The Qualities Role Models Should Have

Role models, in a way, are just another part of our society-they're human beings, like us. There's nothing magical about them, and they're just another small percentage of the 7.8 billion people that roam the Earth today. But what's so special about them that makes heads turn, that makes them stand out so much and able to change the lives of others? It's the qualities they carry-and these qualities, unlike the human bodies we're born with, don't come equipped with every person. They inspire others and people everywhere look up to them. They can change the world and the future of it, and maybe even how we approach the past. But this isn't so supernatural as well. You may even be able to find these qualities in yourself, and be able to use them for the better. It's just a matter of knowing what they are.

Role models would always have to start with the quality of passion. It gets them where they are today, it's the quality that got them moving in the first place, and it's the quality that helps them keeps pushing themselves further and reaching higher. The one thing that always gets your attention and makes someone stand out is the overwhelming amount of commitment they have. Perhaps it could be for a talent-a passion for the arts inspires other people to want to be as skillful, a passion for music can touch the hearts of those who hear it or a passion for almost everything else, from sports to cooking, shines through in your work without you even knowing. If you didn't have such enthusiasm for something, you wouldn't try to improve it or work on it. Because of passion, you can pick yourself up and keep moving, and find new ways to do things in order to reach your goal. This is why so many talented people are seen as role models. But this isn't the only form of passion. Passion can also be for a cause, or an argument. This can be a charity or an existing problem. The people we admire today for representing a cause is because they have so much dedication that they have gone above and beyond to represent and contribute to this cause. When you look at people you admire, you'll easily find that they have a strong passion that stands out, no matter who they are or what they are known for. Passion truly is the blueprint for every role model.

Empathy is also an underrated, yet just as important quality in a role model. A special thing about role models that sets them apart from the term 'celebrities' is that they are able to connect with their audience, whoever their audience is, and be able to relate to them and make them feel like they are just as similar as they are. This helps everyday people believe that they can achieve what the role model can and be able to push themselves as much, but this also means that the role model is able to touch others' hearts and help them understand more about themselves and their own qualities. And after all, it's a well known fact that when someone relates to you or is like you, you'll immediately like them more and be more inspired by them. It also means that role models are just as human as we all are and have their own fair share of challenges and obstacles, and what some of them have to go through sometimes.

Morality is also one of the qualities that every role model has. To be truly inspirational, cause some change in the world, or properly do your job as a role model, you have to do what you know is right no matter the consequences. True role models value justice and fair play. They don't put themselves above others or see anything differently when they become role models, in their head their only duty is to do what they know is good for others and sometimes even for themselves. And they also have to know what decisions and ethics should be prioritised and what benefits others the most. This may seem simple and obvious that not only role models but people in general should have this quality, but in today's society it can even be hard to find (people can value themselves more sometimes, or be more of a bystander). And when morality shines through a person, you'll know you can trust them and look up to them, and that they'll be able to do the right thing no matter what. Simple-but essential in a role model.

Passion, empathy and morality are some of the most crucial qualities of being a role model. You'll be able to find which people to trust and look up to when they have these qualities, and you'll see that  people you already look up to will have these qualities if they're worth admiring. But sometimes there's no need to be scrutinising others for these traits. Even you could become as inspirational if you can nurture or develop these characteristics in yourself, and who knows what you could be doing or the people that you could affect? All you have to believe in yourself, and that's the starting point for any role model.