HBR Guide to Data Analytics Basics for Managers (HBR Guide Series)

CHAPTER 21

Responding to Someone Who Challenges Your Data

by Jon M. Jachimowicz

I recently conducted a study with a large, multinational company to figure out how to increase employee engagement. After the data collection was complete, I ran the data analysis and found some intriguing findings that I was excited to share with the firm. But a troubling result became apparent in my analysis: The organization had rampant discrimination against women, especially ambitious, passionate, talented women. Although this result was based on initial data and was not particularly rigorous, I was convinced that managers at the collaborating organization would like to hear it so that they could address the issue.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. In a meeting ...