The Data Fluent Culture - Data Fluency: Empowering Your Organization with Effective Data Communication - page 151

This next section of the chapter focuses on another critical element of a
high-performing, data fluent culture—how leaders utilize a set of everyday
activities to support data consumers and producers in effective data use in
their organizations.
EVERyDAy ACTIVITIES
In a recent conference presentation, Jason Fried described a typical workday:
People go to work, and they're basically trading in their work day for a series of
“work moments.” That's what happens at the office. . . . It's like the front door of
the office is like a Cuisinart, and you walk in and your day is shredded to bits,
because you have 15 minutes here and 30 minutes there, and then something
else happens and you're pulled off your work and you've got to do something
else, then you have 20 minutes, then it's lunch. Then you have something else
to do. Then you've got 15 minutes, and someone pulls you aside and asks you
this question, and before you know it, it's 5 pm, and you look back on the day,
and you realize that you didn't get anything done.
TED: Why Work Doesn't Happen at Work
He later attributes these ineffective work days at the office to M&Ms—manag-
ers and meetings. Managers “whose job is to interrupt people” and meetings
that breed more meetings, an incestuous cycle that has you spending your
time “[talking] about things you're supposed to be doing later,” rather than
doing them. Added to the M&Ms are a never-ending stream of electronic
distractions—e-mails, tweets, social media interruptions—all asking for your
immediate attention.
As a leader, you are no stranger to Fried's insights. In fact, 15 minutes here or
30 minutes there may seem like a luxury you no longer have. Nonetheless,
you also know that meetings, e-mails, hallway conversations, and conference
calls are everyday activities that drive organizational culture and productivity.
The last section of this chapter helps you shape these activities in the service
of a data fluent organization. It describes how you can build a culture that
supports effective data consumption, production, and use.