I read or listened to an audiobook or podcast several months ago about selecting the right role models according to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. I took notes on my phone so these might be a bit rough.
Here are the 3 points to selecting the right role models
- Make sure your role model shares or has better core values than yourself
“It’s better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behaviors are better than yours and you’ll drift in that direction” – Warren Buffet (TWEET THIS LINK)
Would I ever choose an act by comedian Kevin Hart about staying in your financial lane over the wisdom of Warren Buffet? I do not think it is ever in your best interest to only hang out with people better than you. I think there is something to be said about hanging out with people that are alike who have similar beliefs as you to form that community and help each other grow.
Nowadays many people are more easily attracted to celebrities for various reasons (money, fame, looks) because of social media. Some of these celebrities might not have the best values. As people begin to glorify these actions, a piece of the sub conscious mind accept that behavior as the norm. For example, buying high end designer wear because of what you see on Instagram or Pinterest when you should be saving or paying off debt instead.
2. Can the role model help you assess difficult business decisions
For example, if you own a small business, then aiming for a similar role model will be much easier to find. If your role model is a public figure, then understandably that person is difficult to access in person. In that case read and learn as much as you possibly can about that person. The more you understand them and their thought process, the more you will an intuitive understanding of how that person acts and behaves. You can then apply that to your own daily life in assessing your own difficult decisions.
3. Can the role model take you and your ego out of the decision making process
An example of this is when you have two friends and one friend tells the other friend exactly what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear. You need to find that person who can tell you what you need to hear as opposed to what you want to hear. You must be open to suggestions, be calm, take it in, and sit and think about it. Improve your own ability to listen to what people are telling you and not become emotionally charged or defensive. You also need to seek that person who is comfortable giving you that advice.
