In today’s data-driven world, organizations collect more information than ever before. Every decision, interaction, and outcome can now be tracked, measured, and analyzed.
Yet having access to data isn’t the same as understanding it—and it certainly doesn’t guarantee action.
To thrive in this information-rich environment, leaders need more than technical skills; they need to become data savvy. This means the ability to understand, work with, make decisions from, and communicate with data.
This article explores what it means to have data savvy culture, the positive implications of doing so, and the key components of building one.
Benefits of a Data Savvy Culture
Before we delve into the benefits of a data-driven culture, it's essential to understand what this concept actually entails.
Data-driven decision making is a strategic approach where decisions and actions are guided by data analysis and insights rather than relying solely on intuition or historical precedents.
Data reduces uncertainty. In essence, it's about making informed choices based on concrete evidence rather than guesswork.
Whether it’s an individual decision maker or a group decision making process, there are clearly benefits of data-driven decision making.
The Challenge of Bridging the Data Gap
Despite the undeniable value of data, many organizations face significant barriers to harnessing its full potential:
Overwhelming Volume: The sheer amount of data can make it difficult to focus on what matters most, leading to paralysis rather than action.
Skills Gaps: While organizations expect leaders to use data in their roles, few provide the training necessary to build confidence and capability.
Misaligned Perceptions: Data literacy is often viewed as mastering software or technical analysis, overshadowing the essential human skills needed to work with data meaningfully.
The Human Impact of Data Literacy Report published by The Data Literacy Project lends support to the need to educate leaders across organizations about the importance of building a data-driven culture, highlighting that investment in training and upskilling is vital and can significantly increase overall productivity.
While technical solutions may address data management at a surface level, the true value of data lies in the fusion of subject matter expertise with numerical insights.
Fostering a culture of data empowered leaders across all departments is an essential strategy for organizational success.
A people-first data culture empowers employees at all levels of the organization to become active participants in the decision-making process. By democratizing the data, providing access, and fostering a culture of data savvy and transparency, organizations can encourage employees to take ownership of their work, make data-informed decisions, and contribute to the overall success of the organizational data strategy.
What Does It Mean to Be Data Savvy?
Data savvy leaders know how to navigate the complex landscape of information by focusing on what matters most. They ask the right questions, interpret data with confidence, and communicate insights in a way that inspires action.
I prefer the term “data-savvy” over “data literacy”. Modern business leaders have some degree of data skills, albeit it varied and perhaps rusty. As noted by Tom Redman, in his 2023 book, People and Data, , “'illiterate' meant 'stupid'”, and, like Tom, I “don't like that connotation applied to people who never had a chance to learn. Instead, I prefer the term 'data savvy' and it applies to both people and companies”. Right?
Data savvy is about empowerment. Embracing data savvy means equipping organizational decision makers with foundational skills to access and glean insights from the data with which they work.
For example:
A healthcare administrator uses patient flow metrics to identify bottlenecks and improve care delivery.
A nonprofit director translates donor impact data into a compelling story that motivates continued support.
A team leader turns operational data into actionable goals, aligning their team around measurable objectives.
In each case, being data savvy doesn’t require advanced technical skills—it requires the ability to connect the numbers to the people, decisions, and outcomes they represent.
Check out the conversation I had with Tom last May. It was hosted by the PX Community, the library of which has now moved to the newly formed Healthcare Reinvention Collaborative.
Communication: The Heart of Data Savvy
The ability to communicate effectively with data is at the core of being data-savvy when it comes to being able to leverage the data to positively impact change. The most powerful data insights are meaningless unless they can be shared in ways that resonate.
Visuals, narratives, and clear messaging transform abstract metrics into actionable insights. Consider the difference between presenting raw survey results and sharing a concise, visual story about how patient satisfaction scores have changed over time. The latter not only informs but engages, creating a shared understanding among stakeholders.
This data communication aspect of being a data-savvy leader, will be the focus of an upcoming breakout session at the Beryl Institute’s Elevate PX Conference next spring.
I’ll be sharing data communication tools with healthcare professionals that are committed to improving the human experience in healthcare. Storytelling with data in healthcare is an essential skill set. These tools emphasize the power of storytelling and visualization to drive informed decision-making in complex environments.
Communication-based data training like Periscope BPA’s Data Storytelling Essentials are skills that can be learned. In-person and online workshops are complemented by recorded program materials for sustained learning. The recorded course can also be accessed for self-guided learning without workshop participation and includes an eBook.
In healthcare, the amount of data being collected to improve the experience of care has not resulted in any dramatic needle movement.
Perhaps it has to do with the measurement tool itself or maybe it is an outcome of organizational governance, but I would like to suggest that perhaps part of the problem is that we haven’t equipped enough change agents with the tools and autonomy to be more effective with the data.
Building Data-Savvy Healthcare Associations
Creating data-savvy healthcare associations require more than individual skills; it requires an organizational culture that values collaboration, curiosity, and shared responsibility.
Organizations can take inspiration from such initiatives by emphasizing:
Intellectual Curiosity: Encouraging leaders to ask deeper questions and explore innovative solutions.
Supportive Communication: Promoting environments where team members feel confident engaging with data, free of judgment or criticism.
Iterative Processes: Viewing data-driven decisions as ongoing refinements rather than one-time solutions.
Aligning Data Strategy with Organizational Goals
A truly data-savvy organization ensures that data is not just collected but aligned with strategic goals.
For example:
In Nonprofits: Aligning donor engagement metrics with targeted campaigns to increase fundraising efficiency.
In Healthcare: Linking patient care metrics to actionable initiatives, such as reducing wait times or improving treatment adherence.
This alignment ensures that every leader, regardless of role, sees the relevance of data to their objectives. By tying data use to specific goals, organizations can foster deeper engagement and drive meaningful outcomes.
Data Savvy Starts with a Basic Foundation
Becoming data savvy starts with the basics. It’s about building a strong foundation that enables professionals to approach data without feeling overwhelmed. The fundamentals are accessible to anyone, regardless of technical background:
Asking the Right Questions: Focusing on what you need to know before diving into the data.
Simplifying Complexity: Using visuals to highlight what’s important while eliminating unnecessary noise.
Emphasizing Key Takeaways: Delivering insights that align with the audience’s goals and needs.
In a recent Data Storytelling Essentials Data Visualization workshop, I helped participants used a simple visualization tools to uncover seasonal trends in fundraising data. The visualization immediately highlighted patterns that had been buried in raw numbers, sparking ideas for targeted campaigns. This hands-on experience demonstrated that even basic skills in data communication can unlock powerful insights.
Summary
Data savvy isn’t about mastering analytics software or becoming an expert in statistics. It’s about understanding the human side of data: asking questions, finding meaning, and communicating insights in ways that inspire action.
Building this capability starts with a people-and-data approach. By prioritizing readiness, fostering collaboration, and emphasizing communication, organizations can transform the value realization of their data.
Empowering leaders to turn numbers into narratives and data into meaningful change isn’t just a professional necessity—it’s a step toward creating more informed, impactful decisions that drive meaningful change and measurable results.
Roseanna Galindo is Principal at Periscope Business Process Analysis, specializing in organizational learning and development. She is dedicated to advancing data literacy, enhancing healthcare experiences, and empowering volunteer leaders.
Explore Roseanna’s expertise and insights on her blog, The Periscope Insighter, starting with the opening post, "Venn the Time is Right."
Roseanna offers a range of professional development services, including training workshops, keynote speaking, and executive coaching.
Visit PeriscopeBPA.com for more information or click on the button below to schedule a time to talk
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