International Men’s Day - What makes a good role model?

In recognition of International Men’s Day, we asked our Head of Learning & Development, Dom Bruno to share his thoughts on what makes a good role model, his professional heroes and how he feels the concept of role models have changed over recent years.

What do you think makes a good role model?

There’s an old saying to the tune of ‘People that desperately want to lead – probably shouldn’t’. 

In many ways I think the same could (and should) apply to the idea of role models.  I suspect really good role models don’t set out to be GOOD ROLE MODELS – but rather focus on simply trying to be better at whatever it is they are passionate about (be it work, academics, sport, etc.).

It is through this channelling of their energies and passions into this process of improvement that they become the best type of role model - almost an accidental one - to those around them as they are seen to be truly leading by example (warts and all).

I worry that when people DELIBERATELY set themselves up to be role models – the ego starts to get too involved and things start to get distorted.  There can be the temptation to hide a lot of the challenges and ugliness they have faced for fear it will make them look weak or ineffective.  Which while might make a pretty story, doesn’t translate into something that is practically helpful for other to grow from.  Good role models aren’t afraid to share their struggles as well as their successes.

Another way of saying this I guess would be that a good role model should be unashamedly self-aware: “Here is what I am good at (and how I got good at it).  Here is what I am bad at, and how I am trying to fix it.” There is beauty and hope in those types of stories.

Who are your professional inspirations and heroes?

From a showmanship perspective I have a total man-crush on Simon Sinek, and I don’t care who knows.  It’s to the extent that I try not to read anything about his real life as I am afraid that I might discover something awful about him which would make me sad.

My biggest professional inspiration however is my archaeology Professor RG Matson. 

A big focus for him was the concept of the Archaeologist as the ‘Jack of All Trades, and Master of None’ -  Don’t worry about doing little things perfectly, but rather relish how much you can achieve if you just dive in with some tools and try stuff out. 

So many of his classes consisted of just a problem to solve, with yourself armed with nothing more than a couple of articles to read and complete freedom in your approach to a solution.  It was something that really clicked with me as a wonderful approach to both learning and bolstering one’s own confidence in their abilities – and something that I still carry with me today. Whenever I hit a problem, I grab a couple of articles off the internet and know that I will be able to work something out!

(Though I am sure those that work with me would wish that I perhaps focused on being a bit more perfect at times….)

How do you feel role models have changed over recent years?

More balance. I know that it’s International Men’s Day, but as the proud dad of two young girls, I am excited to see the scope of positive female role models from all areas and walks of life that they have to look up too. It is staggering compared to what my generation of female friends had when growing up.

But even regardless of the role model’s gender - the role model themselves seem more balanced. The sports role models can be smart, the academic role models sporty. I feel (Influencers aside – those people are awful), real role models these days share a more genuine reflection of the human experience rather than being presented as one trick ponies (i.e. either goth, nerd, or jock).

Not that any of this is perfect, and there are plenty that still play to role expectations / stereotypes - but it seems a lot better that it used to be.