Words of Positivity
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Model

v.capable, thoughtfulprofessional

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.

Choose between these

9
  • everyday

    practice

    when consistently doing the behavior matters

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

  • everyday

    show

    when plain visible illustration is enough

    not when Show is broad and may involve display rather than lived example.

  • warm

    lead by example

    when a leader's own conduct supports the requested standard

    not when The phrase applies to leadership and can become a cliché without a concrete action.

  • warm

    set an example

    when conduct gives others a practical standard to follow

    not when The phrase can sound moralizing and may imply others should copy one style.

  • professional

    demonstrate

    when showing how something works is the direct action

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

  • professional

    illustrate

    when an example clarifies a principle or method

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

  • professional

    role-model

    when explicitly performing the function of a role model

    not when The hyphenated verb is less natural than model or set an example.

  • formal

    embody

    when a person or practice gives concrete form to a value

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

  • formal

    exemplify

    when conduct serves as a particularly clear instance of a quality

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

Said against

3
  • contradict
  • discourage
  • misrepresent

It naturally appears in

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.

Where this comes from

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.