What Do You Want to Learn Next?

A few years ago, I set out to find a mentor. I was working in the self-publishing division of a large organization and wanted to learn more about the traditional publishing side of the business. The senior leader of that group seemed like the perfect choice—she had deep expertise and could help me expand my knowledge while guiding me toward new roles.

But she was too busy. She was already mentoring several people and running a department. She was kind and respectful, but in the end, she wasn’t my mentor.

Today, as a coach, I often talk about the value of both coaching and mentoring. Coaching helps you reach your goals, while mentoring is typically more role- or domain-specific.

A great mentor can be an invaluable resource—if you can find one.

That’s why a recent Harvard Business Review article on “micro-mentorship” resonated with me. The authors highlight a common challenge: the best mentors are busy. Instead of seeking a long-term mentorship, they suggest focusing on smaller, targeted learning moments—quick conversations or specific pieces of advice that can shape your career in meaningful ways.

Looking back, I realize that’s exactly what I did. After my initial failure to secure an ongoing mentor, I reconsidered what I actually wanted. And the answer was simple: to learn something specific.

Sure, a relationship with that senior leader would have been great, but first on my list of things I really wanted to understand was the financial side of that business. What financial metrics mattered? What revenue goals shaped their strategy?

So I went back to that leader—not to ask for mentorship, but to ask who could teach me those things. She pointed me to the department’s Finance partner, and I invited him to coffee. That conversation was a game-changer. I learned more in that one meeting than I would have through months of traditional mentorship, although it was in a specific area.

From that moment on, I stopped asking, Who do I want as a mentor? and started asking, What do I want to learn next? That shift led me to seek out subject matter experts and people with unique perspectives. I’d invite them to coffee, ask specific questions, and piece together my own learning journey.

Mentorship doesn’t have to be a long-term commitment. Sometimes, the most valuable lessons come in small, intentional moments.