Imitation plays a fundamental role in the formation of the human person. It is one of the earliest modes of learning. From the very first days and throughout their development, children acquire a certain number of motor and cognitive abilities, and then relational abilities, through the experience of intersubjectivity. Through imitation, the individual gradually forges his or her identity: he or she assimilates an aspect, a property or an attribute of the other and transforms himself or herself wholly or partially on the model of the other. The personality is formed and differentiated by a series of identifications. This process takes place in a specific social and cultural context. It is in itself a process of cultural transmission.

Like any human society, companies also produce their own dynamics of imitation and identification. These are deep-rooted cultural processes which, often unconsciously, standardise types of behaviour and practices, as well as models of success and discriminatory processes.

Because they have a decisive impact on motivating men and women to project themselves in a certain professional direction, Happy Men & Women Share More is now looking at companies’ role models, i.e. its models of success and the way in which they are embodied.

● First, we will look at how traditional role models are being disowned by a growing number of employees, particularly women.

● We will then discuss the need to diversify success models in order to inspire more people.

● Finally, we will put forward ideas for concrete action to showcase diversified modes of success within companies.