“As you enter positions of trust and power, dream a little before you think.” – Toni Morrison

Everybody loves data.  People talk about making decisions based on data, measuring performance based on data, etc.  Data can be an incredibly valuable tool. 

Data can sometimes keep us from doing stupid things.  Sometimes data can portray a particular choice or scenario as too risky, too dangerous, something to be avoided.  Data can help keep us safe.

Our brains tend to like data.  In an age of information, we see data as reliable.  We feel like we have so much data that if we just listen to the data we can’t possibly do anything wrong.  If we follow the data we’re guaranteed to succeed.

The problem with data is that we can become too dependent on it.  We can stop thinking critically, we can stop analyzing and just end up on autopilot.  Worst of all, we can become so data-focused that we don’t use the thing that makes us most unique – our creativity.

We’re challenged by creativity because it doesn’t feel safe.  It’s by definition new and different and outside the boundaries that exist or that we’ve created for ourselves.  It’s unpredictable.  We’re taught that data is safe because 2+2 always = 4, and creativity doesn’t have that certainty.

We have to lean into that challenge.  I’m not suggesting that you as a leader should ignore data.  Absolutely not.  What I’m suggesting is that too many leaders shut off the creative part of their brains and let data do all their thinking for them. 

Start with you.  Data is a helpful tool and it can and should be used in a lot of ways.  But it should never take the place of the creative solutions and intuition that you have and that you can add.  That part of your mind is an incredible gift – use it.