try breaking down tasks into manageable chunks, and then completing each manageable chunk before moving onto the next one.^{[18]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jennifer Guttman, PsyD
  Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  
  Expert Interview. 26 July 2021.} This might help you feel more productive and in-the-zone during the workday!

12

Approach life with optimism.

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Optimism offers more opportunities for growth than pessimism. Being a good role model is all about learning how to roll with the punches and make the best out of a bad situation. Focus on resiliency instead of negativity–your peers will appreciative the positivity, and may even take a page out of your book.^{[19]
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Research source} Try approaching a negative situation one of these ways:
- “It stinks that we didn’t meet our monthly goal, but now we’re ahead of the game for the next month!”
- “We might not have made as much money as we hoped, but now we can make a more targeted marketing strategy toward our customers.”

13

Welcome new ideas.

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A good role model trusts their team’s innovations. Embrace good ideas as you hear them, and encourage your teammates to make them into a reality. Believing and trusting in the people around you is actually a key part of being a role model.^{[20]
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Research source} You could say:
- “That’s a fantastic idea, Jenn. I really think you should bring that up at the next team meeting!”
- “I love that idea, Markus. How about you give it a try for a week or so and let me know how things are going?”

14

Be yourself.

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Great role models are unapologetically themselves. Focus on the qualities that make you special–not what other people expect you to be. There will always be someone who doesn’t quite vibe with your way of doing things, and that’s okay! Being a good role model is all about answering to yourself, not to the people around you.^{[21]
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Research source} You could:
- Share a funny pun or corny joke with a peer
- Wear your favorite outfit to work, even if it isn’t super stylish
Gigi Hadid, Model & Fashion Influencer

Be honest and authentic about how you live your life. "My biggest thing about being a role model is whatever I’m preaching, I’m practicing."

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I embody my role model's behavior?

Jennifer Guttman, PsyD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Jennifer Guttman, is a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Clinical Psychologist, and the Founder of the Sustainable Life Satisfaction®, a motivational and lifestyle platform. With over 30 years of experience and practice in New York City and Westport, Dr. Guttman specializes in treating people struggling with acute behavioral disorders stemming from anxiety, depression, stress, attention deficit, and phobias. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Drew University and a Doctor of Psychology from Long Island University. Dr. Guttman is the author of "A Path To Life Satisfaction Workbook (2018),” a monthly blog contributor to Psychology Today and Thrive Global, and a contributor to articles in major publications, media sites, and podcasts including The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, Redbook, Teen Vogue, Health, mindbodygreen.com, Harvesting Happiness, and Unshakable Self-Confidence.

Jennifer Guttman, PsyD

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Expert Answer

First, determine what traits you admire in your role model and write them down. Identify the ways you may already be modeling some of those behaviors already. Then, try to find your "room for improvement" traits and work on those!

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