“The best thing I did was to choose the right heroes.” — Warren Buffett
We become like those we admire. The people we look up to, study, and try to emulate shape not just our professional skills but our character and values. This makes the choice of heroes one of our most important decisions.
In professional development, we often focus on technical skills or industry knowledge, but selecting the right role models might be more important than any degree or certification. Who do you admire in your field? What qualities do they demonstrate that you want to develop? How are you actively learning from their examples?
The best heroes aren’t perfect people – they’re people who embody the qualities we want to develop. Maybe it’s a colleague who handles difficult conversations with grace, a leader who maintains integrity under pressure, or a mentor who balances professional success with personal values. The key is being intentional about who influences our thinking and behavior.
This principle extends to the relationships we build. We’re not just choosing colleagues or networking contacts; we’re choosing influencers. The people we spend time with, whose opinions we value, whose behaviors we observe, they’re all shaping who we become. This makes relationship choices incredibly important for our development.
The beauty of choosing heroes is that it gives us a clear direction for growth. Instead of trying to improve in every area simultaneously, we can focus on developing the specific qualities we admire in others. We can study their approaches, ask for their advice, and use them as benchmarks for our own development.
But choosing heroes also requires discernment. We need to look beyond surface success to understand the character and methods that create sustainable achievement. The flashiest or most famous people aren’t always the best role models. Sometimes the most valuable heroes are those whose quiet competence and integrity inspire us to be better.
Who are your professional heroes, and what are you learning from them? The choice matters more than you might think.
Happy Networking!
P.S. – My first heroes – that is, my parents, Charlene and Max Muller – are still the heroes I choose today. Thanks, Mom and Pa.