At first, Mike Hackert wasn’t quite sure what job shadowing meant. He knew it was a requirement to complete the NAVAIR Leadership Development Program (NLDP), which he joined in 2009. He knew he would be traveling to Washington, D.C. But the rest was, as they say, “all in shadow.”
Job shadowing, a key component of NLDP, helps employees experience “a day in the life” of a senior leader through on-the-job learning. Through shadowing, employees can receive advice on strategies to pursue a particular job or career path and make connections or get referrals for potential jobs, mentors or more job shadowing.
Hackert, an electrical engineer, has shadowed three senior leaders since 2009, which he described as a combination of observational learning, mentoring and informational interviews.
He most recently spent a day with a Senior Executive Service member in developing technology at the Office of Naval Research. There, he said he gained a unique perspective from the top about “doing the right thing” and balancing that against the realities of politics.
In all three of his shadowing assignments, Hackert said he learned how to translate his technical abilities into leadership and decision-making skills.
“I want to thank the program for breaking me out of my comfort zone to do shadowing,” he said. “I found it incredibly refreshing and beneficial.”
While a requirement for NLDP participants, NAVAIR’s Career Development Office also encourages all other employees to experience job shadowing.
“Job shadowing is important because it helps both parties to learn and exchange ideas,” said Kim Tennyson, NAVAIR’s required training and Developmental Assignment Registry program manager.
Hackert advises people interested in job shadowing to create an objective and agenda, clarify expectations up front and have fun.
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