Shadowing: Another Secret to Leveling Up Faster

Apr 21 (edited) • Tips & Tools

There’s a powerful yet underrated concept called shadowing—the practice of sitting or standing with someone and watching as they solve problems, make decisions, and get results.

In Episode 2 of the React Entrepreneur Podcast, at timestamp 33:13,

@Sonny Sangha

shared how he once shadowed someone through an entire deployment workflow and release cycle. He simply observed the process—from start to finish—and learned things he couldn’t have picked up any other way. Sonny said that experience leveled him up in ways he couldn’t even imagine.

Shadowing is similar to being an apprentice. You’re not just learning theories—you’re watching how experts move. You see their flow. You absorb their thought process. You imitate their excellence.

So, why is shadowing so powerful?

Because it taps into perceptual learning—your brain begins to recognize patterns and catch subtle details you might miss when just reading or listening. That’s where the real magic happens. You see the why behind their how.

Ever watched a coding tutorial and wondered,

“Why did they define that object that way?

”“Why use that approach?”

Shadowing gives you answers.

We’ve all shadowed people without realizing—whether it was learning to ride a bike, drive a car, or even tie shoelaces. But now, it’s time to become intentional about it.

Imagine watching a master coder build something great.

Seeing how they break a complex problem into modules.

Observing how they debug, refactor, or scale a feature.

Just by being present, you absorb patterns and principles you can’t Google.

Here’s my message:

If you get the chance to sit with a coder, designer, or creator you admire—shadow them.

Watch how they think.

Understand their creative process.

Study their principles.

Stay curious and open.

In the book Coders at Work, Donald Knuth was asked how to improve as a programmer. He said:

“If you can understand something about the way they thought and the way they made discoveries, then that can help you make your own discoveries.”