Women’s role model roles are crucial working in the business.

THE RELATIVE LACK OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN TO PROGRESS THEIR CAREERS IN BUSINESS, COMPARED WITH THEIR MALE COUNTERPARTS, IS NOT A NEW CONVERSATION. BUT DESPITE GLOBAL PROGRESS AND OPEN CONVERSATIONS, WE STILL CONSTANTLY HEAR OF THE CHALLENGES AND HURDLES FOR WOMEN IN BUSINESS IN ALL INDUSTRIES. ARGUABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTING FACTORS IS REPRESENTATION AND ‘BEING WHAT YOU CAN SEE.

Since we founded Everywoman over in 1993, we’ve discovered that we should not underestimate the value and impact of role models in general and accessible, relatable role models in particular. When we first created Everywoman, the term “role model” was not widely used in the business world due to the lack of role models! However, there is a shift in the direction of change, and today, the value of role models is well known.

It’s easy but extremely inspirational and powerful to watch people sharing their career tales with young women who don’t know what it will take to one day become the successful woman standing in front of them. Role models can help bridge the gap and provide a vista of possibility by sharing the positive, the bad, and ugly aspects of their professional journey. They’re not perfect, but they’re anxious or feel like an imposter or doubt their capabilities. They’re like us. We’ve seen Role Models inspire others to discover their voice and engage in conversations that speed up the process and create changes in the workplace and our society, and the economic system.

There are many roles for people to play. Models: parents or teachers, celebrities, as well as colleagues. These role models are crucial in achieving your full potential in all aspects of your life. Research has demonstrated that role models from childhood are extremely influential in developing a person. Just as having an intelligent teacher can impact your learning course, finding the best role model for your professional life can affect your performance and advancement in your work.

Research conducted by The Glass Hammer and Accenture found a strong correlation with role models and goals, with 83% of women with high goals stating that they had an influencer. It’s generally accepted that role models inspire a strong drive to succeed and set higher goals.

HOW MENTORS AND ROLE MODELS ARE DIFFERENT

A mentor can be defined as someone with whom you are in a partnership and a recognizable system of interactions in the workplace. They help, encourage and help you to follow your path to success. A role model is someone with who you might be in contact. But, your connection will likely be a little neglected, if there is any. A model can be anyone from your CEO, a person you don’t have a lot of contact with, or someone you’ve not met before, like the most prominent business person or a celebrity whose image and work style can inspire you.

THE ADVANTAGES OF ROLE MODELS

Using a role model effectively will immediately open the door to a wider network of inspirational and successful people. You can take lessons from their behavior, actions and decision-making in the workplace to develop the best version of yourself. We can also think about who we are, who we are, what we do and do not stand for, what we’re most enthusiastic about, and what inspires us. They can be a source of inspiration whenever we face obstacles to our career, obstacles to employment, or difficult workplaces. Role models provide a different approach to evaluating the person we are and what we can do to improve our lives, and what we hope to accomplish. In 2020, research conducted featuring the 30,000 women in the membership discovered 36% of women cite role models as a source of confidence to make the decisions they might take a different path.

WHO MAKES A ROLE MODEL?

A role model doesn’t necessarily have to be a woman or a person within the organization you work for. If you’re unable to locate what you’re seeking close to home, expand your perspective and think about different groups and networks. Consider challenging any prejudices about age, race or gender, knowledge or background, education level or industry sector, the dimensions of businesses, non-profit and private sector. Think about individuals you’ve encountered in other aspects of your life. Role models are all around and often in unexpected locations.

PAYING IT FORWARD – HOW TO BE A GREAT ROLE MODEL

It is not just important to have role models. It’s also crucial to show gratitude and role model for other women. Some people view simply following a role model who impressed you. But you should be yourself the person you want to be. Role model. It does not require someone to replicate their entire self. There is an opportunity and desire for individuality. It gives you the chance to provoke thought and develop your business behavior.

Consider the impact you might be able to influence as a role model for others. Consider what you’re modeling and how well it’s working, and then take a look at your public behavior and your behavior that isn’t in the public’s gaze. Then, you can create the type of role model you would like to become and start by ‘walking the talk.’ In this way, you will be an integral part of the changes you wish to see by displaying and promoting your abilities and attitudes, and behaviors to help drive change and encourage inclusion.

At Everywoman, we’ve developed a worldwide online community of businesswomen that showcases role models who inspire their personal stories and top practices that advance women in business worldwide. Through our customers, awards programs, resources, and even training, we’ve observed and learned about the huge impact the role model and supportive community can make on women’s voices being heard and unleashing their potential and potential in the business world.