The Power of Role Models - A Guide for Young Professionals

As young professionals, we're often juggling career-building, impossible expectations and the general chaos of adulting—all while trying to look like we have it together on LinkedIn.

During these times when your coffee intake exceeds your sleep hours, role models  become your secret weapon—those impressive humans whose journeys make you think, "I want some of whatever they're having!"

I'm Kingsley Johnson, founder of Kinetic People Development, and trust me, I wasn't born wearing a business suit and spouting career wisdom. My journey has been shaped by some pretty remarkable role models—from my karate-chopping dad to football legends who could bend it like Beckham before Beckham was even a thing.

Long before Instagram influencers were telling us how to live our best lives, my parents, Sonia and Kingsley, were my original content creators. My dad, Kingsley Johnson Senior, holds a 6th Dan black belt in karate—which meant teenage rebellion at our house was brief and remarkably unsuccessful. My mother, Sonia, was a netball player and sprinter who could probably still outrun me today if I skipped my morning green tea.

From childhood, they taught me that balancing work, sport and play isn't just important—it's how you avoid becoming that person who only talks about spreadsheets at dinner parties. Sport became my classroom where I learned that falling on your face (sometimes literally) is just part of the journey to success.

Growing up in London, I had Panini sticker books and plastered my bedroom walls with football legends like Ian Wright, Pele, Maradona and Marco van Basten. My friends thought I was just sports-obsessed—little did they know I was assembling my personal board of directors.

I still remember watching John Barnes score that stunning goal on TV against Brazil in the Maracaná in 1984. While everyone else was spilling their snacks in excitement, I was having an existential moment: "That man just ran through an entire defense like they were traffic cones. I need this energy for my math exam."

I practiced football in all weather conditions—rain, shine or the peculiar British weather that's somehow both at once. While I never made it professionally (spoiler alert: most of us don't), these athletes taught me that persistence means showing up even when the only spectator is your neighbour’s confused cat.

My athletic career expanded beyond football into karate (following Dad's footsteps) and middle-distance running (following my dream of one day catching the bus I just missed). These sports taught me valuable lessons:

• The ability to smile confidently while being completely out of breath

• That "giving 110%" is mathematically impossible but motivationally essential

• How to look graceful while falling (hint: it's all in the landing)

• The art of appearing thoughtful when you're actually just exhausted

Leaving London for university in Brighton was my first big adventure—like a reality show where a city kid confronts concepts like "reasonable rent prices" and "beaches that aren't just concrete." For someone whose navigation skills were limited to the London Underground map, this was quite the plot twist.

University quickly taught me that:

• Making friends as an adult requires more effort than just sharing your snacks

• Your laundry doesn't magically do itself (a shocking revelation)

• Four-hour lectures and four-hour Netflix sessions require vastly different attention spans

• The notorious 'fresher's spread' happens to everyone, despite your ambitious fitness plans

Post uni, I discovered that the professional world has its own unofficial hierarchy—from "knows how to fix the printer" to "has a secret stash of good pens." Working with diverse teams taught me crucial balancing acts:

• Nodding thoughtfully during meetings while mentally planning dinner

• The art of sending emails that sound professional even when written at 2 AM

• Maintaining a poker face when someone asks, "Can you stay late tonight?"

• The delicate science of coffee consumption: enough to function, not enough to vibrate

My mentors showed me that leadership isn't just about impressive titles and corner offices—it's about inspiring others even on days when you can't find matching socks.

Now as the founder of Kinetic People Development, I've come full circle—from the kid practicing football in the rain to the adult who still occasionally gets caught in the rain because I ignore weather forecasts. I partner with clients who are on their own journeys, helping them elevate their performance while occasionally reminding them that yes, imposter syndrome happens to everyone—even to that colleague who seems to have life figured out.

A Message for Young Professionals (No, Really, You Should Read This Part)

If you're feeling overwhelmed, uncertain or wondering if your career path resembles a game of Snakes and Ladders more than a straight line to success, remember this: Role models are your cheat codes to the game of life. They've already survived the levels you're currently struggling with.

Actually Useful Action Steps:

1. Find role models who inspire you—preferably ones who are still alive and answering emails

2. Reach out—most successful people love sharing wisdom (and occasionally humble-bragging about their journey)

3. Study their failures—because that highlight reel on LinkedIn doesn't show the 37 times they messed up first

4. Apply their wisdom—but maybe test it on small decisions before reorganising your entire life

5. Embrace discomfort—growth rarely happens in your comfort zone (or while binge-watching your favourite show)

Embrace your journey—detours, speed bumps and unexpected plot twists included. Aim high. Never stop learning. And remember that even your role models probably have days when they can't remember if they shampooed their hair twice in the shower.

The best is yet to come. (And yes, that includes better coffee in the office kitchen.)

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Kingsley Johnson is the founder of Kinetic People Development, helping professionals achieve their highest potential while occasionally reminding them it's okay to not have all the answers!