One of the greatest aspects of a mentoring partnership is the gift of taking time to learn from a mentor’s different experiences and perspectives. When we pause to view things from a different angle, it can re-frame both the challenge and solution.
The resources below provide rich perspectives on both how to effectively shift our view, and the powerful results which come from that focus.
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands, but in seeing with new eyes.”
-Marcel Proust
A mentee had recently changed jobs and was extremely frustrated with the lack of structure, support, and organization at her new company. Our discussions initially addressed her discouragement and regrets. I encouraged her to view the disorganization as an opportunity. Our conversations evolved to discussing how it could be vs. merely how it was.
Instead of lamenting her situation, she began to visualize a plan to make a positive impact on the environment. Her new perspective now gave her a purpose, not merely a job. The same atmosphere existed, but she utilized her core value of positivity to visualize being part of something great, not merely surviving. Same situation, but now a new perspective and exciting vision.
Ignore the conflict and focus on the collaboration that it fosters. A failing infrastructure is an opportunity for strategic innovation. It is important to remember that our perspective is what makes ‘who we are’ much more valuable than merely “what we do.” Five years later she is thriving in her role as a senior leader in the company.
Learn More about the Importance of Expanding Your Perspective and Why it Matters
Why You Think You’re Right Even if You’re Wrong
Learn to look at different sides of a situation
Watch Julia Galef's TED TalkWeird, or Just Different?
Global examples of different ways of looking at things
Watch Derek Sivers's TED TalkLearning from Leadership's Missing Manual
Global charities that are creating change by seeing things differently
Watch Fields Wicker-Miurin's TED TalkSwitch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard
On making change happen
Read Switch by Chip and Dan HeathWhat would help you to reframe a problem that currently challenges you?
What is one question that was asked of you that helped you see things differently?