When your boss asks you to “get the numbers,” you may dive into your research and put together a full report. Only instead of your boss appreciating the information, you get questions you didn’t anticipate or a blank stare. If this happens, it’s usually because you provided the numbers as asked, but you didn’t translate it into any useful information.

Karin Hurt, the founder and CEO of Let’s Grow Leaders, says you can build trust and influence when you learn to transform data into insights. In other words, don’t just report the numbers but share what they mean and what to do next. For example, if you added 50 new leads this month, you could say, “Hey, that’s a 20% increase over last month. I think we should double down on our email campaign. What do you think?”

First, though, Hurt says you should ask yourself 4 questions before sharing any slide deck or stopping to chat with your boss. We share her thoughts in this issue of PromoPro Daily.

  1. What’s the real ask here? Make sure you understand the context behind the ask. Is your boss just curious? Is he or she preparing a presentation or making a decision? Hurt recommends asking, “To be sure I give you exactly what you need, how will you be using this information?”

  2. How do they want it? Different people prefer different formats. Maybe an email summary would be best or perhaps your boss could use a one-pager or a visual dashboard. Hurt says you can find out by saying, “Would it be most helpful in bullet points, a visual summary or some other format?”

  3. When do they need it? Your boss may say they need the numbers when you get a chance, but that could mean they show up at your desk later that day asking for them. That’s why Hurt recommends always clarifying the deadline and expectations.

  4. What does the data mean? According to Hurt, this is what it really means to turn data into insights. You’re closest to the work, so take a stand and offer your perspective. Hurt advises anticipating the next 3 questions your boss might ask and answering those questions before they even get asked.


Ask yourself 4 simple questions the next time your boss asks for “the numbers.” What’s the real ask? How should it land? When do they need it? And most importantly, what does the data mean? Answering these questions helps you move beyond just reporting the numbers to guiding decisions.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Karin Hurt is the founder and CEO of Let’s Grow Leaders, a global leadership development and training firm.