Habits of Highly Effective Data Professionals

What if Steven Covey was a technologist, data professional, or data scientist? Would the best-selling author-best known for promoting his "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" - have thrived in today's data-driven world?

I believe he could have thrived, if he adapted to the complexity and practical realities of working with data and technology. Like today's best data pros, he would have succeeded by combining technical skills with the principle of "Beginning with the End in Mind" (Habit #2). He would also have needed to take the next step, rolling his sleeves up and figuring out HOW to achieve his most essential goals.

I call this next step "Causal Clarity," by which I mean achieving a clear vision for HOW a goal will be achieved. What will cause the desired result? What are the preconditions? What are the sequence of steps-sometimes thousands of them-that lie between the current state and the desired state?

Causal Clarity and Success: in my experience, data pros thrive when they insist on clear goals, then apply clear, structured thinking to the question of "how will we get there? what will cause the result we want?" Thinking in this way is especially valuable in the complex terrain of data and technology. It supports success in several ways:

1. High ROI Projects: at the enterprise level, the goals that matter are those that improve profitability in the long run. ...

2. Avoiding Low-Value Activities. The inherent complexity of technical work makes it harder to tell the difference between essential tasks and "nice to haves." ...

3. Improving Collaboration: finally, having a clear "Causal Model" improves collaboration both within teams and among them. ...

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