Communicate Like a Leader

CHAPTER 25

Dump Your Data to a Storyline

First learn the meaning of what you say, and then speak.

—EPICTETUS, GREEK PHILOSOPHER

In our work culture, leaders rarely just point and tell people where to go and what to do. Instead, they go to a group and make a case. That group may be their own board of directors, their executive team, a client’s executive team, a project team, their own staff, or the general public. Even the president sometimes takes a case directly to the voters to drum up support in getting legislation passed.

If you’re a marketer, sales professional, engineer, health-care provider, or financial advisor, you’ll likely need data on occasion to introduce a new strategy, report, or product, or to take advantage of an unexpected opportunity. ...