Brent Dykes
@analyticshero.bsky.social
Author of Effective Data Storytelling
Chief Data Storyteller / Founder at AnalyticsHero, LLC
Chief Data Storyteller / Founder at AnalyticsHero, LLC
Don't let a legend add unwanted cognitive load. Try to use direct labels whenever possible.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Whenever your chart uses a legend, you add cognitive load to the equation.
It may seem like a minor inconvenience if someone has to glance back and forth between a chart and its legend, but those… | ...
Whenever your chart uses a legend, you add cognitive load to the equation.
It may seem like a minor inconvenience if someone has to glance back and forth between a chart and its legend, but those lit...
www.linkedin.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Don't let a legend add unwanted cognitive load. Try to use direct labels whenever possible.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
A single slide can't tell the whole data story. You need additional pieces to complete the picture.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
I’m sorry, but a chart isn’t a data story. It’s just a piece.
When you share a single chart without context, your audience is forced to assemble the rest of the puzzle on their own.
And most of… | ...
I’m sorry, but a chart isn’t a data story. It’s just a piece.
When you share a single chart without context, your audience is forced to assemble the rest of the puzzle on their own.
And most of the...
www.linkedin.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:08 PM
A single slide can't tell the whole data story. You need additional pieces to complete the picture.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Same chart, different takeaways. Steering the audience down a particular path isn't manipulation; it's focused communication.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Some people feel uncomfortable steering the audience toward a particular takeaway.
They worry that data storytelling isn’t “objective” and feel that the data should simply speak for itself.
What… | ...
Some people feel uncomfortable steering the audience toward a particular takeaway.
They worry that data storytelling isn’t “objective” and feel that the data should simply speak for itself.
What the...
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November 18, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Same chart, different takeaways. Steering the audience down a particular path isn't manipulation; it's focused communication.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Don't let those default "extras" interfere with your data visualizations by adding unwanted noise.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
As I review client presentations, I’m constantly reminded how often charts are burdened with unnecessary “extras.”
Borders, gridlines, axis lines, tick marks, etc.
These elements may seem harmless,…...
As I review client presentations, I’m constantly reminded how often charts are burdened with unnecessary “extras.”
Borders, gridlines, axis lines, tick marks, etc.
These elements may seem harmless, ...
www.linkedin.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Don't let those default "extras" interfere with your data visualizations by adding unwanted noise.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Sorry, I disagree that you should "make the audience the hero of your story."
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
I have a bone to pick.
I’m sure some of you won’t agree with me.
You’ve probably heard this advice before:
👉 “Make your audience the hero.”
It sounds empowering and audience-centered—but it… | Bren...
I have a bone to pick.
I’m sure some of you won’t agree with me.
You’ve probably heard this advice before:
👉 “Make your audience the hero.”
It sounds empowering and audience-centered—but it actuall...
www.linkedin.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Sorry, I disagree that you should "make the audience the hero of your story."
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Don't limit the number of slides for presentations. Instead, limit the time for the presentations.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Executives often limit the number of slides for a presentation. The goal is fair—keep the content concise and respect their limited time.
But limiting slides usually backfires. Analysts cram too… | B...
Executives often limit the number of slides for a presentation. The goal is fair—keep the content concise and respect their limited time.
But limiting slides usually backfires. Analysts cram too much...
www.linkedin.com
September 25, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Don't limit the number of slides for presentations. Instead, limit the time for the presentations.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Beware of the Data Meddleman! Don't let them interfere with your data success.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
A while ago, I chatted with an analyst who was frustrated. Her business team refused to let her meet directly with executives. All she got was vague requirements for an executive dashboard.
She… | B...
A while ago, I chatted with an analyst who was frustrated. Her business team refused to let her meet directly with executives. All she got was vague requirements for an executive dashboard.
She went...
www.linkedin.com
September 16, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Beware of the Data Meddleman! Don't let them interfere with your data success.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Leaping to judgment is always a problem. Data storytelling is about slowing down, resisting shortcuts (not jumping to conclusions), and making better decisions. One statistic is just a clue—you need context and deeper analysis to see and understand the full picture.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Too often, people leap to judgment with data.
They see something in the numbers, make a snap judgment, and quickly form a supporting narrative—frequently, the wrong one or one they later have to… | B...
Too often, people leap to judgment with data.
They see something in the numbers, make a snap judgment, and quickly form a supporting narrative—frequently, the wrong one or one they later have to just...
www.linkedin.com
September 12, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Leaping to judgment is always a problem. Data storytelling is about slowing down, resisting shortcuts (not jumping to conclusions), and making better decisions. One statistic is just a clue—you need context and deeper analysis to see and understand the full picture.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Annotations are an integral part of data storytelling. However, people often confuse them with commentary, which serves a different purpose. In this post, I review three types of annotations and contrast them with commentary.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
September 10, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Annotations are an integral part of data storytelling. However, people often confuse them with commentary, which serves a different purpose. In this post, I review three types of annotations and contrast them with commentary.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
If you're sharing insights, you'll definitely run into cognitive dissonance. Data storytelling is your secret weapon for helping audiences to overcome it.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
If you’ve read my book or attended one of my workshops, you know I’m fascinated by the psychology behind data communication and decision-making.
For example, when your data challenges what people… | ...
If you’ve read my book or attended one of my workshops, you know I’m fascinated by the psychology behind data communication and decision-making.
For example, when your data challenges what people bel...
www.linkedin.com
September 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM
If you're sharing insights, you'll definitely run into cognitive dissonance. Data storytelling is your secret weapon for helping audiences to overcome it.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Have you tried using the jitter effect? In some situations, it can be helpful to spread out data so patterns are easier to see.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Not every visualization challenge requires switching to an entirely different chart type. Sometimes, a small adjustment can have a big impact.
When data points stack directly on top of each other… | ...
Not every visualization challenge requires switching to an entirely different chart type. Sometimes, a small adjustment can have a big impact.
When data points stack directly on top of each other, yo...
www.linkedin.com
September 2, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Have you tried using the jitter effect? In some situations, it can be helpful to spread out data so patterns are easier to see.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
"Shooting the messenger" ruins your data culture
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www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Most organizations talk about being more “data-driven,” but one destructive leadership behavior quietly undermines that goal: shooting the messenger.
When analysts or managers are punished for… | Bre...
Most organizations talk about being more “data-driven,” but one destructive leadership behavior quietly undermines that goal: shooting the messenger.
When analysts or managers are punished for sharin...
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August 26, 2025 at 5:36 PM
"Shooting the messenger" ruins your data culture
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
In #datastorytelling, narrative isn't just good for your audience, it's good for you as the presenter.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
Recently, I was discussing the benefits of data storytelling with a client. Most people see narrative as something that benefits the audience.
It makes your data communications:
✅ 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠… | Brent ...
Recently, I was discussing the benefits of data storytelling with a client. Most people see narrative as something that benefits the audience.
It makes your data communications:
✅ 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 – capture...
www.linkedin.com
August 21, 2025 at 5:38 PM
In #datastorytelling, narrative isn't just good for your audience, it's good for you as the presenter.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
How do you use color in your #datastorytelling? Here are five ways to take advantage of color in your data stories.
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www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
In my data storytelling workshops, I often say color is one of the most powerful tools in your visual storytelling toolbox. | Brent Dykes
In my data storytelling workshops, I often say color is one of the most powerful tools in your visual storytelling toolbox.
Here are five key ways color can enhance your data stories:
1️⃣ 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐢...
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August 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
How do you use color in your #datastorytelling? Here are five ways to take advantage of color in your data stories.
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...
www.linkedin.com/posts/brentd...