Who is or has been your role model?

A role model is someone who has powerful influence in the life of another person. They generally serve as a positive influence, however, there are those who serve as negative role models. I've seen a couple of those in my experiences working with companies. Whether positive or negative, make no mistake, leaders influence the lives of others. From the CEO to the foreman on the shop floor, how that influence is handled will determine the energy, enthusiasm, and success of the enterprise.

The topic for this energy tip came from a company I had the opportunity to serve this past week. I was invited to give a presentation at the annual celebration of a manufacturing company in North Carolina. The credit for the initial contact goes to one of the maintenance foreman. I mention him because when I first met this foreman it was obvious that he was working for a company that was committed to people.

His energy and enthusiasm about where he worked was very evident. When I had the opportunity to meet his CEO and many of the company leadership I understood exactly why he was "pumped" about where he worked. From the CEO down they each served as a positive role model for EVERY employee.

Energy Performance Tip: In the last two Energy Tips I've written that "happy" employees are productive employees. The commitment of leadership to serve as positive role models produces "happy" employees. To those who may think this is a little "touchy-feely" let me explain. When I write about happiness I'm not talking about that warm little feeling in the pit of your stomach. Happiness is created by responsible behavior toward our work and those we work with. It is not dependent on "happenings," but on responsible behavior. Leaders who are responsible to what they do and who they do it with will produce happy employees. Along with being competent at their jobs responsible leaders show respect and appreciation for the people they lead. That's what I experience in this North Carolina manufacturing company.

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."
- Albert Schweitzer

"Example has more followers than reason."
- Christian Bovee

"A prudent person profits from personal experience;
a wise one from the experience of others."
- Dr Joseph Collins

Energy Development Tip: How do you exercise your responsibility when it comes to being a role model? Do you believe that being the "right" example will influence your people? Try this exercise - make a list of five people throughout your life that have made the greatest impact on you. Don't think too much about who they are. The first five that come to mind are generally those who had the greatest influence on you. Now list "why" they impacted you. It may have been a father, mother, teacher, or coach in high school or college. After you do the exercise, ask yourself who you are being a role model for, and how are you doing at the job.

"The most important single influence in the life of a person is another person...who is worthy of emulation."
- Paul D. Shafer

"People seldom improve when they have no other model but themselves to copy."
- Oliver Goldsmith

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."
- Mark Twain

My congratulations to all who know what it means to serve others as a positive role model.

Have a great week,

Dr. Bob

Dr.Robert A.Rausch,