Are We Using Data Literacy as a Crutch? How Data Professionals Can Own the Disconnect

As data professionals, we often champion data literacy initiatives as the silver bullet for closing the gap between data teams and business leadership. And don’t get me wrong - data literacy is critical. But here’s the uncomfortable truth:

Too often, we use “data literacy” as a crutch when we don’t fully understand what executives actually need.

It’s easier to default to training stakeholders on how to read dashboards or interpret KPIs than to dig into the messy, complex, and sometimes ambiguous process of uncovering true executive priorities. When a dashboard doesn’t land or a request feels misaligned, we might shrug it off with, “They just need more data literacy.”

But what if that’s the wrong diagnosis?

When “Data Literacy” Becomes a Cop-Out

Let’s be honest - executives didn’t get to where they are by being unable to understand numbers. They understand performance, risk, tradeoffs, and value creation. What they often don’t get from data teams is clarity on how data connects directly to their business decisions and outcomes.

When we assume the problem is data literacy, we might be overlooking:

• Poor communication of business value

• Metrics that don’t match strategic priorities

• Analysis that answers the wrong question

• Lack of context or storytelling to support insight

In these cases, improving data literacy won’t fix the disconnect. The real problem isn’t a lack of understanding - it’s a lack of alignment.

Why the Gap Exists

There are a few key reasons why this gap persists:

1. We’re solving for data, not decisions. We spend time perfecting models, pipelines, and dashboards - sometimes forgetting to ask: what decision will this enable?

2. Executives speak outcomes; we speak inputs. They care about revenue, risk, and strategic positioning. We talk about schemas, refresh rates, and row-level security.

3. Data literacy feels safer. It’s easier to create a training course than to schedule time with a C-suite exec and ask them directly what’s missing.

How Do We Remove the Crutch?

Bridging the gap requires humility, curiosity, and a shift in mindset. Here’s how we start:

1. Flip the Narrative

Instead of asking, “Why don’t they understand the data?” ask, “Why don’t we understand their goals?”

Make it a habit to lead with business questions:

• What outcome are we driving?

• What decisions are at stake?

• What’s the cost of inaction?

2. Engage Early and Often

Don’t wait for a project to be “done” before showing it to leadership. Involve executives during framing - not just during rollout. Co-create definitions and success criteria.

3. Translate, Don’t Just Teach

Data storytelling isn’t just about being visual or accessible. It’s about connecting the dots between the numbers and what executives care about - strategy, customers, growth, and risk.

4. Build Empathy, Not Just Literacy

Instead of one-way literacy programs, consider two-way learning:

• Teach execs how your data flows - but also learn how their decisions unfold.

• Run joint sessions between data teams and business leaders.

• Use business impact maps, decision trees, and role-playing to understand pain points.

Final Thought: Data Literacy and Business Fluency

We need both. But it’s time we stop hiding behind data literacy programs as the cure-all for misalignment. The real work - the brave work - is building relationships, asking better questions, and stepping into the business arena ourselves.

Only then can we truly bridge the gap - and deliver data that doesn’t just inform, but empowers.

Fox 📊 Consulting bridges the gap in the conversation. Reach out to pull us in.