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Model

v. capable, thoughtful professional

What it means

To demonstrate a behavior, process, or standard that others can observe and follow.

Reach for it when crediting example-setting through visible conduct rather than instruction alone

Senior staff model calm communication during emergency drills.

Words to choose between 9

By register, from playful at the top to literary at the bottom. Tap a word to see when it fits.
everyday
warm
professional
formal

  • everyday

    practice

    Fits when consistently doing the behavior matters

    Careful Practice does not necessarily make the behavior visible or teachable to others.

  • everyday

    show

    Fits when plain visible illustration is enough

    Careful Show is broad and may involve display rather than lived example.

  • warm

    lead by example

    Fits when a leader's own conduct supports the requested standard

    Careful The phrase applies to leadership and can become a cliché without a concrete action.

  • warm

    set an example

    Fits when conduct gives others a practical standard to follow

    Careful The phrase can sound moralizing and may imply others should copy one style.

  • professional

    demonstrate

    Fits when showing how something works is the direct action

    Careful A demonstration can be one-off and need not embody the behavior consistently.

  • professional

    illustrate

    Fits when an example clarifies a principle or method

    Careful Illustration can be hypothetical and does not require personal conduct.

  • professional

    role-model

    Fits when explicitly performing the function of a role model

    Careful The hyphenated verb is less natural than model or set an example.

  • formal

    embody

    Fits when a person or practice gives concrete form to a value

    Careful Embody is a stronger identity claim and need not help others reproduce the behavior.

  • formal

    exemplify

    Fits when conduct serves as a particularly clear instance of a quality

    Careful Exemplify describes being an example, not intentionally teaching through it.

Opposites 3

  • contradict
  • discourage
  • misrepresent

Common phrases 3

  • model behavior

    Adults model behavior even when they do not intend to teach.

  • model good practice

    The supervisor will model good practice before observing each trainee.

  • model respect

    Leaders model respect by answering the difficult question directly.

Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, California accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated