5 Wrongs Role Models are doing to Their Followers
I don't even have a role model
Oh yes! I want to produce original and new copies. I don’t want to have an imitated achievement. I believe in myself and I believe in my ability.
A role model according to Collins dictionary; “is someone you admire and try to imitate”.
That is what it is; to admire, to copy, and to imitate. That is actually where I have a problem.
I heard people always say; “she is my role model, he is my role model” But I don’t have any role model and I don’t believe in one.
There are five wrongs that role models are doing to their followers. They may be subtle but they are real.
Role Model Discourages Innovation.
How?
Because someone who has made him or herself god over others in the name of role modeling, claimed he pulled down the Everest Mountain with a flute, all his followers’ aspirations will be how to acquire flute. All they want to learn is the flute.
They want to learn how to blow the flute. They all desire to pull down the Everest Mountain with the flute.
Role modeling blindfolds the followers and blocks them from thinking out new methods or ideas of doing things.
If the pulling down was achieved through the blowing of flute, it can also be achieved through clapping or stamping. But the followers of a role model will not think about these other methods because they are focusing on being like their mentor. All they want to do is an imitation; ‘do as I do’.
Role model Followers are ‘Copy-cats’
The Cambridge dictionary defines a role model as; “a person who someone admires and whose behavior they try to copy”.
Yes, the world of role models and followers is full of copy and paste.
They want to dress and walk exactly the way the role model does. They want to talk, laugh, and have the same business plans and goals as the role model.
Like I said earlier, copying or imitating does not encourage innovations and inventions. I don’t have a role model. I like trying new things on my own. I like doing things in different ways.
Believe in Someone else and not in Yourself
This is exactly what role model is and what it does to the imitators.
I admire my courage and achievements always. Although, I appreciate people who go the extra mile to achieve a fit; I don’t worship them. I don’t mimic their methods to achieve the same fit. I believe in my ability to achieve more fits.
Role Models Misfire but they won’t mention it.
Role models make their followers feel like idiots sometimes. The reason you are angry with yourself is that your role model did not tell you the one million mistakes he made before getting to the current level. On top of that, he or she still makes mistakes even as a role model. But all you see and read about him or her are the exploits.
Role models have their flaws but they won’t mention it. Many followers get frustrated along the way because they tell themselves that they are not getting it right like their role models.
Your role model level of success is your benchmark
Business dictionary gave further meaning to a role model as someone who other individuals aspire to be like, either in the present or in the future. This is another area I frown at in role modeling.
Someone somewhere is planning to pull down the mountain with just a clap. He has also planned to scavenge on the mountain site for natural resources. But the other people just want to answer mountain pullers like their role model.
When you aspire only to be like the man that pulled down the Everest Mountain with a flute, that is where your success will be bench-marked.
