The key to efficient and effective data-driven decision making is not data. While data are important and necessary, the real driver of good decision-making is criteria. Even with the best data, the wrong criteria will still lead you to a bad decision. However, good criteria are not enough. Criteria are only effective when everyone is …
Read more “Five steps for synchronizing your data and your decisions”
One of my favorite stories (unfortunately, I do not know the original author) is about an expert archer. One day the archer is walking through a forest. On every tree he sees an arrow shot perfectly through a bullseye. The archer continues his walk noticing more trees and more bullseyes. Finally, he reaches a stream. …
Read more “Impactful people commit then act; not the other way around”
Facebook is in trouble with its advertisers. According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, Facebook’s calculation of “Average Duration of Video Viewed” misled advertisers into thinking that their videos were being watched more than they were. The problem had to do with the way that Facebook calculated the metric. They didn’t include videos that were viewed for less than …
Read more “How well do you know your metrics? Take our five question challenge.”
Does your team understand their goals for the year? I bet they do. Most good leaders know how to set and communicate goals. What about expectations? How well does your team understand your expectations? What’s the difference? Goals reflect what you want accomplished. Expectations reflect how you want it accomplished. For example, your goals might …
Read more “What kind of culture are you trying to create? Does your team know?”
Hi everyone, We are excited to announce the release of our new Rethinking Data Explainer video. We’ve had many requests to provide a quick overview of the workshop. We hope the video helps! Check it out at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4Igw9hU37E.
Several years ago, when I started my consulting practice, I needed to purchase life insurance. I contacted three insurance agents and told them my need (the type of policy and coverage amount). Two got back to me requesting a meeting to conduct a financial needs assessment. They wanted to better understand my situation and determine …
Read more “Want to be a trusted advisor? Know when to take orders.”
For the past five years, I’ve noticed an increase of articles providing “tips” for being a better leader. Basically, the tips fall into one of four categories: Value your people and treat them with respect Communicate vision and goals clearly Provide feedback and on-going development Hold people accountable LinkedIn is full of such articles and …
Read more “If your leaders need “tips”, you might need new leaders”
The most common question I’m asked in my Rethinking Data workshop is how to become better at reducing bias and making data-driven decisions. There is a short answer and long answer to that question. The short answer is that you can’t really become better at reducing your bias. Most of your bias is applied unconsciously …
Read more “The most important skill for making better data-driven decisions”
Several years ago, my son and I went zip-lining. For safety reasons, riders had to weigh between 60 and 240 pounds. For the “weigh-in” the ride operators lined the group up and, one at a time, we’d step on the scale. Despite the long line, the process went very quickly. When it was my turn, …
Read more “Too much precision might be slowing down your decision-making”
This is a repost of an article from 2014. However, I think it’s message is worth repeating as leaders continue to overly rely on what they can measure rather than what might actually be happening. Data are just a proxy for reality, they aren’t reality. As more and more information is being captured, analyzed, and …