People are emotional, irrational, and impulsive, but they also play a crucial part in any data strategy work. Yet why is the people part of data strategy so difficult? Tiankai decodes the human aspects of data strategy into an actionable framework, linking human needs with business objectives through the Five Cs: Competence, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Conscience.

Tiankai Feng is a creative force of nature in the data space. Since bursting onto the scene with his “Governors of Data” rap song and music parodies, he has proven time and again that he can effectively wrap the truth about data management in a business-accessible coating. His new book, Humanizing Data Strategy, is a natural extension of his unique form of thought leadership.

Tiankai strives to illuminate the human side of data strategy. By acknowledging the inherent biases and emotional influences in data analysis, he underscores the need for empathy and compassion in the realm of data-driven decision-making. With his trademark blend of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom, he offers a simple but compelling 5Cs framework for making data strategy more inclusive and impactful. A must-read for anyone looking to humanize their data practices and foster a more collaborative and ethical data culture at their enterprise.

Scott Taylor – The Data Whisperer,
Author of Telling Your Data Story

In an era where books come and go, this book by Tiankai Feng stands out! From the very first page, it’s clear that this book is both thoughtful and heartfelt in a world where reason and logic have sanitized our senses, and data rules the world. Tiankai offers readers a deep well of wisdom, along with meaningful reflection on the subject of all things data. His perspective, thought leadership, and unique way of humanizing the entire lifecycle is refreshing. I highly recommend this book to data nerds, strategists, book snobs, and literary aficionados alike.

Sol Rashidi
Bestselling author of Your AI Survival Guide, Former Chief Data/Analytics/AI Officer @ Fortune 100s,
Forbes ‘AI Visionary of the 21st Century’

Too often, we relegate people to a workstream. In his book “Humanizing Data Strategy,” author Tiankai Feng helps us understand that the “people” part of a data strategy is our superpower. From the 5Cs Framework to the roles we all play, Feng breaks down how to build a killer data strategy in your own organization. A must read for anyone starting (or re-starting) their data strategy.

Laura Madsen, Author of AI and the Data Revolution

Humanizing Data Strategy brilliantly bridges the gap between data-driven insights and human-centric decision-making. This book is a must-read for any data professional looking to balance technical expertise with the essential human touch.

Robert S. Seiner
President & Principal of KIK Consulting & Educational Services

As the founder of a data community and education company, I encounter an endless amount of literature and content on data strategy, but ‘Humanizing Data Strategy’ stands out as a true game-changer. This book brilliantly bridges the gap between data expertise and human-centric approaches, a balance so many data leaders try to achieve.

Whether you’re working at a startup or a Fortune 500 company, this book will reshape how you approach data governance and focus on the soft skills needed to bring your program to the next level.

Philip Black
CEO and Founder: DataQG

When Tiankai told me he had written a book about ‘humanizing data strategy,’ I couldn’t think of anyone better for the topic. Tiankai brings people together, whether it be through culture, music, or data and we are better for it and this book is a must for anyone who wants people at the heart of their data strategy.

Chris Brown
Friend, Colleague, Data Governor

Data strategy is rapidly becoming an essential pillar of the modern business. There’s only one challenge: too often, data strategies miss the mark, usually by failing to balance the technology, culture, and process unique to the data world. A more holistic approach has long been needed. Tiankai accepts that challenge with alacrity and a clear and convincing tone and sets out a stable and reliable path for the modern executive to start getting real value from their data.

Emily Gorcenski
Head of Data & AI Service Line, Thoughtworks Europe

This book is a great guide that deftly balances the technical and human aspects of data strategy, emphasizing the critical role of people in driving data initiatives. Tiankai’s approach to integrating the 5Cs: Competence, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, and Conscience offers a comprehensive framework that resonates deeply with the core principles of effective data management.

One of the standout aspects of this book and one that I appreciated greatly is its emphasis on the human side of data. By focusing on the intrinsic motivations and the collaborative spirit necessary for data initiatives to succeed, it underscores the importance of empathy, trust, and continuous learning. The author’s dedication to making data strategies not just a technical exercise but a human-centered one is refreshing and essential in today’s data-driven world.

“Humanizing Data Strategy” is a resource for anyone involved in data management, from seasoned professionals to those just starting out. It is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their data strategy with a people-first approach that drives real, sustainable success.

George Firican, Founder of LightsOnData, and
Data Governance instructor and expert

Data problems are people problems, and this book eloquently addresses the real issue – people and their attitude/approach towards data. But what really moved me was reading a reference to a data scientist as “she”. I felt seen and heard, this is such a great step forward inclusion and inspiring young girls and women. Thank you.

Susan Walsh
Founder & MD, The Classification Guru

Humanizing Data Strategy is a must read for data practitioners and techies of all stripes, forcing you to rethink your data relations, putting your customers, those you serve, and human factors at the center from the start; one data conversation, humanity transformed, at a time!

Pedro Cardoso, known as “the Data Ninja”, is a Data & AI thought leader and is Global Director, Data Strategy @ Syniti

The human side of data is the key to succeed with data strategies. However objective and technical data may appear, at some point, a human was involved. Remembering this is the key.

Ole Olesen-Bagneux
Author of The Enterprise Data Catalog