6 Ways to Become the Role Model at Work that Your Team Needs

If an organization is to run smoothly and sustainably, people need to be at the right place for the right reasons. Bound by their responsibilities and with the best interest of the company at heart, managers are expected to have the ability to make all the right decisions and act accordingly. What’s more, they need to set a strong example for others. To bring out your full potential as a manager, learn how to be a good role model for your team through the tips listed below. But before that Let’s understand what does it mean to be a role model.

What does it mean to be a Role Model?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the term “role model” can mean different things to different people. For some, a role model is someone who they aspire to be like. Someone who is successful and has a lot of admirable qualities. For others, a model might be someone they know personally. A friend or family member who they look up to and respect.

A role model at the workplace is someone who employees can look up to for guidance, support, and mentorship. It is an employee in an organization who is admired by others for his or her abilities, achievements, and qualities. They are often leaders in the company who do plan company activities and have a wealth of experience that they can share with others. 

The important thing to understand is that when an individual or group chooses someone to be their role model it is because the person being called the role model embodies the values, qualities, behavior, positive attitude, hard work, and persistence that they want to emulate.

What are the Characteristics of a Good Role Model in the Workplace?

A good role model has a lot of qualities embodied in them. The 5 main qualities they are usually known for are:

1. They are passionate about their work

Role models not only have a great work ethic, but they are also passionate about their work. When people are passionate about their work, they tend to take it more seriously and put in more effort. This often results in better quality work and more success.

Passion is contagious. When someone sees that their model has perseverance and is passionate about their work, it encourages them to be passionate as well. This can lead to a domino effect, where others become inspired by the role model’s passion and are driven to achieve even more.

2. They are authentic 

Role models are authentic in their interactions. They don’t put on a persona for the public. They are genuine in their interactions with other people, and they stay true to themselves. People can tell when someone is being fake, and they don’t respect or admire those kinds of people.

People often look to role models as a way to find authenticity in their lives. A role model is someone who is admired and looked up to because they are real and honest. They share their vulnerabilities and talk about their mistakes. This makes them more relatable and people feel like they can connect with them.

3. They are supportive

Role models make you feel supported. They help you to believe in yourself and give you the strength to achieve your goals. We often turn to these models for inspiration and support as we navigate through life. There are many ways in which role models do support their followers:

• They can help them set goals and achieve their dreams
• They can also provide them with support and encouragement when they need it most
• Role models can help them learn new things and grow as individuals

4. They are encouraging

Role models encourage and motivate people to achieve their goals. Good role models provide encouragement and support, and they help you stay on track when you feel like giving up. They also teach you how to handle difficult situations and make good decisions. A positive model can help you become a better person and achieve your goals.

We often look to role models for guidance and encouragement, especially when we are trying to make important decisions in our lives. They never put us down, but instead, help us to believe in ourselves and our abilities. They also provide practical advice and feedback, which is invaluable when we are trying to improve our skills. Ultimately, good role models encourage us to become the best possible versions of ourselves.

5. They are inspiring

A role model can provide inspiration and motivation, leading to better decisions and a more positive outlook on life. Role models can help young people develop their talents and figure out what they want to do with their lives. People of all ages can benefit from having a model. It’s important to find someone who you feel comfortable looking up to and emulating.

Read more about the effective use of inspiration at work with a real-life story: Inspiring, not managing: Unraveling Pavan Verma’s Journey to the 3 Keys of Leadership

Why should managers be good role models for their team members?

Managers are majorly considered as role models whether they like it or not. Employees observe the way managers treat others, make decisions, and react under pressure. They then try to replicate that behavior themselves thinking it is the optimum way of doing it. All this happens unconsciously.

A manager’s job is to lead and motivate their team. To do that, they need to be good role models for their team members. If team members see their manager working hard and taking care of their work, they will be more likely to want to do the same. As a result, becoming a good role model is critical for a manager to become an effective manager.

