How do you learn from mentors who are different from you?

Recognize that each individual is unique, differences are natural when you have a new mentor. Identify your own learning style and adapt the strategies that align with your personalized approach to learning from your mentor. Comprehend your mentor's style and tailor those strategies to fit seamlessly with your own learning patterns.

Learning from mentors that are different from you can be quite interesting because: *You learn new concepts and techniques which you are not familiar with * You get to understand a different approach towards teaching *You gain more experience in teaching and this in turn makes you a better teacher

There are several lessons to learn from mentors who have a different point of view than you: First, always seek to understand what they believe and why. As is said "Seek first to understand, then to be understood" Second, determine if their point of view has value for you. For instance, I'm a teacher who does best without a thorough lesson plan, because I adapt to the needs of the students and my best teaching is extemporaneous. But, if I have a mentor who is a stickler for lesson planning, then I can work to see which parts of their methods could still help me. Third, you may need to agree to disagree. And if the two of you have too big of fundamental differences in philosophies, work to get a mentor who is more compatible.

Approach the mentorship relationship with an open mind and a willingness to learn from someone with different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Recognize that diversity in mentorship can offer unique insights and broaden your understanding.

Engage your mentor in meaningful conversations by asking thoughtful questions that encourage reflection and discussion. Explore topics such as their career journey, challenges they've faced, and lessons they've learned along the way.

??It's always good to acknowledge the questions phrased, rephrasing them for confirmation to allow successful dialogue and exchange. Start on a good footing as always by listening first.

??Once trust is established, our ideas may even offer new insights to others. Seek their opinion on the shared viewpoint or perspective and we may get better ideas on the nuances of the cultural context. Trust, acknowledge, rephrase, share, and finally seek feedback.

Actively seek feedback and guidance from your mentor on areas where you can improve and grow. Be receptive to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity for self-improvement.

A good question to ask is " what can I do next in order to be better tomorrow?" This is specific and offers a chance for the mentor to offer advice on any area of your work. It also shows that you are seeking to improve, which is a sign of a growth mindset and often highly valued.

Adapt the pace or level of techniques to suit your needs. Your mentor may have more experience than you, so adjust accordingly. Blend your mentor's approach with your own style instead of completely changing. Integrate new things gradually into your practice. View differences as an opportunity to grow, not a barrier. Approach learning with humility and avoid automatically rejecting ideas that differ from your own. Reflect on how your mentor's background shapes their mentoring. Differences in culture, gender, age, etc may inform their guidance. The key is balancing openness to a mentor's wisdom while still discerning how to best apply it to your own goals and context.

Introduce your mentor to new resources, tools, or methods you come across. Share anything you think could benefit them. Express specific appreciation for the time and energy your mentor has invested. Explicit gratitude goes a long way. Offer to take on tasks or projects that can alleviate workload for your mentor when possible. Check in periodically to learn about your mentor's current goals and challenges. Look for ways to support them. Share stories about your background, culture, generation, etc to build understanding. The key is reciprocating value, not just extracting value, from the mentoring relationship. Celebrating each other's growth fosters an enriching experience for both mentor and mentee.

This has been the most important aspect of my growth as a professional. I have never been shy of asking for anyone to stay in touch. Although less than 10% of the people have actually "helped" me in any meaningful manner, by asking for advice and help, I have gained knowledge that I would have otherwise never gotten. Social media platform such as LinkedIn has made it easier to ask for assistance and to stay in touch with them. I have learned so much from my diverse group of mentors, and I can't wait to meet new ones.

Identify mentors of different genders to get contrasting viewpoints. Connect with mentors who have various leadership styles - some collaborative and some direct. Look for mentors who have strengths in areas you want to develop, like technology, curriculum design, etc. Build relationships with extroverted mentors if you are introverted, and vice versa. Leverage online platforms to access mentors outside your immediate circle. Be proactive in asking respected leaders to mentor you. Many are happy to help emerging teachers. Periodically re-evaluate your roster of mentors as your needs evolve over time.