You may need many mentors. When I started studying accounting, I discovered I was dyslexic with numbers. As a consequence I moved into computers and since then I have been in many different roles.
Some of those roles have included working in the helpdesk, training, implementation, sales, marketing, operations, project management and leadership roles - virtually everything except writing software.
But regardless of the role I'm in, before I start any mentor relationship, these are some critical things I focus on:
We all have different learning styles and requirements. Are mentors the right way for me to learn and develop this skill? Mentoring is part of a toolkit of professional development.
Be very specific and understand how this is aligned to my broader plan. I need their mentorship to be actionable so we can measure success. I focus on skills and competencies first.
When I moved into sales, I needed to be great at software demonstrations and business cases. It was unlikely one person would be great in both.
Being specific in what I needed from my mentors, I was clearer in what I needed and I got there faster than using more than only one. It's also important to remember that mentoring is two way. Your mentor will learn as much from you as you will from them. So be yourself, be honest and be open.
*This post was originally published on Linkedin.