We live in a time of constant information – dashboards light up like Christmas trees, inboxes never empty, and “insights” seem to multiply faster than we can process them. If you’re leading a team, managing a transformation, or just trying to make sense of your workday, you’ve likely felt it: information overload.
But here’s the thing. It’s not more data we need—it’s better curation.
As someone who lives and breathes organizational data, I’ve seen how the story we tell with data is often more powerful than the data itself. We’re not just analysts or consultants or leaders—we’re curators. In high-stakes environments, time, attention and strategic focus are finite. The ability to cut through the noise and craft a clear, purposeful narrative is a competitive advantage.
Three Ways to Curate Your Data Story
- Start with the “So What”—Too many visuals, reports and models can be beautifully built yet leave stakeholders asking: Why does this matter? Lead with the insight. Let the data follow.
- Balance Truth with Relevance—Just because a story is true doesn’t mean it’s useful. Curating your story means selecting the right truths—the ones aligned to the decisions being made, the values you want to reinforce and the future you’re trying to build.
- Less is more, but meaning is everything—I always say: a single slide with a crystal-clear insight beats a 50-page deck of charts any day. When your audience is overwhelmed, simplicity becomes an act of respect.
As we work with executives navigating transformation, we use data to tell stories about what’s really going on in the organization. It helps us explain the structure, the talent flows, the misaligned incentives and the moments of resilience. But the magic happens not in collecting more—it’s in making meaning from what we already know.
So the next time you feel the overwhelm creeping in, take a step back. Ask yourself:
What story am I telling? What action am I enabling? What really matters here?
Because that’s when data becomes not just informative—but transformative.
Curious how to simplify your organizational story? Or how to use structure and span data to clarify your next move? Let’s connect.
