I love data and information and insights. I enjoy good statistics (and sneer at crappy statistics). I am routinely frustrated with the line of argumentation that begins and ends with how somebody feels about something.
One of my former bosses insisted that we bring data to any argument or recommendation. He also coached us by saying, “Data beats no data 98% of the time.” He recognized the power of data but knew that data doesn’t sway the decision. [Read more…] about When Presenting Data First Backfires