That's True, But ...

How you gather, manage, and use information will determine whether you win or lose.? – Bill Gates

Early in my career, I often faced challenges when debating with others. ?I could not understand why my arguments were not effective. Either I would get tripped up on a point or someone else would present their argument more succinctly. ?One day, I sought advice from a peer about my struggles. They provided valuable feedback, pointing out that I tended to weaken my own arguments by presenting both sides of the issue. ?This approach made my points less compelling. They advised me to stop focusing on counterarguments and instead, clearly present the strengths of my own position. ?This insight helped me understand the importance of concentrating on relevant information and eliminating what was essentially useless.

Leadership is often about distinguishing between what is essential and what does not matter. ?To achieve success, leaders must navigate through biases and simplistic views that can cloud judgment. ?One concept that I got in one of my management courses is "true but useless," which refers to information that, while factual, does not contribute to solving the problem at hand. ?This idea is applicable not only in business contexts but also in personal conversations. ?Effective leadership requires the ability to sift through and disregard irrelevant information, ensuring that focus remains on elements critical to organizational success. How do we achieve that? ?Here are four key considerations to determine whether information falls into the "true but useless" category:

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History

Who has not heard the phrase, “History is the best teacher?”? We always want to lean toward historical information, and there are times when this is true.? However, I mentioned before that if you continue to think as you always thought, you will continue to get as you always got.? History can also be the greatest enemy of innovation because we will get into the mindset of history teaches us that.? Am I totally discounting the importance of history?? Absolutely not!? When you are trying to make projections, things that have happened under certain circumstances and conditions, history can be incredibly accurate.? However, when you are trying to accomplish something different particularly in a set culture, utilizing history can actually be a hindrance.

You have to overcome the historical tendencies. In the book Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath, they came up with a formula to do just that.? Here are those three steps described as Direct the Rider, Motivate the Elephant, and Shape the Path:

1. Direct the Rider – Finding ways to appeal to the rational side of people such as bright spots and examples of success
2. Motivate the Elephant – Looking for ways to emotionally engage people like connecting to others values or creating a sense of urgency
3. Shape the Path – Creating an environment where change is as seamless as possible

In a new world that is ever changing, you need not focus on history because it is useless.

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Relevancy

One of my subordinates was struggling in their performance.? We had to have a discussion about what was happening and what was needed for them to improve.? In the discussion, they pointed out some of the challenges within the department that were cultural.? “We do not have sufficient resources to be successful,” was one of the reasons for their issues, and “My training was insufficient,” was given as a reason.? Now being truthful, there had been some concerns expressed about resources, and the training he was a part of had not been the best.? However, a couple of key facts were not brought up.? One, an overwhelming majority of the team were meeting the departmental goals given, and two, individuals who started at the same time he did in the same training were meeting expectations as well.? So, while their concerns did raise cause for some concern, they were also useless in the overall discussion because a lack of effort and ultimately job fit were the true reasons for their poor performance.

In discussions and debates, it is crucial to remain focused on the core issue at hand. ?While some arguments may appear relevant on the surface, they often serve as distractions if they do not directly address the problem or contribute to its resolution. ?While these arguments are potentially true, they are ultimately useless if they do not advance the discussion in a meaningful way.? By recognizing this and setting them aside, we can maintain more effective dialogue that will ensure we are addressing the actual problem and not being sidetracked by immaterial things.

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Bad Data

In one of our projects at work, we were required to come up with new metrics for the department.? We looked at a great deal of data, and after a few months, we came up with a consensus of metrics that were agreed upon unanimously within the management team.? The project’s uniform success would only be eclipsed by its more sensational failure!? What did we do wrong?? We looked at the data and it was accurate.? However, we did not consider that one subset of the data pointed toward a different metric for one group and a third group that would have yet another metric.? The issue was not that the data was inaccurate.? It was that it was the wrong data to use, and thus, it was bad data.

It is one thing to be in love with data, and it is invaluable in making decisions.? However, it is equally important to ensure that you are using the right data.? Working for a company that focuses its reputation on providing tools to ensure professionals get useful information in a world filled with tons of data, making sure you are measuring and making decisions on good data is critical.? Here are some critical questions to ask to ensure you are validating your data is indeed good:

1. Is there bias in collecting the data slanting to a desired outcome?
2. Is the source of the data reliable?
3. Are you comparing apples to apples?
4. Is the information current or out of date?

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I Did It That Way

In business, the foundation of success often lies in hard work and dedication. ?This principle is one that many professionals, including myself, have adhered to throughout our careers. ?Reflecting on my experiences, I recall initially favoring a team member whose background and approach mirrored my own, while sometimes overlooking another who was quite different in style. ?However, as I grew in experience, I realized the importance of coaching individuals to be their best selves, not replicas of me. ?As a result, both team members became successful leaders in their own right.

It is a common assumption that individuals who follow the same path as us will inevitably achieve similar success. ?This belief stems from our own positive experiences. ?However, this approach can be misleading and counterproductive. Why? ?Because while two roads may appear similar, they are rarely identical.? Consider one of my peers who was the opposite of me in many ways. ?Despite our differences, I learned a great deal from them, and their performance often matched or even surpassed my own. ?This experience taught me a valuable lesson: success is not about replicating someone else's journey but about recognizing and nurturing unique strengths and qualities.

Focusing on performance rather than similar character traits is crucial. ?By doing so, we can avoid the bias that leads us to favor those who mirror our own traits. ?Instead, we should appreciate diverse approaches and recognize that different paths can lead to equally successful outcomes. Embracing this mindset not only broadens our perspective but also enhances our ability to innovate and excel in any endeavor.

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In Closing…

The journey of understanding and leveraging data, combined with fostering diverse talent, underscores the essence of true leadership and innovation. ?The ability to discern the right data and encourage diverse perspectives not only fortifies decision-making but also propels organizations toward unparalleled success. ?Let us remember that while data guides us, it is the human element that truly drives progress. ?By committing to continuous learning, embracing diversity, and validating our data, we can navigate any challenge with confidence and emerge stronger. ?Remember that the next time you hear something in a discussion, say to yourself, “That’s true, but …