by Randy Speck (This is the 2nd of a five part series on the importance of character)
Benjamin Franklin referred to Jesus when he said, “As to Jesus of Nazareth…I think His system of morals…as he left them to us is the best the world has ever seen or is likely to see.”
It is impossible to teach young people, especially those in high school, without mentioning the idea of being a good example or role model. In schools all over the country, younger students spend a lot of waking hours looking at the seniors to follow their every move. In our offices, we look at someone who has been around for awhile and look to their example. We learn a great deal from the experiences of people around you. We all model those around us even if we don’t know we’re doing it. Kids model professional athletes, children model teenagers and adults model adults that they see in magazines or on the television. Modeling is how we learn in life.
Role models, in theory are the people we look up to. The ones we want to emulate, people we can learn things from, anyone who has anything to teach you on your journey to success. As a basketball coach, I had the privilege of working with some of the most successful people in the country. However, these coaches aren’t household names. You probably won’t see them on sportscenter, but to those who know the game, probably know many of these names. Garth Pleasant, head coach at Rochester College, is the second winningest active coach in the state of Michigan and has never had a gym in which to play home games. As a player, I saw his example on the court by leading us to successful winning seasons and off the court by leading us to hold clinics for under-privilege and mentally disabled kids. Mike Roller, who as a coach, holds the record for the longest winning streak in high school boys basketball. As a colleague, I saw his approach to minute details, as he left no stone unturned. As a man, I saw his example as a loving husband and father. Ernie Smith, who in 1986 was mentioned in Sports Illustrated for having won a basketball state championship and a baseball state championship in the same year. As an assistant under him, I learned the value of game preparation. As an observer, I learned the importance of being an example to your players.
It is my experience that so many people have things to teach you, if you are receptive to their teachings. The problem we run into sometimes, is that our pride gets in the way. Maybe we are learning from someone younger than we are. Rather than let our male pride imprison us, we should probably listen to what the person has to say. It might help our business. It might save us some money. It just might make us some money.
I believe our students are seeing role models in our teachers. I believe they see on a daily basis a strong example of leadership and certainly one to model. Our teachers spend time with our students and not only guide them in the direction they should go, but give them timely advice to avoid mistakes. We learn as much what not to do as we do what to do through our examples laid before us. I recently saw a quote that said, “He who learns of all men is wise.” We would be wise to recognize the examples placed before us.