Data Leadership Done Right: Focusing on Work That Matters

When you first start out as a data engineer or data analyst your focus is often, well, the data. You spend countless hours learning SQL, Python, and the latest tools. Nights are dedicated to refining data models and how other companies build data pipelines and perform analyses.

But eventually, something shifts. A light bulb goes off. You start asking yourself: What’s the point?

You’ve built dozens—maybe even hundreds—of dashboards. You’ve developed complex pipelines designed to make data accessible for analysts. But does anyone actually use them? What value is driven by my work?

As the unsettling thought creeps in, you might start questioning your purpose. I’m just completing tasks my manager assigns—isn’t that my job? Shouldn’t they be the one deciding what’s important?

Some people get stuck there, deferring entirely to their managers to set the agenda. But others feel compelled to dig deeper, asking a more meaningful question:

What work truly creates impact?

The difference between staying stuck and making progress is being a “needle mover.” If you simply complete tasks without understanding their value, you’ll struggle to advance in your career or create meaningful change for your organization.

As a data leader, your responsibility is clear: identify and pursue projects that move the needle.

Quick Pause: As many of you know I have been writing a book over the past few months focused on data leadership. This is one of the few chapters I am releasing early.

In this chapter, you’ll not only find actionable insights and writing but also over 30 minutes of exclusive video content split into two in-depth videos. These videos are only available here—you won’t find them on my YouTube or anywhere else.

If you’d like to support this newsletter and gain access to this exclusive content, consider becoming a paid member today. Your support means the world and helps me keep creating valuable resources for you.

Along with the exclusive content, the early part of this chapter will also include segments from the article Thinking Like An Owner. As that was an initial first stab at this topic.