A role model is defined as ‘a person looked to by others as an example in a particular role.’ Research has shown that a member of the family is for most people their most important role model in life. The second most important role model however changes in the course of time: for people between 18 and 30 it is a teacher or a coach, for people over 30 it is a business leader. This business leader is not necessarily a top manager but more often the direct supervisor, thus the person to whom someone reports directly and works with daily. This means that every manager at every organizational level has to be a good role model because they have the most influence on employees’ motivation, loyalty, commitment and performance. Employees listen to what their managers do and not to what they say, so managers have to lead by doing and thus give the right behavioral example.

HPO managers set this example by always being committed, engaged, enthusiastic, positive. They act boldly in times of crisis while keeping a perspective, do not easily give up, put in the hard work themselves, and are always visible as a leader during trying times. HPO managers are not arrogant and in fact solicit for strong opinions and counteractions so their own ideas are challenged in a way that makes them better. They try hard to be a role model, not only for employees and colleagues, but also for partners and clients. In this way, the HPO manager creates a value chain with parties who trust each other completely.

The catering manager and behaving as a role model

As mentioned before, the catering manager has years of experience in the industry, among others as a cook. Because of this he has a lot of knowledge of food products, preparation techniques, and presenting the food attractively. Employees feel challenged by the catering manager to become as knowledgeable as he is. In addition, the catering manager shows through his actions that quality is number one to him. Not just quality of the products served by the restaurant but also quality of the way customers are treated. Instead of bombarding employees with his opinions on quality, he shows them through behavior what is important.

IDEAS TO GET STARTED TO BECOME A ROLE MODEL

• Look for a role model for yourself. This can be a person inside or outside the organization – and maybe somebody from your past: a previous employer, a teacher or a professor – someone you highly respect and whose behavior inspires and enthuses you. Study this person, talk to this person and above all, learn from this person.
• Develop emphatic behavior which makes it possible for you to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. This way you can see and experience your behavior from that person’s viewpoint. Thus, you can evaluate whether your actions have positive effects on employees and whether your behavior can be characterized as role model behavior.
• Ask personal feedback (feedfoward) from individual employees and colleagues in an informal and non-threatening environment. Let them comment on your behavior and whether they see you as a role model. Doing this regularly will give you frequent updates on your ‘status’ as role model.
• Never forget you were once an employee yourself.