Stop Sharing Data—Start Driving Decisions 🚀
Sharing data is easy.
Driving decisions with it?
That’s a whole different game.
Welcome to 1-2-1 MindSpeaking: Bridging the Gap between Data and Business.
Here’s what’s inside:
🧠1 Tip for Data & Analytics about moving from Analyst to Advisor—drive decisions, not just data dumps.
🎙️2 MindSpeaking Podcast episodes about Effective Data Storytelling and Communication with Non-Technical Stakeholders
🤔1 Quote Why waiting for opportunities will always hold you back.
🧠 1 tip for Data & Analytics
Want to stand out as a Data Scientist or Analyst?
It’s not just about SQL, Python, or dashboards.
It’s about how you think, communicate, and drive impact.
Here are 7 behaviors that separate great analysts from the rest—plus how to apply them today:
1️⃣ Ask better questions.
Instead of: “What does the data say?”
✅ Try: “What decision are you trying to make?”
👉 Actionable tip: Before diving into analysis, ask why they need the data. Challenge vague requests.
2️⃣ People aren’t logical. They’re emotional.
Neuroscientists have proven this. Feelings drive decisions more than data.
✅ Example: Loss aversion is stronger than potential gains.
👉 Actionable tip: Frame insights with emotional impact.
Instead of “Revenue dropped by 5%,” say:
“We’re losing €50K per month—here’s how we can stop it.”
3️⃣ Get buy-in early.
If stakeholders don’t feel involved, they’ll ignore your work.
✅ Example: A Sales Director ignored a dashboard—because they weren’t consulted.
👉 Actionable tip: Before your final presentation, do a 10-minute check-in.
Ask: “Does this align with what you need?”
4️⃣ Accuracy is important. But business value is more important.
A perfect model is useless if no one acts on it.
✅ Example: A 95%-accurate ML model was ignored—because it wasn’t built for real users.
👉 Actionable tip: Shadow your users. Ask: “What would make this easier to act on?”
5️⃣ Speak their language.
No one outside your data team cares about p-values or RMSE.
✅ Example: Instead of “This model has 89% precision,” say:
“This prediction will be correct 9 out of 10 times.”
👉 Actionable tip: Before your next meeting, rewrite your main takeaway in one sentence a 10-year-old could understand.
6️⃣ Numbers don’t move people. Stories do.
✅ Example: “Sales dropped 10%” is forgettable.
“We’re losing one customer every 5 minutes” is not.
👉 Actionable insight: Use this structure:
Context: What’s happening?
Problem: Why does it matter?
Solution: What should we do next?
7️⃣ Don’t just report data. Influence decisions.
Your job isn’t just crunching numbers—it’s driving impact.
✅ Example: The best analysts don’t just say, “Here’s the data.”
They say, “Here’s what we should do next.”
👉 Actionable insight: Never present data without a recommendation.
Say: “Based on this insight, I suggest [specific action].”
The best data professionals don’t just share numbers.
They shape decisions.
Which tip will you apply?
🎙️ 2 MindSpeaking Podcast episodes
Matthew Dicks - World Champion Shares Storytelling Secrets
The most famous person on the podcast so far — Matthew Dicks is the world champion in storytelling (holds the record 62-time Moth StorySLAM champion and 9-time GrandSLAM champion):
How to apply storytelling techniques to data presentations=
Why personal stories create impact
How to find compelling stories in everyday life
An episode packed with storytelling secrets—don’t miss it!
Kristen Kehrer - Top Data Scientist Strategies: Data Storytelling & Stakeholder Communication
LinkedIn Top Voice and founder of Data Moves Me, shares:
How to make data “sing” for business audiences.
Why data storytelling is a must-have skill.
How to communicate with non-technical stakeholders
🤔 1 Quote to reflect on
“There are two goals when presenting data: convey your story and establish credibility.”
— Edward Tufte
A lot of data professionals struggle with credibility.
I get it. Talking about your own work can feel icky.
But here’s the thing—if you don’t establish credibility,
how will people see the value you bring?
Before your next presentation, ask yourself:
How can I make sure they listen?
Not by bragging.
But by showing impact.
Tell them how your work has helped.
Example:
“80 people in marketing use this dashboard weekly. It helps them optimize campaigns and save money.”
Before your next data presentation, ask yourself:
How credible am I in the eyes of my audience? How can I increase my credibility?
Thank you for reading.
Stay curious,
Gilbert
Ps. Data Storytelling training for your team?
[INDIVIDUALS] Public training = fully booked.
[DATA TEAMS] Transform your Data team: from data providers to trusted business partners. Only 2 spots left in Q2! Reply to this email with "Interested".
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