Title: Stop Chasing Data Literacy. Build Business Literacy Instead. (Tristan Burns)

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​​What if the reason your work isn’t being used… isn’t your analysis?What if it’s the gap between data language and business language, and the uncomfortable truth that data teams are often closer to dashboards than decisions? In this episode, Tristan Burns, data leadership coach and former global head of data for Pizza Hut’s digital business, explains why “data strategy” is often pointless without business strategy, and how leaders can shift their teams from reactive reporting to driving commercial outcomes. We unpack the leadership skills nobody trains you for, the hidden job market and networking “insurance,” and why the most underrated career advantage in analytics isn’t technical…it’s judgment. This one is a must-listen if you’re quietly ambitious and ready to become the person people trust.

Topics:

• What you’re getting wrong about “data literacy”
• What you need instead: business literacy
• What to do when no one can explain the business strategy
• How to stop building “data strategy” in a vacuum
• How to move from service desk to strategic partner
• What to do when opinions clash with data at scale
• How to grow faster by borrowing from other industries
• What you need to stop micromanaging (and start leading)
• How to treat networking like career insurance
• What to do if you want to go freelance: sell before you build
• What to read if you want to level up (Badass Bookshelf)

Watch the episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@quietlyambitiousanalyst

Follow Tristan Burns: Website - https://bit.ly/3YoCTD4LinkedIn - https://bit.ly/4sh1QOi
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The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication. 

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In this episode, I sit down with Adel Hassen, a data scientist who brings humanity and self-awareness to his work.

Adel shares how he applies the 80/20 rule to take analyses across the finish line, focusing on what truly matters to stakeholders. He also breaks down his three guiding principles–Direction, Action, and Consistency– and how they help analysts find their flow in a fast-moving field.

If you've ever struggled to balance quality with progress or doubted your pace, this conversation is a gentle reminder that clarity and consistency often matter more than perfection.

The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication. 

Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/analystdispatch

In this solo episode, we're unpacking a simple but powerful truth: observations aren't insights.

Through a story about a paid search cannibalization discovery, we'll illustrate how easy it is to stop at surface-level data–and what it takes to move beyond that.

We'll also cover the three steps to developing real insights and how to bring context, reasoning, and connection into your analysis so your findings actually drive action. If you've ever wondered why your reports don't spark decisions, this episode will help you bridge that gap.

The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication. 

Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/analystdispatch

In this episode, we're talking with Shrestha Maharaj, an Insights & Analytics Manager who transitioned from medical sales into data analytics–and built a thriving career through mentorship, self-advocacy, and influence.

Shrestha shares how to navigate career pivots with intention, find mentors who truly guide your growth, and build trust in spaces where you might not fit the traditional mold.

If you've ever questioned your path or felt boxed in by expectations, this conversation will remind you that your unique background can become your greatest advantage.

The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication. 

Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/analystdispatch

In this solo episode, we're discussing why the best analysts think more like detectives than technicians. From asking sharper stakeholder questions to uncovering the story behind the numbers, we're breaking down how curiosity and critical thinking can transform your analysis–and your credibility.

 You'll also hear a real-world story about a campaign that didn't go as planned, and what it taught me about the power of framing questions before diving into data. If you've ever felt pressure to "just run the numbers", this episode will help you slow down and see what really drives insight.

The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication. 

Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/analystdispatch

Welcome to The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–a podcast about mastering the invisible skills that make data professionals stand out: business context, communication, and confidence.

I'm your host, Seth Forbes, a data strategist and educator. Each episode explores the in-between moments and hidden practices that turn analysis into real-world impact–from asking sharper questions to communicating insights that land.

This season, you'll hear honest conversations with data professionals, creators, and business leaders who are redefining what it means to be analytical in a human-driven world.

Because being quietly ambitious isn't about staying small–it's about creating meaningful change in your own way.

The Quietly Ambitious Analyst–where business context meets data communication. 

Listen anywhere | Follow @quietlyambitiousanalyst | Join the newsletter at https://tinyurl.com/analystdispatch