#49 What if you have an epic data story but you're worried people in the meeting won't get it?

Most data storytelling advice focuses on the analysis: choosing the right data, selecting the best charts, and building compelling visuals. But in real organisations, the hardest part is often what happens after the analysis — when you have to share the data in a meeting.

In this episode, Dr. Selena Fisk explores why data conversations can break down in mixed-skill meetings, where some people speak fluently in metrics, others think in outcomes, and some are quietly trying to interpret the chart (or work out whether what they're seeing is "right"). Without designing for this reality, meetings become predictable: the confident voices dominate, less-confident participants withdraw, and decisions get made on partial understanding and momentum.

Instead of a step-by-step process, this episode offers 10 practical principles for data storytelling in meetings to help you facilitate inclusive, productive dialogue while maintaining technical integrity.

Some of the things you'll learn in this episode

• Why leading with purpose (the decision) is more effective than leading with charts

• How to separate observation, interpretation, and decision-making to reduce unproductive debate

• How to reduce cognitive load so people can think, not just interpret visuals

If you present data in meetings, lead teams, or want better decision-making conversations around metrics, this episode will help you design meetings where more people can participate in meaning-making — and where data leads to action and learning.

Keywords: data storytelling in meetings, data storytelling principles, presenting data to stakeholders, mixed-skill teams, leading with purpose, making clarity questions normal, decision-making with data, communicating data insights, inclusive meetings, facilitating data discussions, reduce cognitive load, narrating charts, data-informed leadership

#datastorytelling #decisionmaking #leadership #data #meetings #communication