The Influence of Role Models

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The past year has been tough for women all over the world. Many have suffered great losses due to the global pandemic and, according to a recent article in The Washington Post, the participation of the female workforce in the US is currently at the lowest for more than a decade. This same image is repeated in other parts of the world.

The Women’s History Month of March has given rise to the celebration of women who have faced challenges and triumphed. Some of these are household names, while others remain unknown to the majority in spite of the difference they make. 

But what is in fact the transformational power behind role models?

To begin with, the human brain is wired to register and mirror the behavior of other people. When noticing desirable values and traits in others, your brain will instinctively want to copy and include this in your “behavioral repertoire.”

By providing vision and visual proof of who we aspire to be, role models have a great impact on our view of the world, the choices we make, and the way we develop. It is therefore important to be aware of the influence we might have on others, while realizing the choice we have in terms of choosing who we want to model ourselves.

Author John Kehoe, and authority in the study of consciousness and the power of the mind, explains how role modeling is an effective and powerful step in achieving success. Due to its ability to inspire and even encourage us to move beyond temporary failures, role modeling stimulates the creative imagination. When modelling ourselves after those we admire, we get to take on part of their character, their strengths and determination. Through identification and stimulation of the (subconscious) part of our mind, the success of people who inspire us can help lead us to our own success, and can allow us to move beyond our preconceived limitations and feelings of inadequacy.

In the process of creating From Balance, I have been taking (and continue to take) great inspiration from a long list of powerful women, who I consider as role models for different reasons and in different ways.

Some have excelled as leaders in the world of business and politics while others stand out to me due to their impact on culture or the world of art. Others again have shown great courage as entrepreneurs or first movers within their industry, or challenged the world through their activism or unique points of view.

When trying to gain a deeper understanding why these particular women stood out to me, I realized they all had the following in common:  

  • Willingness to share their personal story 

  • Courage to show vulnerability 

  • Determination to be a leader in their field 

As a prominent member on the list (and often challenging my courage to honor any and all of the above), author and researcher Brené Brown talks about “playing small” in fear of shame and criticism rather than stepping into our power and owning up to our potential greatness. I have personally felt this dichotomy my entire life.

On the one side wanting to be seen for my intelligence, abilities and talent, but sometimes underplayed myself in fear of not being prepared, competent and ultimately perfect enough. Choosing to play small, or stay out of the arena, in order to feel in control, or at least get to decide who I would share my vulnerability with. 

But when listening to her words: “Vulnerability is not about winning or losing. It’s having the courage to show up even when you can’t control the outcome”, I just know she is right. Just as the women I get drawn and inspired by are exactly those who are willing to let go, allow themselves to be vulnerable but insist on changing the game!

So, while dipping my toes and stretching my courage, I can't help thinking of the importance it is to all of us (and especially young girls) to experience that things can be done and change can be made. Either by women breaking through glass ceilings and making it to the highest offices, or by knocking down barriers of race and changing old patterns of injustice. Or simply, like women in our own family, modeling how being paying attention and showing interest generally makes them more interesting to most.

Love,

Sille

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