What Would Don Draper Do?

I’m a little conflicted on the topic of “role models.” On one hand, I think it’s important for people to have something (even if it is a “someone”) to hold up and admire—to have something to shoot for. Then again, those who are truly great never seem to be standing in the shadow of someone else, they are unique. Otherwise why would they stand out?

I also think that it’s dangerous to hold anyone up too high, because people are fallible and in the end they will usually end up letting you down.

I’ve had a few role models in my time, and I’ve outgrown most of them. There are a few exceptions, though the gallery of people I truly and deeply admire seems to shrinks with each passing day. Maybe I’m too hard on people, perhaps I except too much.

Recently something rare has happened to me—I have acquired a new role model. I didn’t even realize that it had happened until tonight. To be brief (and rather secretive) I had half-heartedly arranged to do something with someone after work this week. It was one of those deals where I was invited to do something as a sort of afterthought. I reluctantly accepted this invitation, but when the time came to let this person know that I wasn’t going after all, I did what I normally do—I panicked.

The phone rang and I chose to ignore it, hoping said person would just sort of “get the hint.” Then something strange happened, I thought about Don Draper. And I asked myself: “What would Don Draper do?”

When the phone rang again a few moments later I picked up the phone, and with honesty and tact I told said individual that I didn’t feel like going. I even suggested someone else this person could contact to take my place. This is not something that I would do. I’m very squeamish when it comes to these social intricacies. But I looked deep within myself and there was Don Draper.

“Dapper Dan” I like to call him.

You’ve never heard of Don Draper? He’s a character on the AMC television drama MAD MEN. He’s a cool, suave Manhattan Advertising Executive who dresses impeccably and seems to exude both confidence and sexuality at all times. He’s a lion of a man—both powerful and honorable. While his colleges participate in frat-house antics and publicly degrade their female co-workers—Dapper Don is busy following a strict personal code of ethics.

In an age where people like Sarah Palin throw around terms like “maverick,” Don Draper stands above all others as a pillar of originality and is the perfect embodiment of the self-made man. Beholden to no one, his 1960s world is in a state of utter chaos. Black is white and up is down. The world is changing politically, socially, racially, and economically. Many of the characters on MAD MEN have trouble finding their equilibrium. But you can bet your sweet ass Don Draper can still find his footing. That’s because he doesn’t look to others or anywhere outside of himself for balance—Don Draper finds his center from within.

And that is the secret to his success. And that is why he nails every woman he sees.

Sure, Draper has his faults. He isn’t perfect. And yet, despite his imperfections he manages to stay true to himself. Sometimes he veers slightly off course, but in the end Draper succeeds at being himself—all of the time. Draper simply does the only thing he know how: he does the best he can with what he has 100% of the time. He is honest (not always with others, but always with himself) and daring in everything he does.

How many of us can say that?

From now on whenever I get “stuck” in life I’m going to ask these five words: “What would Don Draper do?”

NOTE: If you aren’t watching MAD MEN you are doing yourself a great disservice. It is the finest television series I have ever seen. Period.