Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques

189. Numbers Need Narrative: Use Data to Influence and Inspire

Mar 4, 2025

Miro Kazakoff, a senior lecturer at MIT Sloan and author of 'Persuading with Data', shares insights on the power of narrative in data presentation. He argues that while data can provide objectivity, its true impact comes from understanding your audience. Kazakoff emphasizes the importance of empathy, suggesting that effective communication lies in listening and framing data in a relatable way. He offers practical strategies, such as context and storytelling, to turn complex information into compelling narratives that engage and inspire.

21:09

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Episode guests

Miro Kazakoff

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Effective communication of data relies on understanding your audience and crafting narratives that resonate with their experiences and values.

Visual representations and structured presentations of data significantly enhance clarity and engagement, ensuring the audience comprehends the intended message.

Deep dives

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Intro

2min

Data, Narrative, and Audience Engagement

6min

The Power of Context in Data Presentation

5min

Mastering Data Presentation

4min

The Essential Ingredients for Effective Communication in Data Presentation

4min

Why numbers are only as compelling as the narratives we attach to them.

Facts and figures can be your friend, but before you load your presentation full of data, Miro Kazakoff has a word of caution: “Data’s objective, but people are not.”

You might think that your data speaks for itself, but Kazakoff says numbers need a narrative. A senior lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management and author of Persuading with Data: A Guide to Designing, Delivering, and Defending Your Data, he says the key to making data persuasive isn't about showing more information — it's about understanding your audience well enough to know how to relay it in a way that will connect with them. "The people who get good at this are not so much the people who can talk and draw graphs well, but the people who can listen the best. It starts with is empathy.”

In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Kazakoff joins Matt Abrahams to explore how to transform complex data into clear, compelling communication. From avoiding the "curse of knowledge" to effectively orienting your audience through visualizations, he shares practical strategies for making your data not just informative, but persuasive.

Episode Reference Links:

Miro Kazakoff
Miro’s Book: Persuading with Data
Ep.49 Make Numbers Count: How to Communicate Data Effectively

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Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn

Chapters:

(00:00) - Introduction
(02:14) - How to Use Data Persuasively
(04:01) - The Curse of Knowledge in Data Communication
(06:26) - The Best Way to Present Data Visually
(08:41) - The Role of Context in Making Data Meaningful
(10:53) - Orienting Your Audience When Presenting Data
(13:29) - Storytelling in Data Communication
(15:30) - The Final Three Questions
(20:29) - Conclusion

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