[transitive] to strongly influence the way someone's character, opinions, etc. develop mold somebody/something The experience had molded and colored her whole life. mold somebody/something into somebody/something He molded them into a winning team.

"Molded" is a metaphor for working in clay. You mold the clay into the shape you want. To mold a person's character is the same. It presumes you have sufficient influence on the subject to alter his/her character to what you think is a desirable one.

to shape something into a particular form: She molded the clay into little animals. Someone who molds someone else has an important influence on how that person develops: Parents help mold a child’s character.