This is one really effective way to jumpstart your learning on something. For work that requires client interaction or customer development, there are a staggering number of things that can be gleaned from seeing a pro do what they do.

An example of this that we all have seen is in the food service industry, where a new, precocious server will hover alongside the experienced server to learn the ins and outs of taking chicken parmesan orders effectively.

So if you have access to a mentor or friend who has deep experience in a particular area that interests you, consider asking if you can tail them on an engagement to better understand the art of their work.