Hi Wes, thanks for another great piece. I am grateful that you are sharing all of this wisdom for free. I especially liked the Charlie Munger quote. It takes a ton of humility to actually live these words - because it means that you often have to come to terms with the fact that someone else knew something better than you did.
During the pandemic I challenged myself to go back to college, but only take classes in things that I didn’t understand, had never studied or was terrified by. My goal wasn’t to get another degree, only to learn for its own sake.
I didn’t expect this thought experiment to reap the benefits it has and I definitely didn’t expect that 2 classes in particular would change my outlook on life as well as how I deal with people.
I took statistics because numbers scare me and logic and critical thinking because who doesn’t want to get better at that?? Both gave me a different framework when it came to relating to others that was wonderfully unexpected. Turns out you don’t have to be a numbers geek to benefit from analytics…a plain old book geek benefits a ton too:)
Oh man this piece came exactly when I needed it. I have been struggling to figure out how to do this better but haven't known how to frame it. As you say "data analytics" is too deep for what I want to do but I want to improve. This gives me a helpful jumping off point.
I believe you that you are fun at parties 😂 (that part made laugh out loud, probably because of the contrast to the seriousness of the article and your usual tone).
I have to ask, though, how did that massaged-data launch do?
Understanding incentives is one of the most powerful tools you can have in the toolbox. In this case, joining forces to push some probably-very-bad idea is incentivized to promote Gap careers, not to actually sell a product. That's understandable...but I see a lot of people who've quit or been fired, go into consulting or startups, and who don't understand that the fundamental incentives have changed. Most importantly, who benefits from the incentive? Mostly, the guy whose idea isn't supported by data. (And of course, the risks to him are almost externalized to others.) Chipping off bits of your career to feed his may not always be the most productive use of your time.
Hi Wes, thanks for another great piece. I am grateful that you are sharing all of this wisdom for free. I especially liked the Charlie Munger quote. It takes a ton of humility to actually live these words - because it means that you often have to come to terms with the fact that someone else knew something better than you did.
Loved this and found it very pertinent to how management consulting case interviews and projects work!
During the pandemic I challenged myself to go back to college, but only take classes in things that I didn’t understand, had never studied or was terrified by. My goal wasn’t to get another degree, only to learn for its own sake.
I didn’t expect this thought experiment to reap the benefits it has and I definitely didn’t expect that 2 classes in particular would change my outlook on life as well as how I deal with people.
I took statistics because numbers scare me and logic and critical thinking because who doesn’t want to get better at that?? Both gave me a different framework when it came to relating to others that was wonderfully unexpected. Turns out you don’t have to be a numbers geek to benefit from analytics…a plain old book geek benefits a ton too:)
Oh man this piece came exactly when I needed it. I have been struggling to figure out how to do this better but haven't known how to frame it. As you say "data analytics" is too deep for what I want to do but I want to improve. This gives me a helpful jumping off point.
I believe you that you are fun at parties 😂 (that part made laugh out loud, probably because of the contrast to the seriousness of the article and your usual tone).
Great article, thank you.
:]
Thank you, Wes, for sharing your valuable experience & insights so clearly & eloquently.
great framing and super insightful!
Great post.
I have to ask, though, how did that massaged-data launch do?
Understanding incentives is one of the most powerful tools you can have in the toolbox. In this case, joining forces to push some probably-very-bad idea is incentivized to promote Gap careers, not to actually sell a product. That's understandable...but I see a lot of people who've quit or been fired, go into consulting or startups, and who don't understand that the fundamental incentives have changed. Most importantly, who benefits from the incentive? Mostly, the guy whose idea isn't supported by data. (And of course, the risks to him are almost externalized to others.) Chipping off bits of your career to feed his may not always be the most productive use of your time.
interested in knowing more about how you generated the podcast.