This week I have been thinking about role models in business? For me, these are inspirational people who have achieved what they intended. Women who are successful, and have pushed through challenge and created the kind of business, social enterprises and organisations that are innovative and cutting edge. In thinking of these influential, successful people it doesn’t stop at what they have created. There is larger element that to me is equally important, well actually for me it’s more so, and that’s who they are as people.

How do they treat others? Do they change with their success? Do they give back to the community? Do they help, support, mentor an upcoming generation of entrepreneurs that are coming up behind or are inspired by them?

There is a reason this is on my mind. I must preface this comment by saying; that I loathe our tall poppy syndrome in this country. Tearing people down for being successful, or a perceived ‘too big for their boots’ can be like a blood sport, I hate it and I certainly am not meaning that here.   In equal measure I am a little tired of unauthentic people who don’t walk their talk. Do you know people like that? A successful motivator who treats people badly, The calm yogi who yells at everyone. I have also noticed an element of successful role models who have no willingness to engage or give back in the communities that supported them from the beginning. There seems to be a real lack of generosity of time.

Who are your role models? Whom do you aspire to be like or wish to learn from? As you reach heights of success how will you treat others? Personally, I will always be saddened by the notion to be ruled solely by the pursuit of money and status.

I met a high profile woman from the media last year, who is wanting to make waves in the business world. She took me out to coffee and we chatted about her concept and potentially an alliance and how we could help each other. But by the end of the coffee, I realised she had no interest in any reciprocal support, she only wanted what I could bring to the table and push agendas only for her. In fact how she was operating was quite manipulative. I didn’t play and I let it go.

In contrast I was thinking the other day about Hugh Jackman. Here is an ‘A’ list actor/entertainer. An incredibly successful man, I have not had the pleasure of meeting him. He is renowned for being a gentleman, a ‘nice’ guy in the industry. My gut tells me he is the real deal, and what I noticed recently was how generous he was with his time. He appeared on all kinds of shows, even ones that weren’t huge raters. He didn’t sit in a studio and make everyone come to him, he clearly got out and about and seems genuinely interested in people.

People are human and I’m not suggesting people should mold to my expectations. If you’re an environmentalist activist though, with a best selling book, I think the expectation that you recycle is pretty much a given. If you’re winning accolades and writing books on leading great teams and your staff keep leaving as they are unhappy well I think there is a problem……

THAT said I don’t want to end on a negative note. There are some wonderful, local business leaders in our communities who are generous with their time and give back so much. Seek these people out, they are worth the time.

Love to hear your thoughts on role models who have helped you
Have a great week

Andy x