"Yes indeed he is my role model, I now headslap people when they act stupidly and I love bourban now (Switched from Scotch and Irish Whisky)."

"Great topic, Margy, if you believed the hype about Gibbs, his "meanness"...well look at what DiNozzo said to the interns in Worst Nightmare...if you believed that tripe than you'd be way surprised at what a wonderful mentor/role model he is. He BARKS and he BITES but if you ever need him, he's right there....and he'll be teaching you while he's saving your a##. "

"Actually, Tony never called Gibbs mean. Ziva told them that Gibbs was not fond of outsiders - which is true. Tony said that he was not going to like them and they weren't going to like him - name one intern or someone who has worked with the team in a learning capacity - who Gibbs has liked from the very beginning or who has liked him at first. Later on, yes but not at first.

He's gonna walk up and stand behind me and make me regret it - how many time has that happened. He said Gibbs was not friendly which is true - at no time did he call Gibbs mean. The snake slithering behind him metaphor was over the top but other than that - everything he and Ziva said about Gibbs was true. However, it does seem that Gibbs is changing and has a more open mind about allowing outsiders in.

You are right about Gibbs always being there for the people he cares about - and if someone in my family were in the Navy and something happened to them, I would want someone who really cares about getting justice - like Gibbs - to work the case. If my boss would care about me as much as Gibbs does about his people and be as protective as Gibbs is then I don't think I would mind the barking that Gibbs does - especially once I got to know him better.

Yeah, Gibbs may have his flaws, as everyone does - but I love the man to death."

"I can agree on work related issues that he is a great role model, but his bedside manner..so to speak..is not always pleasant and often rude."

"Is Gibbs "rude", or just actually "highly focused" on the job at hand...getting a case solved as quickly as possible? I think it's kind of unfair to label him "rude" because he's just doing his job and trying to keep everyone else as focused as he is. He still has his "lighter" moments *smiling*."

"Well, yes he is rightly focused, but I still feel he is " too abrupt" and can be to much "too the point". He often cuts people off from saying what they had ready to tell him anyway, without him having a swipe at them. They too have been about to do something, or had started to do something when he jumps on them for as well. I know he is eager and thorough in his work, but sometimes a team members efforts or "already on it" appear to be oblivious to him. I think at times this makes the team member feel they are not doing their job right, when in fact they are. Don't get me wrong, I love Gibbs...but.."

"Hi UI! I agree with you about Gibbs "wishes". And, I agree that whether he enjoys the tag of "role model" or not, teachers tend to serve as role models, and that's exactly what Gibbs is...a teacher/role model for his team. Oddly, however, Gibbs doesn't "exactly" teach anyone anything...he only leads by "example". That was how Franks "taught" him, and that's how he "teaches" his team. Can he make mistakes? Sure! But, by and large, his team reflects some very positive results over the course of time. I'm glad we agree about it *smiling*."

"Anyone who wants to be a role model, in my opinion is immediately unsuitable. LOL. Ego ever so slightly out of control.

As Mona92 said, the best role models are those who lead or teach by example."