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.