Continuing the cultural barriers to data-driven decision-making theme, I stumbled across a counterintuitive point in a post from Thomas C. Redman and David Walker on the HBR blog network.
When you think about the human resistance in adopting data-driven decision-making, or really any change, at the root is the "me question". What is the impact on my job, my span of control, my future opportunities?
In a (more) data-driven world, a knowledge worker or line manager might fear being obsoleted, or minimally demoted by an algorithm. A senior manager might fear losing control as business intelligence is available to the masses.
These fears are natural. But, not always founded. In fact, an anecdote from Redman and Walker's post demonstrates that incorporating measurement into operations actually made for a more collaborative, and fruitful, problem-solving experience for both employee and boss. Go figure. [emphasis is mine]
"One night Tom [Redman] attended a celebration for a team in a telecommunications company that had drastically improved performance after implementing a new data quality measurement and control system. He asked one woman how the new measurements had impacted her work.
She looked him and said, "You know, before we had these measurements I never had any say in my work. We'd run into a problem, and I'd ask my boss how he wanted me to handle it. And he'd tell me. A lot of times the answer didn't make sense. But I did what I was told."
The excitement in her voice rose as she continued: "Now I have the facts. I still go to my boss. But now we discuss those facts. And he lets me do what I think is right. I've never had so much control in my work."
Later that night Tom ran into her boss and asked the same question. He replied, "I always felt like my life was nothing but dealing with problems. People would come to me all day long and ask me how I wanted them to handle something. How the heck was I supposed to know? But there I was. Telling people what to do."
He continued, "People still come to me with problems. But it's different now. We figure it out. Together.""
I realize this is one anecdote, but it is something to consider. How can a data infusion make for a better work experience? For you, your employees, and your boss.
