The Tuesday I shadowed a mentor instead of checking email

Last month I got permission to shadow a senior project manager for a full day in Austin, just watching how she ran standups and handled two surprise client changes. I didn't realize how much structure she packed into every 15 minute block until I saw her turn a messy status update into three clear action items. That single day taught me more about running meetings than my entire 2 years of trial and error, and I've started copying her whiteboard layout for my own team. Has anyone else ever asked to shadow someone outside their direct chain of command? It felt awkward to request, but I'm glad I did.

2 comments

2 Comments

henry10129d ago

Shadowing beats reading books on it, plain truth.

wren97629d ago

Plenty of people learn fine from books and never shadow a thing, so it's not some universal law. You're acting like it's life or death when it's just one way to practice.