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Steps managers can take to make sure everyone sees data as a crucial part of their job.
January 06, 2025
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While most leaders understand the importance of good data to their operations, too many fail to recognize the critical role that people play in creating it — and even make it harder for people to do the right things when it comes to data. Yet it doesn’t take much — a little training, an opportunity to speak up, better KPIs — to get far better results. Leaders should support pride in workmanship, seize opportunities, and take point on leading culture change.
By now, most companies know — on an intellectual level at least — that good data is essential to efficient operations, sound decision-making, and powerful AI. However, they fail to recognize the critical role that people play in the creation of good data. Indeed, many view people as a large part of the problem, blaming them for lack of attention, a reluctance to learn new skills, and undue fear they will be replaced.
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Thomas C. Redman is the president of Data Quality Solutions and the author of People and Data: Uniting to Transform Your Business (Kogan Page, 2023).
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Donna L. Burbank is the managing director of Global Data Strategy, Ltd. where she applies a people-centric approach to data management. She is the author of several books on data management and architecture.
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New!
HBR Learning
Performance Measurement Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Performance Measurement. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to set the right targets, collect and analyze data, and improve key metrics.