Managers also need to be good role models for their team in terms of attitude and behavior. They should always be polite and respectful, and never lose their temper in public. If team members see their manager reacting negatively to a situation, they may start to think that it’s okay to do the same in the future. Manager must embody the company’s values and expected behavioral traits. By being a model as a manager, the manager can create a positive team that deals with every adversity with positivity and in a responsible manner and gets the work done with full potential.

Team members will be more likely to trust their manager and follow their lead if they know that the manager is someone they can look up to. A manager’s ability to become a role model for their team decides if they can become a good manager as well as a good leader or not.

How to be an effective role model at work? 6 Tips for managers

1. Show respect for others

The first thing a manager should do to become a good role model is to set an example for their team. This means behaving in a way that shows respect for others, and modeling the type of behavior you want to see from your team. Treat others the way you want others to treat you. When managers show respect for their employees, they are communicating that they value the employees and their contributions. This can help to build trust and create a positive work environment. In addition, treating employees with respect can help to avoid conflict and promote cooperation. All that will ultimately make the manager a perfect fit for their role model.

2. Be patient and understanding with your employees

One of the most important things a manager can do to become a role model is to be patient and understanding with their employees. This means setting a good example for them to follow and taking the time to listen to them and help them when needed. When things get tough, it can be tempting to lash out at employees. However, this will only damage your chances of becoming their ideal model.

It will also make it difficult for them to perform well. Instead, take a deep breath and try to remain calm. Communicate openly with employees, and be understanding of any problems they may be facing. By being patient and understanding, you will build trust with your employees and be able to help people when needed.

3. Take the time to listen to them and understand their concerns

Employees want to feel like their concerns are heard and that they have a voice in the company. They also want to see their managers taking the time to listen to others and set a good example.  If you want your employees to emulate the best qualities of you as a manager by seeing you as a role model, then you need to take the time to listen to them and understand employee concerns. 

When employees feel like they can approach their manager with any issue or concern, big or small, they’ll be more likely to trust and respect the manager. And that’s what will make them want to do their best work for the manager and see him or her as a role model.

Learn more about this crucial skill here: 7 Steps To Master Active Listening For Managers

4. Take the time to develop a positive work culture

Positive work culture is key to having a productive, successful team. When team members feel appreciated and supported, they are more likely to do their best work. As a manager, it’s important to take the time to develop a positive work culture and be an example for your team members.

If you as a manager want yourself to become the role model of your team members, you need to set the bar high. Show them that you care about your work and that you’re always willing to put in the extra effort. Be supportive, communicative, patient, and most importantly, lead by example.

Read more about the importance of a good company culture here: Proven culture hacks you have always been looking for

5. Coach, guide, and encourage your employees when they need it

Your employees are looking up to you as their role models. They want to be like you, and they want to be able to do the things that you can do. But sometimes, they may feel like they can’t do everything that you can. This is where you come in as their coach.

You need to be there to encourage them and guide them when they need it. You need to be the one who helps them to see the potential that they have, and the potential that they can reach. You need to be the one who helps them to be their best selves.

6. Stay up to date with changes in the industry or your field of work

To be a good role model, a manager needs to stay up-to-date with the changes in the industry or their field. This is not an easy task because it takes a lot of time and effort to stay on top of all the changes that are happening in the world. Still, it is necessary to stay updated for becoming a good role model and to make sure that you are meeting the expectations of your organization and your employees or team members. You must be seen as an expert in the area of your work. If not, you will not hold any credibility in your team’s eyes.

Conclusion

Being a manager, it’s time to start being a good role model for your team. A good role model is someone who sets an example and teaches their team the right things, both in and out of the office. With this in mind, we have listed six tips for managers to become good role models for their employees. We believe that if managers can follow all these tips and if they can develop the 5 listed qualities of a good role model, the chances of them becoming the role model of their employees will shoot for the highest.

This blog post will help managers to understand how what it means to be a role model and how they can become good role models for their team