Who Are You Modeled After?

The foundations of the world will be shaky until the moral props are restored. - Anne O’Hare McCormick

Where are today’s leaders? Who are our role models in the twenty-first century? It used to be evident to many of us who looked up to George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, FDR, and JFK. They were all conscientious leaders and men of honor.

It was a no-brainer for us to admire Captain America (the admirable values imbued by Stan Lee in his fictional character), Harriet Tubman, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Susan B. Anthony, and Rosa Parks. The women, men, and fictional characters mentioned were all those of substance and extraordinary heroism.

You may have noticed, though, that my choices offer inherent cynicism. All the leaders and role models I mentioned are either long since passed or are fictional characters. There is a good reason for this. Time has vetted all of them, and - even though many had apparent flaws, as all human beings do – their conviction to great principles and admirable ethics far outweighed their personal indiscretions. FDR and JFK, for example, both had extramarital affairs. They were great American leaders and role models, nonetheless. We admire their strengths and disavow where they may have fallen short. We don't necessarily buy the whole package.

The Need for People We Should Want to Be Like

We need great leaders and role models more than ever these days. They are increasingly more difficult to find. The media and social media have made it so that very few can escape being tarnished by their constant reporting and incessant commentary. Some accurate. Most unreliable. Often, a great deal absurd.

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Most of us have retreated to accepting our parents as the only role models in our lives. We DO get most of our values from them. But they are our parents, and we try not to be too critical of them – even if they may have taught us some undesirable traits. Perhaps they are responsible for the racism and intolerance some choose to adhere to. They may have even encouraged criminality in others. They are our parents. We freely accept them as role models - at face value.?

We can all agree that the infamous outlaw Ma Barker could have been a much better role model for her notorious "gang" of children. Parents who abandon their children at a young age are not the best role models, either. And there have been far too many of them in the last half-century.

No. We all need noteworthy and vetted role models to look up to as mentors and guides for living respectable and successful lives. We also need better leaders to follow and emulate, as well. General George S. Patton led his men to great victories, but he wasn’t always a man of tolerance, ethics, and overall integrity. He was tough, but he wasn't embraceable. Great leaders must lead with integrity, understanding, and compassion. Be careful who you choose to follow.

Moral Conviction and Ethics Must Go Hand in Hand.

Moral conviction and ethics are two sides of the same coin that play a crucial role in shaping our behavior and decision-making. While moral conviction refers to our beliefs about right and wrong, ethics studies ethical principles and values that guide our actions.

A robust moral conviction can help us stay true to our values and hold ourselves accountable for our actions. It can also inspire us to act with integrity and empathy towards others, even in challenging situations.

On the other hand, ethics provides a framework for making ethical decisions and resolving moral dilemmas. It helps us to consider the consequences of our actions and to balance competing interests and values.

Moral conviction and ethics can help us cultivate a solid moral compass and make ethical decisions that align with our values and principles. They can also help us build trust and respect in our personal and professional relationships and contribute to a more just and ethical society.

Choose who you admire and follow carefully, and more importantly, make it your lifelong goal to become someone others admire and seek to follow.??

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Marc LeVine is a graduate of Syracuse (NY) University with a degree in Industrial Psychology, Marc is currently Talent Acquisitions Manager at Thermo Systems. He is the recipient of the Excellence in Talent Acquisitions Award from HR Awards in 2021.

Marc's prior employment includes senior Human Resources and Staffing Industry management roles with Edgewood Properties in Piscataway, NJ, Brickforce Staffing in Edison, NJ, InfoPro Inc. in Woodbridge NJ and Plainsboro, NJ and Harvard Industries in Farmingdale, NJ, a former Fortune 500 company. He also served as Director of Human Resources for New Jersey Press, the parent company of the Asbury Park Press, Home News and Tribune and WKXW-NJ101.5. Earlier in his career, Marc served as Director of Career Services and Placement at Union Technical Institute in Eatontown and Neptune, NJ. In addition, Marc owned and operated Integrity Consulting Associates, a New Jersey based Human Resources and Social Media Marketing firm for 11 years. Marc also served as Council President in his hometown of Freehold Borough, NJ