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TREATING DATA AS A PRODUCT
According to the customers we spoke to, technical ability isn’t enough. Data
professionals need to back it up with strong communication skills and the
ability to to guide people towards a common goal.
‘You can have the greatest technical skills but if you are an
ineffective communicator or ineffective at having influence to
move a group of smart people forward toward a common goal –
it’s really hard to get the job done’
‘Communication is 50% of the work. Understanding one’s
audience – whether executive level or at the front-line level, I have
to be able to calibrate my message for the audience.’
That’s not to say that technical skills are not important. But for data leaders,
it’s also about amplifying your team’s abilities with appropriate team
structures and processes in place. Put another way, the best tools cannot be
leveraged without the right people.
‘Tech is still really important. Tools position you well, but you can
have all the chess pieces in place but if the people aren’t ready,
you’re going to have real challenges’
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