personal branding

I’ve read where people are pissed that Tiger Woods isn’t a role model for kids anymore.

This is such crap. WE assign the label of role model for our kids and we enforce the belief that kids should in fact be watching their every step. As if doing so reliquishes our need to guide and instruct our youths and become a true role model.

Kobe, Tiger, Bill Cosby, President Clinton and David Letterman. They fell into that role model category that made us all so “dissapointed” when their star took a hit.

Too much emphasis is on these people as role models – as a person. All we ever get to see, with the exception of the random online gossip column, photo & video, is their pre-packaged, pristine image as they do the one thing that helped them achieve A-list status. Winning championships, humaniratian efforts and daily performances are all respectable items – and the arduous task of how they acheived their superstar status is what should be lauded.

The passion for their mission is respectable. The drive to become tops in their category and their daily grind is respectable. But don’t look for these people to become your guidepost as the perfect role model for either you or your kids.

In the case of Tiger Woods, he’s the best the game has ever seen. He’s intense. Does it really come as a shock to anyone that he had multiple girlfriends? I’m actually shocked he didn’t have more. Of course what he did is not right, but the average person on the street can’t even begin to pretend to walk in his shoes.

Admire the superstar efforts that went into making them your idol. Don’t set yourself up for dissapointment when your role model does something “shocking” just because you have elevated them to deity status in your mind.

They’re people just like you and me. People who make mistakes.

Would love to hear your thoughts…

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