Are you a Good Analytics Leader?

A lot has been written on strong leadership qualities in general management. But with Analytics becoming mainstream, what are the qualities of an Analytics leader? Here is my humble assessment from the front-line and what I hear from peers:

1. 30 second articulation of Analytics value: Just like an elevator pitch for an entrepreneur, can you plain speak how analytics can bring value to your business or to that of a client without resorting to models, math, equations or statistics? If you cant articulate this plainly, then you don't get it.

2. Convert Business Strategy to Analytical Objectives & Roadmap: Can you internalize the 'strategic objectives of your business or your clients and then layout a phased analytical roadmap which delivers value overtime with increasing sophistication? I have seen people fail at this quite consistently. This is also one reason why business consultants with a numeric mind-set do well in Analytics. They can convert even if they don't have the analytics rigour or depth!

3. "Connect-the-dots" of the three Analytics pillars: a. Domain, b. Technology and c. Analytics methodology. Do you have the vision and clear thought leadership on how the three pillars can work in harmony and deliver sustained value to business? As an analytical leader, you need to be a "jack-of-all-trades" in these areas... know enough to be dangerous. That means strong investment of your time to build skills in these areas. Don't be superficial.

4. Get your hands dirty!: As an analytics leader, you need to be a role model. When was the last time your build a predictive model or take a training class for your team on an analytics methodology or an emerging trend in Big Data or whatever? If you can't get in the trenches, it will eventually show in your business meetings and presentations. There will be one smart-alec in the crowd who will ask you the cliché question "So what's the RSquare of your model?" .... You need to be ready for that!

5. Groom your business analyst, statisticians and technologists in business context and domain: You are only as good as the people who work for you. Junior-to-Mid Analytics staff are generally perceived as being in a "cocoon". You need to break that perception with active intervention. Take them along to business strategy sessions. Let them contribute ideas in business forums. You will be surprised how motivated they will get and how quickly their analytical solutioning skills will improve.

This is my initial list. I would love to hear feedback. Thanks for listening.