I'd define a role model as someone who helps the world in a repeatable way, i.e. if a lot of people were like the person, the world would be significantly improved.
I think the article, whether successfully or not, tries to show a definition more like that, no "perfection" involved.
A role model is someone who is a model for a role the follower wants to fill. The world doesn't really enter into it, unless the follower is looking to make the world better, as opposed to looking to become fabulously wealthy or inwardly peaceful or remembered for generations or experienced in everything or privy to a secret no one else would know or one of many other possible life goals.
I think the article, whether successfully or not, tries to show a definition more like that, no "perfection" involved.