Downclimb Into Successful Data Projects
Building Confidence Through Seeing Others In Action
Photo credit: Cesira Irish in North Wash, UT
This is me. If you told me 48 hours before I would be downclimbing 20 feet (6 meters) without a rope, I would have told you that you were crazy. I would never do that. BUT I did.
What happened! I saw others do it with easy, and I tried. After three canyons, I had built up the confidence to do this (starting with short down climbs and building from there). As a result, I helped my canyoneering team move through a canyon much more efficiently and safely.
How does this translate to more efficient data projects?
Most organization leaders have not seen how data projects need to actually work. Organizational leaders see the outcomes, but they do not see how to best support this work to bring organizational efficiency. As a result, the organization is not successful (or efficient) in achieving their outcomes.
The more leaders can see successful outcomes AND how it was implemented; they will better support and build these key capabilities with greater confidence within their organization.
If you are a leader, go see what successful organizations are doing and learn how they are successful. Ask your experience senior data professionals come along and then showcase how the organization can do more with their data, providing feedback on what can be improved within their organization.
If you are a data professional, help your leaders see how they can gain more efficiency on their data projects and what can be improved. Showcase what success needs to look like for a data project, highlighting gaps that are holding back your organization and a roadmap to ensure this project is successful.
You can't build any kind of organization if you're not going to surround yourself with people who have experience and skill base beyond your own. - Howard Schultz
This is what I did with my canyoneering capability: I went with those who are more experienced and capable than me. As a result, I was able to push my comfort zone and become a more efficient and capable canyoneer.
? What skills and/or behaviors do you want to see done that push you out of your comfort zone? How can you and your organization benefit from this learning?
