Recently, I worked with an organization on leadership and strategy. As we learned more about where they were and how they communicated, it became clear that many of the leaders had an unquenchable thirst for more information. A new analysis, data presented in different ways, seemed to be the order of the day. I will be the first to promote better use and presentation of the data we have in our organizations today. In fact, most organizations seem to have a significant gap in their data and reporting capabilities.
Data and reporting on it was not the need for this group of leaders. What was happening was so much focus on data that people were not talking to each other. People were not having the right conversations. Data can give us lots of insights, however, to become actionable, they must be communicated. Also, people interpret findings and trends in different ways and the best insights come from conversations where everyone shares their perspectives.
As we collaborated on these insights, we used the rally cry, “less columns and more conversations,” to drive the group forward. The next big leap in effectiveness for this organization was less data columns and more conversations with each other. What about your organization, are you lacking the data insights or the collaborative conversations on what the data says? Maybe both? Beware in an exponential world of being so into the details that we miss the big picture, we miss the big opportunities coming our way.
Me: CeCe, I put a spreadsheet together so we can see where we have been spending discretionary money, especially on personal care.
CeCe: Is it tax time again? Just tell me what the budget number is, I don’t want to see the spreadsheet. I hate tax time….
Finding purpose begins with finding significance, which begins with valuing people. I am better because of this book, I’m confident you will be too! Mark Cole, CEO Maxwell Leadership
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