Great data analysts are unicorns: part scientist and part creative genius. Most overdevelop math skills and underdevelop liberal arts, counterfactual thinking, and curiosity.
These traits "normally" don't go together. By "normally," I mean we track each other as either creative or science-y. That stinks because the best data analysts are hybrids.
Your opportunity is to buck that trend: develop both traits.
Einstein said it best in The Evolution of Physics in 1938: "To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science."
Take it from Einstein: Imagination is just as, if not more important, than knowledge. Develop both, and you'll soar.
LinkedIn recently named me a “Top Voice in Data Analytics.” They ask me to answer questions in less than 750 characters, and I love the challenge of writing rapid-fire, quick-hitting answers. I liked this one. Follow me on LinkedIn to read more “Top Voice” posts.
And check out these other Substacks I love:
by by by Mark Freeman by by by by by and fromYou can also subscribe to for free or paid. I donate 100% of paid subscriptions to charity, and I share all my writing for free, and because I love writing.