In my professional life as an investment analyst, and indeed by current activities as independent business person, the need to make things up as you go along has meant that a firm reliance on one’s own ideas and creativity is absolutely paramount. I had not realised the need for role models until Pamela made me focus on the idea in one of her life coaching sessions. I have chosen three such role models – my late father, a Franciscan friar and a highly successful if controversial businessman.

My father was a (relatively minor) local government officer for most of his working life. The characteristics which made most impact on me were his absolute honesty and clear sense of fair play – in short intense personal integrity. No doubt too rigid an adherence to these principals can sometime prove a hindrance to worldly advancement but my father was his own man – and I admire that.

Brother Edward started his working life as a rather posh young officer in the British Army. He was one of the first British Soldiers to enter a notorious concentration camp at the end of the Second World War – an experience which led to him taking the Franciscan vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. His absolute passion and dedication to what he believed in, completely devoid of any artificial “holiness”, moved me greatly.

Michael O’Leary has become a well known public figure noted for the outspoken way in which he promotes his business. About nine years ago I led the marketing of the initial share issue of his airline RyanAir and got to know him reasonably well. I am sure that many readers will have their views concerning the man and his business but who can fail to be impressed by his exclusive and determined focus on developing his business.

I have absolutely no desire to be completely like any of my role models but, as you can see, I have identified three characteristics which I admire greatly. I certainly aspire to these characteristics and on good days might even get close to achieving one or two of them – integrity, passion and focus.

Initially when asked about role models people usually say 'oh, I don’t have any'... or I’ll have to think about it, a sure indicator that we’re tapping into the OTC or nmotivator. What follows this process is fascinating.

People are amazing, and their role models are rarely what you’d expect. It is some of the qualities which make the role models unique, but those very qualities are a reflection of your qualities or values, and I don’t know whose came first! I am currently researching psychic DNA or should I say the DNA of the psyche, not yet into the paranormal.