helping you master the people side of data & analytics

Narrative Coaching: helping your clients’ stories to come to life

Narrative Coaching

How could Narrative Coaching help you as a coach or a client (coachee)? How might it enable you to see more clearly the story you are living in and the choices you could make?

I’ve shared before, after the 2018 Welsh Coaching Conference, how much potential I saw in Narrative Coaching & how inspiring David Drake was as a speaker. So, not surprisingly, I bought his book.

In this year of living my identity as a reader, I’ve finally got around to finishing “Narrative Coaching“. Finding it both an impressive resource and a challenging read. But, don’t let that put you off. I’ll share in this book review why it’s worth persisting & a tip to make it easier to access.

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Getting practical with a great introduction to DataOps & why it matters

DataOps

Chatting with a leading light in the Scottish Data Science scene recently, we both agreed that the term DataOps is coming to the fore.

There has been a focus on DevOps within IT teams over recent years, as well as continued demand for Data Science. So, highlighting the need for this overlapping skillset is not surprising.

However, a new book “Practical DataOps: delivering agile Data Science at scale” brings to life the need for this specialism. The author, Harvinder Atwal, is well qualified to share on this subject. Harvinder is currently CDO for MoneySupermarket Group. He’s also led analytics & data science development in Lloyds Banking Group & dunnhumby.

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19 signs that your customers are just not that into you

not that into you

As we all want to avoid the pain of unrequited love, this Valentine’s Day can you spot the signs that your customers are not that into you?

Spotting relationships that are not working is another key aspect of being a more discerning leader. So, for this topical relational content, I’m delighted to welcome back guest blogger, Annette Franz.

Annette is a CX coach, international speaker & author. She has previously shared with us on how to get action on your insights, develop leaders & make progress towards a data-led business.

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Why we need to be more discerning as people & leaders

discerning

This month, we turn to the topic of being more discerning. Several pieces of recent content have prompted this theme.

In “Digital Minimalism“, Cal Newport encouraged us to be more discerning in our use of time & focus. In “How Charts Lie“, Alberto Cairo encouraged us to be more discerning when reading & sharing Data Visualisations.

So, is that easier or harder to do these days? Why should it matter for us as leaders and in our wider lives? To help kick us off in thinking about this topic, I’m pleased to welcome back guest blogger Tony Boobier.

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Results of our Reader Survey, thanks for sharing your feedback

your feedback

Thanks to those who participated in our 2020 reader survey, sharing your feedback on our content.

The goal of this blog is to help you develop as a leader. Enabling you to better develop your vision, team & to make a greater difference in your business.

To achieve that, I seek to share a blend of content. From more technical content keeping pace with the latest developments to timeless leadership wisdom. Together with recommending books & events to help along the way.

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How to avoid being deceived by the ways charts can lie

lie

To finalise our series on values, I offer a book review to help analysts not lie. Well, actually it’s as much to help leaders avoid being deceived.

The book in question is the brilliantly timely “How Charts Lie” by Alberto Cairo. Those familiar with the field of Data Visualisation will already know Alberto’s name from either his presentations or his past books “The Truthful Art” & “The Functional Art”.

Alberto is the Knight Chair of Visual Journalism at the University of Miami. How cool a job title is that? With a background in journalism, in this book, he turns his attention to the layperson.

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14 Leadership principles that drive Amazon to be Customer-Centric

Amazon

I suspect Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, will be a controversial choice as a Values-Based Leader. But here’s a post sharing how Amazon demonstrates Customer-Centric values.

To provide such a perspective on Values-Based Leadership, I’m delighted to welcome back guest blogger Ian Golding. Rather than focus on some of the more controversial People Management practices, here’s Ian’s take on Amazon as a CX leader.

You may recall that Ian is an internationally recognised CX author, speaker & consultant. He has shared with us previously on the vital need for accountability.

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