I think you got lost at the part about having someone to look up to...

That's not what it should be, if I got it right.. More like, a door into your real self.
Since most people usually never act as their real self, they most likely won't get to know their real self. This is why having that person in your dream, and getting to know it, will help you become yourself.

It's not about pretending to be somebody else, it's about being you.

Also, could this be like a Create-A-Dream-Guide technique?