In life we live and work with people who have divergent lenses, they see it differently from us and differently from each other. This can be very frustrating, and demands thought.
That divergence can be looked at in multiple ways. For example, I value the divergent lenses on my grade-level team. The more I work with the many teachers and assistants on the team, the more I value their unique and professional ways of looking at teaching, learning, and life. I learn so much from the way they interpret the job, create learning experiences, and make decisions. I don't think I could ever happily return to the one-teacher-one-classroom model after experiencing this rich opportunity for collaboration and teaching/learning success.
I feel the same way about many people in my personal life--they bring my life such richness and positive challenge because they think and see so differently than I do.
There are times though where divergence is a struggle. You wonder, Why can't he/she see it my way? and Why do they see it the way they do? An initial reaction may be to try to change a person's perspective or focus to your way of thinking or you might mistakenly interpret their decisions via your lens rather than using empathy to see it from their point of view, experience, or goals.
When this happens, I think it's best to take a giant step backwards to a place of reflection and observation--reflection and observation centered on understanding that thinker/doer who is so different from you. After that, if it matters, you need to think about how to harmonize your vision/perspective with that person's way of seeing the world and making decisions. As I've been saying a lot lately, find the promise in the problem that divergence can bring. When is this promising, and when does it require a different approach or reaction.
Just because you live in the same house, work at the same business, recreate in similar ways, or share common goals doesn't mean you'll think the same way, instead we all know that very different perspectives and lenses can exist in close proximity to one another with respect to interests, goals, jobs, and family life.
In schools, divergence is very important. If we were too narrowly and similarly focused in thought and acts, we could not serve our diverse students and their varying needs well. Instead it's the synthesis, harmony, and even the debate related to our divergence that creates a rich teaching/learning ecosystem that's able to lead and serve all students and families well.
I will think more on divergence in the days ahead as I work to elevate my teaching/learning practice, collaboration, and result. I welcome your thoughts on the topic.
