Humanizing Data Strategy: Leading Data with the Head and the Heart Paperback - 2024

By combining relentless optimism with a brutally honest reflection on common data strategy mistakes and what it takes to fix them, Tiankai provides CxOs to operational staff, data experts to business users, and students to experienced leaders, a refreshing take on turning advocates into active change-makers to create a sustainable data strategy.

People are emotional, irrational, and impulsive, but they also play a crucial part in any data strategy work. Yet why is the people part of data strategy so difficult? Tiankai decodes the human aspects of data strategy into an actionable framework, linking human needs with business objectives through the Five Cs: Competence, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Conscience.

Tiankai Feng is a creative force of nature in the data space. Since bursting onto the scene with his "Governors of Data" rap song and music parodies, he has proven time and again that he can effectively wrap the truth about data management in a business-accessible coating. His new book, Humanizing Data Strategy, is a natural extension of his unique form of thought leadership.

Tiankai strives to illuminate the human side of data strategy. By acknowledging the inherent biases and emotional influences in data analysis, he underscores the need for empathy and compassion in the realm of data-driven decision-making. With his trademark blend of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom, he offers a simple but compelling 5Cs framework for making data strategy more inclusive and impactful. A must-read for anyone looking to humanize their data practices and foster a more collaborative and ethical data culture at their enterprise.

Scott Taylor - The Data Whisperer,

Author of Telling Your Data Story

In an era where books come and go, this book by Tiankai Feng stands out! From the very first page, it's clear that this book is both thoughtful and heartfelt in a world where reason and logic have sanitized our senses, and data rules the world. Tiankai offers readers a deep well of wisdom, along with meaningful reflection on the subject of all things data. His perspective, thought leadership, and unique way of humanizing the entire lifecycle is refreshing. I highly recommend this book to data nerds, strategists, book snobs, and literary aficionados alike.

Sol Rashidi

Bestselling author of Your AI Survival Guide, Former Chief Data/Analytics/AI Officer @ Fortune 100s,

Forbes 'AI Visionary of the 21st Century'

Too often, we relegate people to a workstream. In his book "Humanizing Data Strategy," author Tiankai Feng helps us understand that the "people" part of a data strategy is our superpower. From the 5Cs Framework to the roles we all play, Feng breaks down how to build a killer data strategy in your own organization. A must read for anyone starting (or re-starting) their data strategy.

Laura Madsen, Author of AI and the Data Revolution

Humanizing Data Strategy brilliantly bridges the gap between data-driven insights and human-centric decision-making. This book is a must-read for any data professional looking to balance technical expertise with the essential human touch.

Robert S. Seiner

President & Principal of KIK Consulting & Educational Services