Data storytelling for the C-suite
Step 1 / 3·The formula: Insight → So what → Now what
0/3 steps done
Learning objectives — after this module you will:
- Structure presentations as insight → so what → action
- Design a one-page talent dashboard for leaders
- Avoid common data-presentation traps
The formula: Insight → So what → Now what
Present data in a way that leads to a decision.
Reporting data vs storytelling with data
Dumping numbers
“"Attrition this year is 14.2%, up 2.1 points from last year. The next slide is attrition by 12 departments..."”
Leaders must guess the meaning — each guesses differently, and the meeting becomes a numbers debate instead of a decision.
Data storytelling
“"INSIGHT: 70% of good people leave within their first 18 months, concentrated in 3 plants with new managers. SO WHAT: at this rate we'll be short 8 shift leaders for the expansion plan, replacement cost ~4B. NOW WHAT: I propose a first-line leader program for those 3 plants — needing 800M approved today."”
Three beats lead straight to a decision: phenomenon → business consequence → action needing approval.
One-page talent dashboard
One page for leaders each quarter: 4 corners = 4 problems (retention – readiness – capability gap – mobility), each corner 1–2 metrics + trend + status color. Every other detail goes in an appendix. If page one generates no discussion, the dashboard has failed.
Key takeaway: Insight → So what (money) → Now what (decision); a one-page, four-corner view for the C-suite.