In today’s business landscape, data teams come in all shapes and sizes. Some sit in IT, buried in technical tasks, working with complex databases and command lines. Others reside within business units, armed with Excel and VBA macros to help analyze and make sense of the data. Some teams may not even be officially designated as “data teams,” but consist of a group of problem-solvers who figure out how to make things work with the data they have.
That said, not all businesses need a dedicated data team. Some organizations thrive without deep data analysis or relational databases. However, for most companies, data is a key driver of success, and the people who can effectively manage, analyze, and leverage this data play a crucial role. Over time, I’ve noticed one characteristic in particular that distinguishes effective data professionals and makes their teams stand out: curiosity.
Curiosity: The Key to Success in Data Teams
Above technical skills, I believe curiosity is the most important trait for any successful data team. Curious people naturally dive deeper into the data, uncovering issues, identifying opportunities, and finding creative solutions that drive business results. Curiosity implies a genuine investment in the work at hand, a passion for discovering new insights, and an eagerness to explore. This drive pushes individuals to go above and beyond, leading to personal and professional fulfillment while delivering meaningful contributions to the organization.
In my own experience, some of the most impactful side projects I’ve worked on started simply because I was curious about something in the data that seemed “off.” While this curiosity can occasionally lead to rabbit holes, more often than not, following intuitive hunches about business problems and complex datasets leads to fun, interesting, and highly impactful discoveries. Curiosity often bridges the gap when technical expertise is still developing—people who are curious will put in the effort to get up to speed and learn whatever they need to solve the problem at hand.
Other Traits of Successful Data Teams
While curiosity is crucial, several other traits also contribute to the success of data teams. Some of these may seem less obvious but are just as important:
1. Prioritization and Transparency
In the fast-paced world of data analysis, prioritizing tasks and being transparent about what you’re working on is critical. By opening a candid dialogue with your manager or supervisor, you ensure that you’re focused on the right tasks that will drive the most value for the organization. Data analysis can often be a lot of “thinking” work, and without a clear sense of direction, it’s easy to get sidetracked. Maintaining a list of tasks, prioritized by importance, helps keep everyone on track.
2. Cross-Team Collaboration
Another essential trait is an understanding of what your colleagues are working on and how your work fits into the bigger picture. Transparency about each team member’s priorities fosters collaboration and ensures that the entire team is aligned on organizational goals. This open communication helps reduce confusion and keeps everyone accountable to each other, ensuring that everyone is working toward the same objectives.
3. Pick Up the Phone
One often-overlooked yet highly effective trait of strong data teams is the ability to pick up the phone. In an age of email and instant messaging, it’s easy to get bogged down by written communication, which can lead to misunderstandings and slow progress. However, I’ve seen time and time again how picking up the phone to talk through an issue leads to faster resolution. Often, complex problems that may have lingered for months can be solved in minutes with a simple conversation. It’s crucial, especially for technically-minded individuals, to feel comfortable picking up the phone and having real-time discussions to solve problems quickly.
Conclusion: The Superpower of Curiosity
If you want to succeed in a data-driven world, curiosity is your superpower. It will drive you to ask the right questions, dig deeper into the data, and ultimately unlock new insights that drive value for your organization. Combine that curiosity with prioritization, transparency, and the willingness to communicate directly, and you’ll set your data team up for success.
And don’t forget the simple but powerful rule: pick up the darned phone!