Most orgs don’t have a data problem—they have a decision problem. This executive memo reveals why dashboards and training won’t fix culture, and what leaders must do differently to turn data into real decisions.
Most AI efforts fail not because of bad tech, but because of bad design. This article reframes AI as an organizational challenge, not just a data science project. Learn what business leaders must rethink to turn AI from a pilot into a competitive advantage.
Think your org is data-informed? Think again. Most companies are still making bad decisions—just with dashboards attached. Discover why traditional data literacy fails—and what it really takes to build a culture where data drives action.
Our quest for a culture that values data insights and human context equally
Data is everywhere, shaping decisions in business, policy, and everyday life. But its presence alone is not enough—its true power lies in how we interpret and apply it. When raw data is transformed into meaningful insights and, ultimately, into wisdom, it becomes a catalyst for better decision-making.
This realization has profoundly shaped both my personal and professional journey in data literacy, pushing me to challenge conventional thinking and advocate for a more nuanced approach—one that values both data insights and human context in equal measure.
Years ago, my relationship with data was built on absolutes. With a background in math and statistics, I viewed data points as objective facts—unquestionable and self-evident. But life has a way of disrupting rigid beliefs.
As a parent to an autistic child, I quickly learned that data alone never tells the whole story. Behind every data point is a human experience—one that requires context, empathy, and perspective to fully understand. What looked like "behavioral trends" in a dataset took on a much deeper meaning when I saw how my child interacted with the world. The data wasn't wrong, but it was incomplete.
That realization changed everything.
I began to see misinterpretations of data everywhere—in education, in business, in media. I watched as people made sweeping judgments and policy decisions based on isolated statistics—without questioning their sources, considering alternative viewpoints, or challenging underlying assumptions.
This lack of critical thinking was alarming. It became clear that data literacy is not just about numbers—it’s about asking better questions, recognizing biases, and understanding the broader story.
This personal awakening reshaped my professional mission. My work is not just about teaching data skills—it’s about helping people use data responsibly, ethically, and effectively.
Throughout my career, I have worked with corporate organizations, government agencies, and industry leaders worldwide, designing and implementing data literacy, analytics, and decision-making strategies that drive real business impact. As a university professor, author, and consultant, I have spent over two decades developing programs that help professionals:
Beyond training, I have also written extensively on data literacy, decision-making, and bias mitigation, contributing to the movement that makes data more accessible, meaningful, and actionable for individuals and organizations alike.
The risk of misinterpreting data isn’t confined to one sector—it’s a societal issue. Poor data interpretation can lead to flawed business strategies, ineffective policies, and misinformed personal choices. But when we go beyond surface-level statistics and seek to understand the assumptions, limitations, and narratives behind data, we unlock a new level of decision-making power.
That’s the core mission of this site.
Here, you’ll find practical resources, insights, and tools to help you not just understand data, but challenge it, contextualize it, and apply it effectively. Whether you’re a leader, an analyst, or someone simply looking to make better decisions in a data-driven world, this platform is designed to help you navigate data with confidence, ethics, and wisdom.
In an era flooded with information, we don’t just need more data—we need better thinking about data.
I invite you to explore this site, engage with the resources, and join us on this journey toward a more data-literate world. Together, we can transform raw data into wisdom—driving smarter decisions, more ethical practices, and a future where data serves people, not just processes.
If you find value in this site and want to help keep this mission alive, consider signing up for a membership. Your support allows us to continue creating practical resources, in-depth learning content, and expert insights—all designed to help you become more confident in using data effectively.
Becoming data literate begins in your inbox. Sign up to receive expert guidance, news, and other insights on the topics of data literacy and data-informed decision-making. Want to know more about our mission? Visit our About Page. Thanks for visiting!
