Gregory P. Crawford, the President of Miami University of Ohio, emphasizes the importance of data and analytics for organizational success. He believes that C-suite leaders should have a greater understanding of quantitative analysis and data. Leaders must work closely with their quantitative teams, relying less on instincts and more on data-driven decision-making. Crawford stresses the importance of data literacy for effective leadership and the need for leaders to have well-developed human qualities to deploy data effectively.
Crawford highlights the value of storytelling in transforming data into compelling narratives that can reach a broad audience. He suggests starting with the outcome and then building the narrative to make information meaningful and memorable. By narrating how we arrived at a certain challenge, leaders can leverage data to address the issue and create innovative solutions. This future-back strategic planning approach allows leaders to map out a path towards their desired outcome based on data-driven insights.
Questioning everything and maintaining a skeptical eye towards data is essential for leaders. Crawford emphasizes the importance of challenging assumptions and ensuring that data is accurate, helpful, and relevant. By asking on-point questions, leaders can verify the robustness of their data and make informed decisions. Crawford advises against accepting data at face value and stresses the importance of identifying errors, biases, and misrepresentations in data analysis.
Ethical considerations in data management are crucial for leaders in the age of AI and advanced technologies. Crawford emphasizes the need for ethical decision-making when collecting, storing, analyzing, and using data. Leaders must consider the impact of data activities on global inequality and ensure that data is managed ethically to benefit individuals, organizations, and society at large. Data ethics should be a collective responsibility and leaders should foster a mindset that prioritizes ethical considerations in data usage.
In higher education, data is used to promote student success and improve service provision. Crawford explains how data is used in student health to track student engagement and improve services. Privacy-protected data helps institutions better understand students’ needs and tailor their services accordingly. By focusing on ethics, leaders can ensure that data is managed in a way that benefits individuals and society as a whole while upholding ethical standards.
Crawford believes that leaders must possess deep quantitative skills to make informed decisions and forecast trends. He emphasizes the need for leaders to balance quantitative analysis with human qualities such as storytelling, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making. By leveraging data effectively and ethically, leaders can drive organizational success and contribute to positive societal impact.
