Success By Association
If we say we want to be successful, rich, a champion or that we want to have a positive impact on others, then it makes sense that we should associate ourselves with others who have accomplished these goals. Some of the best lessons I've learned in life came from other people I knew. This is one of the reasons I looked up to Ed. He taught so many people (without even realizing it) what success really looked like, and motivated people to be their best self.
There's evidence that supports the belief that, who we are to a large degree, depends on who we hang out with. Parents are certainly aware of this as we are growing up. Who's heard a parent emotionally say, “What were you doing with them anyway?" or how about the classic, "If your friends jumped off a cliff, would you do that too?" No, kids, they're not trying to make fun of you. Parents have life experience and understand that peer pressure is real. People we look up to can have a scary amount of control over our actions; whether we realize it or not.
Having the ability to choose the type of people we associate with is a powerful thing. It no doubt has an impact on the type of person we are.