One of the dangers of our increasingly digital and data-driven world is when managers are encouraged to overuse data. This is especially pernicious for new and upcoming managers, as data becomes a crutch for them to lean on. It robs them of the hard work and opportunity to manage through judgement, through critical thought, through active listening and conversation. Some of the very factors that take you from managing to leading.
Numbers are essential, but you can’t lead with them. I’ve yet to see a team inspired to greatness by an elegant spreadsheet.