Executive Data Literacy

Executive data literacy is the ability to understand, question, and use data in decision-making — without needing to be a data analyst. It’s about knowing what the numbers really say (and don’t say) and leading your organization with clarity.

Asking the right questions of your team and vendors, and avoid being misled by jargon, hype, low context metrics and flashy dashboards. Learn to cut through the BS and get to the heart of the issue. Set a culture where data informs decisions at every level, from strategy to operations. Learn to sharpen your business acumen with tight analytics to drive sustainable growth. 

For business leaders, data literacy is not about running complex analyses or learning programming — it’s about understanding what the numbers mean, asking the right questions, and knowing how to challenge assumptions behind the reports you see. Strong data literacy helps leaders avoid being misled by jargon or vanity metrics, align their teams around clear goals, and make decisions that are grounded in evidence as well as experience. To this end please feel free to use our guide to 6 Questions Every Executive Should Ask About Data

6 Questions Every Executive Should Ask About Data

A quick guide for leaders who want clarity, not jargon

1. What decision is this data supposed to inform?

Data without context is just noise. Ask your team to tie every chart or metric to a clear decision, whether it’s about marketing spend, hiring, or operations.

2. Where did the data come from, and can I trust it?

Reliable decisions come from reliable sources. Make sure you know whether the numbers are pulled from customer systems, financial records, surveys, or external vendors. 

3. How was this data collected?

Even data from trusted sources can be unreliable if we don’t understand how it was collected. Data collection methods can impart uncertainty and assumptions: a digital clock is more accurate than an analog clock even though both can be trusted to tell the time.

4. How recent and complete is this data?

Outdated or partial data can skew results. Ask how often the data is updated and whether anything important is missing.

5. What assumptions are behind this analysis?

Every model or report makes assumptions. Ask your team to state them clearly, so you know what’s fact, what’s forecast, and what’s just an educated guess. Probe deeper by connecting this back to questions one through four.

6. What action would we take if this number goes up or down?

Metrics should drive behavior. If nobody knows what to do when a metric changes, it may not be the right one to track.

 Tip: Keep this guide handy for your next strategy meeting. Asking these five questions regularly builds a culture of clarity, accountability, and smarter decision-making.

Want deeper guidance? Executive Data Coaching helps leaders move beyond surface-level reports and use data as a true strategic asset.