As the digital transformation continues to accelerate across every industry, data and analytics companies must stand out from the crowd with their ability to drive strategy and execution. To that end, successful data and analytics leaders have many common attributes. They have a willingness to challenge the status quo, are highly collaborative and an eagerness to simplify processes to make them more effective.
However, each of these traits has its own unique challenges when it comes to implementation in any work environment. That’s why we’ve identified five key traits for data and analytics leadership success in this dynamic world of digital business.
Curiosity and a willingness to experiment
A true curiosity about the world around us is essential in data and analytics, where so many different sources of data are available. From social media to machine learning and artificial intelligence, every tool and technology has the ability to transform how we do business.
That’s why data and analytics leaders must have a willingness to experiment, testing new techniques and technologies to solve problems and maximize the value of data. In a culture of experimentation, leaders proactively encourage experimentation across the organization. They have the willingness to try new and different things, creating a culture that’s open to new ideas and change.
Data-driven decision making
Data-driven decision making is the backbone of every data and analytics organization, as leaders must make decisions based on facts, not feelings. With the volume of data available today, data is a critical asset for any organization. That’s why data and analytics leaders must know how to effectively use data to drive decisions and solve problems.
They know how to build data-driven cultures that are focused on using data to make decisions. They know how to turn data into actionable insights that drive better decisions. Data and analytics leaders understand that all data is not created equal. On the contrary, data comes in many different forms, including structured and unstructured, internal and external.
People skills and effective communication
The relationship between data and analytics leaders and their teams is critically important. At the same time, it’s also one of the most challenging aspects of the job. After all, the best data analytics solutions are useless if they aren’t effectively communicated to the organization. Leaders who excel at the intersection of data and analytics place an emphasis on communication.
They are able to effectively deliver data insights and solutions across their organization. The best data and analytics leaders know that communication is a two-way street, which is why they place a high priority on their communication skills. They are able to listen to their teams as well as deliver their own findings and solutions.
Organization and process improvement
Organization and process improvement are important traits for any leader, but are especially crucial for data and analytics leaders. After all, data and analytics leaders are often responsible for significant amounts of manual work and analysis. That’s why it’s critical for these people to possess the ability to organize their work processes, as well as their teams.
Data and analytics leaders are constantly looking for ways to improve their work processes, as well as their team’s work processes. They are constantly asking questions, like, “How can we do things better?” and “Is there a better way to do this work?” They have a natural curiosity to improve their work processes and a willingness to try new things.
Bottom line: Be strategic, not just operational
The best data and analytics leaders are both strategic and operational. They are able to push the organization forward, while also keeping an eye on the future. They are able to look beyond their own department and to what the rest of the business needs. For example, they understand the need for greater transparency and the necessity to provide business context for the data and analysis being delivered. They are also able to translate their solutions for the business, not just for their internal team members.
In the end, the best data and analytics leaders are able to balance their focus on the present with a keen eye on the future. With so many new tools and technologies available, the data and analytics field has changed dramatically in recent years. As a result, the traits required to succeed in this dynamic environment have also shifted. Now more than ever, data and analytics leaders must possess a willingness to challenge the status quo and curiosity to experiment with different techniques and technologies.
Author: Muthamilselvan is a Team Lead in Digital Marketing and is passionate about Online Marketing and content syndication. He believes in action rather than words. Have 7 years of hands-on experience working with different organizations, Digital Marketing Agencies, and IT Firms. Helped increase online visibility and sales/leads over the years consistently with extensive and updated knowledge of SEO. Have worked on both Service based and product-oriented websites.