Role of Role Models in Personality Development

For the better part of the populous, a role model plays a vital part in shaping our personality. Right from the initial stages of growing up, we establish our role models, though in those nascent stages, we tend to idolize our family members. The earliest role models of most individuals are seen in their parents, uncles, aunts or grandparents. As our exposure increases, our role models gradually take the form of public icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Sachin Tendulkar, Usain Bolt, Dhirubhai Ambani, or other such public figures who have proved their mettle in some walk of life.

Usually, a Role Model of a person can speak volumes about his ambition and interests. The personality traits of the role model have in some way inspired the idoliser, and we can see that these inspiring characteristics bring about a pointed change in that individual’s perceptions. It is, however, not enough only to select a proper Role model; to use him or her as a sort of benchmark and then identify the qualities that have made the Role model successful in the chosen field is equally imperative. It is not necessary to put the Role Models on a pedestal or deify the personality, making a SWOT analysis of our individual capabilities and identifying our weaknesses to correct them is essential. Making use of the opportunities, warding off the threats and improving on our strengths to exceed our own expectations and cross the benchmarks set by our Role Models is a further aid to developing our personalities on the lines of our icons.

An interesting hypothetical analogy to figure our tennis ace Roger Federer’s Role Model evolution could be as follows:

While Roger Federer may not have consciously modelled himself on Pete Sampras it appears from his overall approach to the game that at some point of time he may have modelled his game partly on Sampras.
However it is testimony to Federer’s greatness that over the last few years he has improved his all court game to such an extent that today he is arguably the greatest player the tennis world has seen.
Having surpassed the achievements of his one time role model it is imperative for Federer to set new goals and, if necessary, choose a different Role Model - perhaps somebody like Tiger Woods, the greatest Golfer the world has seen, where at his career peak, there is a wide gap between him and the rest!

Milind Vartak

www.valueaddservices.com

Core Values of Personality Development

Hi! I am Milind. After observing closely the potential that Gen Next is displaying, I wish to employ my experience to help them enhance their personas and optimise their talents.
After tiding over some difficult times, and having done well in terms of academic achievement and corporate success, I believe that my understanding of the professional environment will go a long way in polishing young talent. What is remarkable about personality is that you can keep sprucing it up eternally. Age is no barrier to give your personality a make over, and the more self esteem you have, the better will be your self confidence to radiate a self-assured personality. Today, appearances are often considered the whole and soul of developing a strong personality. Unfortunately though, in business, the old adage `never judge a book by its cover` still holds good, and apart from an external façade, what goes into building a positive persona is:

1) Confidence.
2) The ‘Never say Die’ spirit
3) High self esteem.
4) The Ability to succeed in face of adversity.
5) No worry about criticism from others, and
6) An ability to back yourself.

People like Richard Branson have succeeded by equipping themselves with an abundance of these. Vijay Mallya too was criticised when he ventured into the F1 business, however a never say die spirit and an ability to back himself, got him a podium finish vindicating his decisions.

Milind Vartak
www.valueaddservices.com