Data Analysts: The Picassos of Business Strategy
Turning Numbers into Narratives that Drive Vision
By Nicole A. Farrington
As I continue my journey of redefining and rebranding, I’m thrilled to share insights from my third course in the Master of Science in Information Technology Management program: Business Data Analytics.
Yes, you read that right—data and numbers excite me! But what’s even more compelling is the artistry and mastery with which data analysts transform raw data into compelling stories—stories that don’t just inform but influence the future of entire organizations.
We live in an age where information is no longer a scarcity; it’s an overflow. Yet the real power lies not in the abundance of data, but in our ability to extract meaning, form insights, and drive wise action. This is where the Data Analyst emerges—not as a technician hidden in the back office, but as a strategic visual communicator, a storyteller, and dare I say it, the Picasso of Data.
The Science Meets the Story
In our course textbook, Storytelling with Data by Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic, one quote stood out to me:
“Being able to effectively tell stories with data is one area that will give you that edge and position you for success in nearly any role.”
Knaflic, a former Google People Analytics leader, calls us to go beyond simply showing charts—we are to craft a narrative. Just like Picasso didn't just paint figures but emotions, data analysts must interpret what matters, eliminate clutter, and make the invisible visible.
Whether it’s understanding customer behavior, forecasting revenue, or identifying bottlenecks in operations, analysts bring clarity to complexity. They don’t just generate dashboards—they shape decisions.
From Chaos to Clarity: What Data Analysts Actually Do
Here’s how these “data artists” operate:
- They gather and prep the canvas (data collection & cleaning)
- They sketch the patterns (exploratory analysis)
- They choose their brush and palette (visualization tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Python/SQL scripts)
- And they paint a story that moves the boardroom (explanatory analysis & storytelling)
In business, this is more than skill—it’s stewardship. As someone who believes that wisdom is a spiritual and strategic gift, I see data storytelling as a form of stewardship over information—turning knowledge into understanding, and understanding into action.
Faith, Leadership, and the Call to Clarity
In Scripture, we are often reminded that vision matters:
“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.” — Habakkuk 2:2
Good data analytics aligns beautifully with this wisdom. It’s about making things plain—removing noise, eliminating confusion, and illuminating truth. This is where my passion for faith-based leadership and data-driven strategy intersect.
As a former hospitality and operations executive, I’ve made decisions from gut instinct. But as a future consultant in business and operational AI integration, I’m learning to let data speak, without silencing the human story behind it.
The Journey Ahead
This is only the beginning. My "Choosing the Tools" and "Telling the Story" assignments in this course have already opened my eyes to:
- How to align data visualizations with audience context
- The importance of intentional design (size, color, spacing, hierarchy)
- And how to advocate for change through clear, visual evidence
I now see that analysts are not just coders or Excel wizards. They are organizational influencers, strategic translators, and—like Picasso—they see the shape within the stone before anyone else does.
Call to Action: What’s Your Data Story?
Whether you’re a CEO, nonprofit director, or ministry leader, you’re sitting on data gold. But who’s helping you tell the story behind the numbers?
As I grow in this field, I’m eager to help leaders visualize insight, act wisely, and design operations that reflect both excellence and ethics.
So here’s my question to you:
Are you letting your data tell a story worth hearing?
Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-a-farrington-1stbu551n3ss3xc3l