Data, Strategy, Culture & Power

Companies will spend more than $200B on AI hardware, software, systems & services each year from 2025 through 2030, but 75%+ of these initiatives are projected to fail. The remaining 25% will only realize a return on investment (ROI) of 6% or less… far short of the promise of AI.

What is everyone missing?

The best AI comes from the best data, and the best data comes from the best people. But even the best people are impacted by subconscious bias, past trauma, interpersonal relationships, and power dynamics… no one is immune to human nature. This book was written to help you navigate the pitfalls of perception, build a foundation for trust, and elevate organizational performance. Make your data and AI initiatives succeed where others fail.

"Data, Strategy, Culture & Power" is a must-read for anyone who works with (or uses) data, analytics, and AI in today's complex organizations. This book challenges the notion that data always leads to objective insights, exposing the ways in which power differentials and biases short circuit rational behavior - and what leaders can do about it.

Data can not be decoupled from power. By embracing the imperfections inherent in data and human nature, this book shows how data-centric AI can be both a blessing and a curse - and how you can make the best of it.

Part I: Navigating the Pitfalls of Perception
Chapter 1: Beware of the Limits of Truth
Chapter 2: Beware of Your Own Brain
Chapter 3: Beware of Other People
Chapter 4: Beware of Collective Delusion

Part II: Building a Foundation for Trust
Chapter 5: Data Integrity is Process Integrity
Chapter 6: Knowing What "Good" Means
Chapter 7: Evidence, Context & Action

Part III: Elevating Organizational Performance
Chapter 8: Anticipate Fragility
Chapter 9: Infuse Data with Power
Chapter 10: Create Beliefs that Inspire
Chapter 11: Raise the Bar