Tip of the month: Keeping an open mind

Every month, we share an expert tip on mentoring from one of the Moving Ahead team or faculty members. 

This month, Director of Programmes at Moving Ahead, Rebecca Davies, shares a tip on keeping an open mind when starting a mentoring programme or partnership for the first time.

“Participating in a formal mentoring programme can be daunting, especially when matched with someone outside your organisation. It's tempting to Google your match, potentially triggering an onslaught of biases: "I wanted a woman", "How can I possibly mentor them? They're amazing!" or even "I hoped for someone with a more similar lived experience. They won't understand..."

Starting a mentoring relationship with someone totally different from you can be challenging. However, this is often where the magic happens. Time and again, we witness profound positive changes, lightbulb moments, and bursts of creativity in these unexpected pairings.

My top tip is to take a deep breath and approach that first meeting with an open mind. Listen to each other's stories and find your sweet spot – that crossover where you can share and receive guidance. Remember, the most valuable insights often come from perspectives different from our own.”

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