Taking on the Shortage of Professional Role Models

Across all sectors of our society, what we are witnessing is a shortage of people willing to take on leadership roles in business, philanthropy, and politics. A major reason why we are seeing this continuing pattern is because we do not know which influential leaders to emulate. 

Nearly a decade ago, we became aware of the research showing that most workers do not wish to be promoted to a leadership role. There are many reasons why workers are reluctant, including burnout, stress, and a shift in priorities where people have come to realize they wish to work to live rather than the alternative of living to work. No matter the reason, we are still seeing the new research capture this sentiment.

One reason that is perhaps not discussed enough is a shortage of professional role models, which poses significant challenges for aspiring professionals looking for inspiration and guidance to achieve their full potential. This absence of motivational and effective leaders to look up to help determine whether people desire to seek out leadership positions themselves. Without these mentors and positive examples of successful leadership, people might not strive to become managers and leaders. 

Perhaps it is not a lack of role models, but rather we are having difficulty identifying them. In a media environment with a bombardment of individuals declaring themselves as a breakthrough entrepreneur or leading visionary, it is hard to decipher who has truly inspired others into action. There is so much information out in the digital space we don’t see the individuals who have really cracked the code on how to inspire others.

As a society, we are hungry for these role models. And we want to learn from their stories of how they have discovered a breakthrough strategy for influencing others. 

Having access to these kinds of case studies is an essential part of learning and professional development. This is why The Communications Board has teamed up with the nationally-recognized digital creative agency, Social Driver, for our new Chief Influencer initiative.

Chief Influencer was created to honor the remarkable individuals that have discovered the secret sauce to being influential and inspiring others in their industries. The initiative names Chief Influencers, leaders spanning fields from diplomacy and public service to business and the arts, who stand out in their ability to influence and inspire others. Based on the unique strategies and tactics they employ, each Chief Influencer is extended an invitation for their story to be showcased on the Chief Influencer podcast.

Produced in collaboration with The George Washington University College of Professional Studies, this initiative serves as an example of what other professional development institutions and companies with robust professional training programs can do to help build a better pipeline of future leaders. 

Let's bring the power of storytelling to our business case studies in developing our professional learning programs. Every case study we share has limitless potential to inspire others and can help usher in a much-needed new perspective of what true leadership is. 

This commentary was written by Robert Krueger, an executive director for The Communications Board. 

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