From Data Enablers to Impact Drivers

Throughout my career journey—from struggling as a data engineer to becoming an impactful product leader—I encountered the same issue but only recently understood its cause. Reading “Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success” and “The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul” by Phil Jackson helped me realize the missing piece.

Before I reveal what that was, here’s a short story:

A young monk, known for his meticulous tea ceremony skills, he spent hours selecting leaves, heating water, and pouring with graceful precision. Despite his mastery, he felt dissatisfied, sensing his role was limited to simply preparing tea, not savoring its essence. He was an enabler, not an experience.

How does the story end? Stay with me to find out.

Breaking Free from the Enabler Mindset

Whenever I hear “we’re enablers,” I feel a spark of frustration. This term has become a crutch for data teams, limiting their potential. When data teams define themselves merely as “enablers” moving data from X to Y, they risk becoming service providers rather than strategic partners. The result? A cycle of dashboards with no clear value, turning data teams into firefighters instead of impactful changemakers.

The Athlete’s Mindset in Data Leadership

Data teams, like top athletes, must go beyond technical mastery to achieve measurable impact. This shift from passive enablement to active value creation involves a mental transformation in how we approach our work.

I’ve found myself drawn to books and stories about the mindsets of craftsmen and athletes — masters of their craft, whether chefs or basketball players. I don’t want to become one, but I do want to understand their approach. Consider how athletes prepare for competition: they study opponents, develop strategies, and measure performance relentlessly. Data teams should approach projects with the same intensity, focusing on the impact of their work rather than simply delivering on requests.

Instead of creating a dashboard on demand, we should be asking, What impact will this create? How will we measure success? Mistakes are part of the journey; the goal is to learn and improve, just as an athlete refines their technique based on areas they need to strengthen.

“Every great athlete, artist and aspiring being has a great team to help them flourish and succeed — personally and professionally. Even the so-called ‘solo star’ has a strong supporting cast helping them shine, thrive and take flight.” ― Rasheed Ogunlaru

Measuring Impact Through Data ROI and Utilization

Shifting from enabler to impact driver requires clear metrics. Two critical metrics here are Data Utilization and ROI.

“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create.” ― Roy T. Bennett

Data Utilization measures how effectively data assets are used. Recently, a gaming company data lead I mentored discovered they were using only 45% of their customer data. By tracking utilization, they increased usage to 85% and reduced storage costs by 30%. This was more than just a metric; it was a fundamental shift in data strategy.

Data ROI goes further, quantifying financial impact. An e-commerce company I consulted found their recommendation model initially had a negative 238% ROI. However, through continuous monitoring and refinement, they achieved a positive 75% ROI, emphasizing that data products need iterative cycles to maximize their potential.

By using metrics like Data Utilization and ROI, we create a direct line to business outcomes, positioning data teams as value creators, not cost centers.

The Transformation Process

Becoming an impact driver isn’t an overnight change. It begins with a clear-eyed look at the current ecosystem: What’s working? What isn’t? What are the biggest opportunities?

Then we need to evaluate the costs and possible impact of fixing things, this is one of the thoughts thing to do, but if we want to become impact creators, we must be able to create a monetary system for what we do.

The next step is a mindset shift: from reactive request handling to proactive planning. Instead of responding to each dashboard request, successful data teams create product roadmaps aligned with company goals, prioritizing based on potential impact.

Integrating ROI and utilization metrics into daily operations builds accountability. These aren’t just numbers — they’re decision-making tools that focus efforts on value-driven projects.

Finally, adopting a product mindset means seeing each initiative as part of a larger strategic vision, where do we explore something new, or exploit the existing, what share do we give to each without losing ourselves? Every model or dashboard should contribute to the bigger picture, balancing quick wins with sustainable growth.

Sustaining the Impact Mindset

Transitioning from enabler to impact driver is a continuous journey. Success requires consistent effort, clear communication, and an unwavering focus on business outcomes. Just like athletes who analyze each game, refine their skills, and come back stronger, data teams must adopt a similar commitment to improvement.

Impact is measured not by the number of dashboards created, but by the tangible value delivered. When data teams prioritize outcomes over outputs, they become essential partners in organizational growth.

And remember, it’s about learning to say no, and taking time to evaluate purpose and impact. Yes, even if the CEO needs a particular metric, they should explain why, what they’ll do with it, who will own it, and where its impact is relevant.

Now, as for our monk’s story…

One day, an elder observed the young monk’s precise tea preparation and commented, “Your tea is flawless, but it lacks soul.”

The young monk, puzzled, asked, “How can tea have a soul?”

The elder replied, “The soul of tea lies in its ability to connect people, to inspire, and to bring joy. By focusing solely on mechanics, you miss the essence of the experience.”

Inspired, the young monk began focusing on creating a serene, inviting atmosphere, engaging his guests with stories and insights. He had transformed from an enabler to a catalyst, using his skill to create meaningful experiences.

The moral? While enabling is important, the true impact comes from actively shaping outcomes and inspiring change. Shifting from an enabler to a catalyst unlocks potential and drives real impact.

As the monk learned, being more than an enabler starts with transforming from within, creating experiences and impacts that truly matter.

Taking Action: Your Impact Driver Roadmap

Ready to lead your data team from enablers to impact drivers? Start here:

1. Audit Your Impact Baseline Document current success measures. Are you counting dashboards or measuring business impact? This gap analysis will highlight your biggest opportunities. When asked for a new dashboard, move from, ‘When do you need it?’ to ‘What decision will this inform, and how will we measure its impact?’
2. Implement Your Impact Metrics Start tracking Data ROI and Utilization. Begin with one project, measure its complete impact cycle, and refine your measurement approach before scaling.
3. Transform Conversations When stakeholders request new dashboards, reframe the conversation: Instead of “When do you need this?” Ask, “What decisions will this inform?” Follow with, “How will we measure impact?” and “What’s the expected ROI?”
4. Build a Product Mindset Create a roadmap for your data products, treating each initiative as a product with its lifecycle and metrics. Schedule reviews to assess impact and gather feedback.
5. Document Your Wins and Failures Track your team’s impact with a “success journal” noting both quantitative metrics and qualitative feedback. This evidence base supports future investments and team growth.

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