I'm presuming the "being yourself" self is of inspiration worthy
   material, thereby engendering becoming an effortless role model.

   If you're not inspiration worthy material, then while you can
   strive to improve yourself for the sake of others, it's not
   necessary. You can strive to improve yourself for yourself - to
   MAKE YOURSELF inspiration worthy by helping yourself gain the
   qualities - ... and simply existing and engaging with people
   will provide all the affordance necessary for a role-model
   situation to come forth.

   Or... "If you want to improve the world, improve yourself" just
   without the 'if you want to improve the world" part.