Adapting the Science of Data Analysis to the Art of Storytelling:

Q: What do you get when you cross a data analyst with a pirate?

A: Someone who specializes in “Rrrr.”

Data puns were flying during the first keynote address on the opening day of the 2026 INFORMS Analytics+ Conference at the Gaylord National Hotel in National Harbor, MD. Popularly known as the “Data Whisperer,” opening keynote speaker Scott Taylor took the stage early in the morning to deliver a lively talk about how today’s data analysts can best convey the importance of their work to members of their organizations’ C-suites.

Using humor, puppetry, and clips of himself attempting (and failing) to explain data analytics to his 10-year-old grandson, Taylor emphasized that, ironically, cultivating the soft skill of effective communication can be the hardest part of a data analyst’s job.

“The way we talk about data may be the biggest barrier to realizing its value,” said Taylor. For data analysts, this means that being able to convey the worth of their work to their company’s C-suite can determine the extent of their professional success. That means leaving industry jargon behind in favor of more widely accessible language.

“You can build sophisticated analytical models, deploy agentic AI, and follow every best practice in the analytics lifecycle – but if leaders and stakeholders don’t understand why it matters, support, engagement, and funding will remain out of reach,” Taylor explained.

Getting from “How” to “Why”

Taylor frequently returned to his point that, when communicating outside of the data analytics sphere, explaining the “why” of data analytics (i.e., why it is adaptable to solving real-world problems) is much more important than explaining the “how” (i.e., in-the-weeds explanations of the methodology of the work).

“The trick is to learn new ways to talk about what you already know through effective storytelling techniques,” said Taylor. 

To convey the real-world value of data analytics, Taylor recommends utilizing the “three Vs” of storytelling:  

• Vocabulary: These are the words you use. Leave out the jargon and adopt the language of your business.
• Voice: This is the way you talk. Convey your value consistently. Reflect your organization’s branding when explaining your work.
• Vision. This is how you convey why your work is important. Focus on the practical issues you solve and how that contributes to your organization’s long-term missions. Share your vision at company meetings and highlight your accomplishments in reports and presentations. 

Storytelling Is Timeless

From the very evolution of humanity, storytelling has played an essential role in helping us understand and convey to others the value of our culture, our history, our accomplishments, and our place in the world. It is how we understand our contributions to our communities and to future generations. 

In closing his address, Taylor shared a quote from award-winning screenwriter, playwright, producer, and director Aaron Sorkin, whose storytelling has made him a legend in entertainment circles. 

“Sorkin once said, ‘The most powerful delivery system ever invented for an idea is a story,’” shared Taylor. That simple truth can be employed by everyone, including data analysts.