Teaching = Learning = Adaptation

I've spent a lot of time over the past 7 years developing curriculum and teaching about data storytelling and visualization. I developed and teach classes here on LinkedIn Learning, in-person and virtual workshops for clients worldwide, I helped develop and teach online classes for one of the Big Four professional services firms, and I'm working right now on an online class for the University of Vermont that will launch in the spring.

On paper, I'm a teacher of data visualization. And it's true - about 70% of my work life is spent teaching. But what I've found is that all of that teaching means I'm constantly learning. I'm always reading books on data storytelling and visualization, keeping up with research in the field, watching Twitter and LinkedIn for great new work being done by those I admire, trying to develop my own skills...I'm constantly learning so I can teach more, better, and new information.

But most importantly, teaching teaches me what I'm doing - even my most well-trodden content that I know like the back of my own hand is a learning opportunity just about every time I share it. I learn from my students from the questions they ask, from their comments on my ideas, and the work that they do when we do exercises. And I learn from myself because even when presenting content for the umpteenth time, I will frequently think of a new idea, a new point of view, on even the most standard of ideas.

So what does this have to do with you? A few thoughts:

1. If you're learning how to do data storytelling and visualization (anything, really), try teaching it to somebody. Try explaining what it means and some of the key concepts to your spouse or a colleague. Explain why you made the decisions you made - for the charts you choose, the colors you use, the data you show. I guarantee you will learn something new simply by doing that.
2. When you're creating a report or a presentation, you're teaching your audience about your data. So even once the analysis is done, as you're thinking about how to communicate it, you're getting ready to "teach", which means your thoughts and perspectives will inevitably shift. This is critical because you must allow this to happen. Too often, I see people do their data analysis and they think they know "the answer". So they focus on pulling together their presentation about that answer and don't listen to their own gut telling them they might need to make a shift, come at it from a new angle, rethink things. You must be open to changing your ideas when in communication mode because that mode will reveal mistakes, new opportunities, different points of view that could change your direction significantly.
3. Once your report is done, you will get feedback and, of course, this is another opportunity to learn and adapt. Once again, you must be open to this process so you can improve your output and do the best job you can teaching your audience about your data.

This idea that teaching is learning is hardly new. But thinking about it specifically in the context of what that means when you're creating data communications and how you need to resist your biases and be open to changing your mind about your data is a nuance that may not be top of mind for most of you.

Keep an open mind, teach what you know, learn what you need every step of the way, and continuously adapt to have the largest impact you can on your audiences.

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Learn more about data storytelling and visualization via my other LinkedIn Learning courses.