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.
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insights INSIGHT
Data and Persuasion
Data is objective, but people are subjective.
Craft compelling narratives by understanding your audience and empathizing with their decision-making process.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Overcoming the Curse of Knowledge
Recognize the "curse of knowledge" and its impact on communication.
Test your data presentation with diverse colleagues to identify areas of confusion and improve clarity.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Visual Data Representation
Use tables for detailed data within small, specialized groups.
Use graphs for quick comparisons and broader audiences, prioritizing clarity over precision.
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The book tells the story of the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season, where General Manager Billy Beane and his assistant Paul DePodesta used advanced statistical analysis, known as sabermetrics, to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget. The approach, pioneered by Bill James, focused on metrics such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage rather than traditional measures like batting average and runs batted in. This data-driven strategy allowed the Athletics to compete with teams having much larger payrolls, like the New York Yankees, and achieve significant success, including a 20-game winning streak and a playoff appearance[2][3][5].
The big short
Inside the Doomsday Machine
Michael Lewis
The Big Short tells the story of the 2007-08 financial crisis through the lens of several key players who predicted and profited from the collapse of the housing market. The book focuses on characters such as Steve Eisman, Mike Burry, Greg Lippmann, and the founders of Cornwall Capital, who saw the impending disaster and made significant gains by shorting the market. Lewis explains the complex financial instruments and the systemic failures that led to the crisis, making the narrative both accessible and engaging.
Persuading with Data
Miro Kazakoff
Persuading with Data provides a comprehensive toolkit for modern data professionals, combining data visualization with communication strategy to create persuasive presentations. The book covers designing effective graphs, organizing ideas into compelling presentations, and delivering data to audiences. It integrates practitioner and academic perspectives with real-world examples across various industries.
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.
(03:57) - The Curse of Knowledge in Data Communication
(06:22) - The Best Way to Present Data Visually
(08:37) - The Role of Context in Making Data Meaningful
(10:49) - Orienting Your Audience When Presenting Data
(13:25) - Storytelling in Data Communication
(15:26) - The Final Three Questions
(20:25) - Conclusion
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Think Fast Talk Smart: Communication Techniques 
