Demystifying the Unknowns: How My Work Looks Beyond the Numbers
The legendary management guru W. Edwards Deming famously declared, “The most important figures that one needs for management are unknown or unknowable.” This audacious statement challenged the prevailing focus on traditional data and metrics, suggesting that the most critical factors influencing business success often lie hidden beneath the surface.
My work dives headfirst into these very unknowns, exploring the hidden dimensions of human thinking in teams and organizations and its impact on organizational performance. Addressing what has been unknown and often considered unknowable, allows organizations a small sliver of data that is causal to business outcome. Through a unique blend of data analysis and psychology, I aim to illuminate the often-neglected aspect of how people think: the subconscious drivers, values, and motivations that shape individual and collective actions.
Uncovering the “Why” Behind the Numbers:
Traditionally, businesses rely on quantitative metrics like revenue, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement to assess their health. While these provide valuable insights, they often fail to capture the “why” behind their fluctuations. My approach delves deeper, leveraging language patterns and publicly available data to uncover the psychological makeup of organizations.
Imagine having access to a detailed map of an organization’s hidden landscape, where personality traits, purpose-driven decisions, and subconscious biases are revealed.
What are the outputs?
- Build High-Performing Teams: Identify the ideal mindsets for specific departments, ensuring compatibility and maximizing team effectiveness.
- Attract and Retain Talent: Go beyond resumes and skills to discover individuals whose values and motivations align with the organization’s purpose, leading to increased engagement and reduced turnover.
- Optimize Marketing and Sales: Tap into the psychological drivers of purchasing decisions, creating targeted campaigns that resonate with the “why” behind consumer behavior.
- Predict and Navigate Disruption: By understanding the underlying mindsets within an organization, businesses can anticipate potential blind spots and proactively adapt to changing landscapes.
Beyond Measurement, Towards Transformation:
My work is not confined to simply measuring the unknown. It aims to empower businesses to leverage these insights for profound transformation. By identifying and nurturing the right thinking patterns, organizations can foster a culture of innovation, resilience, and long-term success.
Deming’s words serve as a powerful reminder that the most significant forces shaping our organizations often lie beyond the reach of traditional metrics. By embracing the “unknowns” and exploring the hidden dimensions of human thinking, we strive to equip businesses with the tools to navigate the complexities of the modern world and unlock their full potential.
I am a big believer in challenging what questions you should and can ask. The causal data to answer them might just exist.