Why the Data Gene is (Still) Under-Represented in Management

02/11/25 • 16 min

Ever sat in a meeting, watching a decision unfold that makes zero sense—bad for business, bad for employees—while the data that should be guiding the way is ignored? You’re not alone. In this solo episode, Rob Collie takes on a question that’s been circling for years: why aren’t more people with a data-driven mindset in leadership positions?

The answer isn’t as simple as “because they should be.” There are deep-rooted reasons why persuasion often wins over precision and why data folks get stuck in support roles instead of calling the shots. But here’s the thing, change is possible. Whether you’re an analyst looking to break into leadership or a decision-maker wondering how to get the most from your data-savvy team, this episode is for you.

Tune in as Rob unpacks the hidden forces at play, the skills that can help data professionals move up the ladder, and why learning the art of influence might be just as important as mastering the numbers.

Previous Episode

The Data Gene Transforms Non-Football Fans into Fantasy Football Devotees, w/ Adam Harstad

What happens when you mix fantasy football, data analytics, and a little bit of chaos? You get a conversation that refuses to follow a straight line—but somehow lands exactly where it needs to. Rob Collie welcomes back fantasy football guru Adam Harstad for his third appearance on Raw Data, alongside first-time guests Heather Zimmer and Molly Ferguson, two self-proclaimed newcomers who are anything but casual. They dive into the unexpected ways fantasy football rewires your brain, from strategic obsession to the unshakable belief that your lucky jersey actually controls the game.

Adam breaks down the numbers behind the game—how expected points added (EPA) became the gold standard of football analytics and why your gut feeling about a "bad matchup" might just be a statistical illusion. Meanwhile, Heather and Molly prove that fantasy football isn’t just a game; it’s a full-blown data-driven lifestyle. Whether it’s crunching Power BI models for next season or convincing family members to clear out during game time, they’ve gone all-in—and they’re not looking back.

But beyond the spreadsheets and the smack talk, this episode is about something bigger: the sheer joy of unexpected obsessions. Whether you’re in it for the data, the competition, or just the chance to prove someone wrong (we see you, Heather), fantasy football is a reminder that the best things in life are the ones you never saw coming.

Also in this episode:

Guide to EPA

Protect the Spots with NO Bulletholes, w/ Adam Harstad

Epistemic Path Dependency, w/ Adam Harstad

Next Episode

Rethinking the ROI of Dashboards

For years, dashboards have been the go-to for business intelligence. Built with the best intentions, loaded with visuals, and meant to empower decision-makers. But are they actually delivering?

A recent Reddit thread raised a tough question: "Has anyone here moved away from dashboards as their main source of insights?"

It’s not the usual “Dashboards are dead” hype. It’s a real challenge from BI pros who build them. The problem?

Analysts say dashboards can’t keep up with how they really explore data.
Executives and business users aren’t using them as intended, leading to more ad hoc requests, not fewer.

The result? Dashboards end up underused, misused, or worse, ignored.

In this episode of Raw Data, Rob and Justin cut through the noise and get to the heart of the issue. Are dashboards the problem, or is it how we’re designing and using them? And more importantly, what’s the right way forward?

Also in this episode:

Reddit discussion