National Set a Good Example Day

While it’s often easy to see all of the people in the world who are causing harm or are not living up to what they could be, this event is a time to pay special attention to those role models and influencers who are doing a great job!

National Set a Good Example Day is here to bring acknowledgement to those folks who live their lives in a way that is inspiring and encouraging to those around them.

And it also acts as a gentle reminder to everyone that they can do their part to make the world a better place.

How to Celebrate National Set a Good Example Day

Looking for ideas on how to live honorably on National Set a Good Example Day and all throughout the year? Get started with a few of these ideas:

Honor Good Examples in the Community

Educators, community leaders, government agencies, employers and so many others can get involved with National Set a Good Example Day by hosting a banquet or ceremony where awards are given out in honor of solid example setters.

From mentors for youth programs to people who go above and beyond in the service industry, this is just the day to say thanks to all of those unsung heroes!

Set a Good Example

From picking up litter to holding open a door for someone else, setting a good example is all about doing the right thing no matter who might be looking.

Parents, teachers, youth workers and others who work directly with kids have important jobs, but it’s the work of everyone in the community to live their lives in a manner that reflects what it means to be a good citizen.

Get Ideas from The Way of Happiness

Check out the myriad of resources available online from the founders of this event, The Way of Happiness organization. This is also based on a book of the same name, written by L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology.

In honor of National Set a Good Example Day, consider some of the more than twenty precepts of the program, including:

Treating others the way they want to be treated
Seeking out a life of truth
Following the laws of the land
Safeguarding and improving the environment

National Set a Good Example Day is just one example of some exciting days that celebrate positivity and good role models in communities.

History of National Set a Good Example Day

The inaugural celebration of National Set a Good Example Day took place in 2022 when the event was founded through the work of the folks at The Way to Happiness Foundation.

The Way to Happiness Foundation is a non-profit organization that promotes a non-religious moral code that is based entirely on common sense with the purpose of restoring integrity and trust to society.

And their founding of Set a Good Example Day is just one of the ways this group seeks to impact the world around them!

Facts About National Set a Good Example Day

Everyday Role Models Can Shift Youth Behavior

Psychologists have found that young people are strongly influenced by the everyday examples they see, not just by celebrities or formal leaders.

A long‑running British study of more than 15,000 children found that those who reported warm, involved parenting and consistent role modeling of good behavior at age 10 were significantly less likely to engage in antisocial or delinquent behavior by age 16, even after accounting for income and neighborhood disadvantage.

Good Examples Spread Through “Social Contagion”

Researchers studying kindness and cooperation have shown that prosocial actions are contagious in social networks.

In controlled experiments, when one person in a group chose to act generously, others were two to three times more likely to behave generously in later rounds, and this ripple effect extended up to three “degrees of separation” to people who never saw the original act.

Visible Community Service Boosts Local Trust

Sociologists who study civic life have documented that visible acts of volunteering and community service can strengthen neighborhood trust.

Analyses from the U.S. Current Population Survey show that communities with higher rates of local volunteering report higher levels of interpersonal trust and informal social control, which are linked to lower crime rates and better outcomes for youth.

Teachers’ Behavior Shapes Students’ Honesty

Classroom research has found that students closely watch how teachers behave, especially when it comes to rules and fairness.

In one study of elementary schools, students whose teachers consistently modeled honesty, admitted their own mistakes, and treated rules as applying to everyone were significantly less likely to cheat on tests than students in classes where teachers bent rules or showed favoritism.

Parents’ Everyday Conduct Predicts Children’s Civic Engagement

Longitudinal work on civic development shows that what parents do often matters more than what they say.

An American study that followed adolescents into early adulthood found that teens whose parents regularly voted, volunteered, or discussed news at home were more likely to vote, volunteer, and join community groups themselves years later, even when the young adults no longer lived with their parents.

Prosocial Behavior Benefits the Giver’s Well‑Being

Setting a good example can improve the giver’s health as well as the recipient’s. A large analysis of 40 studies on volunteering found that people who regularly gave their time to help others had lower mortality rates, reported less depression, and scored higher on life satisfaction than non‑volunteers, even after researchers adjusted for income, education, and baseline health.

Children Learn Fairness by Watching Adults Handle Small Moments

Developmental psychologists have shown that even toddlers pay attention to how adults share, wait their turn, and respond to unfairness.

Experiments using simple games found that children as young as three years old were more likely to share fairly with peers after observing an adult divide resources evenly and explain their choice, suggesting that everyday “small” examples powerfully shape children’s sense of justice.

National Set a Good Example Day FAQs

How do role models actually influence behavior in children and adults?

Research in psychology shows that people often learn social and moral behavior through observational learning, where they watch others and then imitate what they see rewarded or respected.

Children are especially sensitive to adult role models, but adults are also influenced by peers, leaders, and public figures; studies suggest that prosocial examples, such as acts of kindness or honesty, can increase similar behavior in observers by making those actions seem normal, valued, and achievable.

Is leading by example more effective than using rules or punishment alone?

Many education and parenting experts note that clear rules and consequences are important, but they are more effective when adults consistently model the behavior they expect.

When there is a gap between what adults say and what they do, children tend to copy the behavior they observe rather than the rules they are told, which is why consistent role modeling is often described as the foundation of character education.

Can small everyday actions really make a difference in a community’s culture?

Studies on prosocial behavior and kindness suggest that even small acts, such as helping a stranger or expressing gratitude, can create a ripple effect by improving mood, increasing trust, and encouraging others to “pay it forward.”

Over time, repeated small examples shape what people in a group see as normal, which can gradually shift a community’s expectations around respect, cooperation, and civic responsibility.

What are some common misconceptions about being a “good example”?

A frequent misconception is that setting a good example requires grand or heroic gestures, when in reality consistent, ordinary behaviors such as keeping promises, treating service workers respectfully, or following local laws often have more impact.

Another misconception is that only parents or formal leaders count as role models; research on social influence shows that peers, older siblings, coworkers, and even casual acquaintances can significantly affect others’ choices by the way they behave.

Do positive role models work the same way across different cultures?

Anthropologists and cross-cultural psychologists observe that every society uses role models to pass on values, but the traits that are emphasized can differ.

In some cultures, good examples focus on obedience and respect for elders, while others highlight independence or speaking up against unfairness; despite these differences, the basic process is similar, with children and adults watching respected people and adjusting their behavior to fit what is admired in their group.

How can workplaces use role modeling to strengthen ethics and professionalism?

Organizations that want ethical behavior usually combine formal policies with visible examples from managers and senior staff, because employees tend to mirror what they see rewarded in practice.

Ethics and management research indicates that leaders who admit mistakes, follow rules themselves, treat staff fairly, and show respect in daily interactions make codes of conduct more credible and reduce the risk of misconduct spreading through a team.

What role do kindness and generosity play in setting a good example for mental health?

Psychological studies have found that people who notice and perform acts of kindness often experience higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction, and observers may also feel more hopeful and connected.

By modeling generosity, individuals not only support others but also signal that compassion is valued, which can encourage healthier social ties and provide emotional benefits to both the giver and those who witness or receive the kind act.