Being A Good Role Model
Trying to be a good model for everyone we come into contact with can have a significant positive impact on their lives. People often rely on positive role models to see behavior that they might want to emulate. By thinking about the ways in which we model behavior for everyone we interact with, this will go a long way toward helping people discover behavior that they in fact wish to engage in themselves. At the same time, we can also learn a great deal about behavior from everyone we come into contact with and thus help us refine and improve our own behavior in the process.
Here are some ways in which being a good model can be valuable for EVERYONE:
1. Providing inspiration
Seeing someone who is successful can inspire someone who is struggling. Sometimes people have challenges that are not so apparent. When they see others being successful this can motivate them even more to achieve their goals and dreams. In some cases, a person may not achieve all of their goals, but they become inspired by someone else and, in reality, do more than even they thought possible .
2. Offering guidance
A good role model can offer guidance on how to navigate situations that may be challenging for others. They can provide tips and strategies that have worked for them in the past. Everyone has challenges (big and small) that they need to overcome every day. One person’s small challenge might be a monumental one to somebody else.
The key is to share experiences with people who might need a little extra motivation. Let them know that everyone faces something difficult at one time or another. The trick is to try and prepare for a potential rough situation by accepting that it’s going to happen, and then have a strategy for how to deal with it when it does. This doesn’t mean you’re always going to be prepared, but showing others how you cope with a tough situation can be of great benefit.
3. Reducing stigma
There’s no recipe for who makes a good role model. Some people are good models and they are not neurodivergent. Other people are fantastic role models and they happen to fall somewhere on the neurodivergent spectrum.
The point is that good role models come in all shapes and sizes. When we all do our best to be our best, it sets an example that others naturally want to follow. Is everyone going to be as successful as everyone else? Probably not. However, when we all try to be the best versions of ourselves, it often leads to growth and dialogue. We learn about one another, reduce stigmas, poke holes in biases, and go a long way toward a world that sees, as Abraham Lincoln said, “the better angels of our nature.”
4. Building self-esteem
Everyone faces challenges that can impact their self-esteem. Seeing someone who is successful despite their challenges can help them to feel more confident in their own abilities. Being a good role model isn’t always easy. Everyone has different situations that come up. Some affect people greatly, while others never even know that they are happening.
It’s getting through these tough times, learning from them, and applying what we’ve learned throughout our lives that makes us who we are. It helps dictate how our lives are going to be, and how we look at the world. Overcoming or even outlasting adversity builds up self-esteem. When we get through something and we share what we’ve been through (or the people in our lives bear witness to it), this inspires everyone who sees or hears about it. Then they take that inspiration and can apply it to their own lives.
5. Creating a sense of community
By being a good role model, an individual can help to create a sense of community among individuals that have experienced similar situations. This can help to foster a sense of belonging and support. Many people like knowing that others are going through (or have gone through) similar or adjacent experiences. It’s what bonds all of us as humans.
It creates commonality and allows us to work and grow together. Whether somebody has a particular diagnosis, the fact remains that all people live through similar circumstances. Being a role model, showing people the positive things that helped you cope with challenging situations, will further deepen the bonds of community. Everyone’s situation is no doubt different, it’s when we see and accept just how similar we truly are, that our sense of community and understanding can flourish.
In closing, being a good model can provide inspiration, guidance, reduce stigma, build self-esteem, and create a sense of community. It is an opportunity to make a positive impact on someone's life and contribute to a more inclusive and accepting society.
Suggested Videos
Suggested Articles
5 Tips for a Successful Road Trip with People Who Are Neurodiverse
Discover 5 essential tips for a smooth and successful road trip with neurodiverse passengers, enhancing comfort and fun.
Social Skills in Autism - Santa Ana
Learn more about enhancing your child's social skills and communication with Autism Behavior Services, Inc.'s LET'S LAFF Social Skills groups…
What is Autism Sensory Integration?
Discover how Autism Sensory Integration can improve daily life and well-being. Learn more in this article.