unDUBBED

D34 Lifting the Floor: How Andy Kriebel Builds Unstoppable Tableau Analysts

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Summary

What does it actually take to build a confident Tableau analyst? In this episode of unDUBBED, hosts Sarah Burnett and Fiona Crocker sit down with Andy Kriebel, Tableau Visionary, Hall of Famer, and founder of Next Level Tableau, to explore the coaching philosophy that has shaped some of the best analytical talent in the global data community.

Andy has spent nearly two decades turning analysts into exceptional performers. Ten of his trainees have gone on to become Tableau Visionaries themselves, out of only 72 people worldwide who hold that distinction. His stated goal is to make you so good at Tableau that you don't need him anymore.

The conversation explores how confidence is built through environment rather than personality, why soft skills are just as critical as technical ability, and what separates analysts who improve slowly from those who accelerate fast. Andy also reflects on his journey from underwriter to Facebook manager to head coach at the Data School in London, and how those experiences shaped the live, community-driven training model at the heart of Next Level Tableau.

Whether you're an analyst wanting to level up, a manager building a high-performing data team, or someone pivoting into a data career, this episode is packed with honest, practical insights you can apply straight away.

 

Takeaways
  • Confidence isn't a personality trait - it's an environment you deliberately design.
  • The earliest signal that someone will step up is their willingness to put in just that little bit of extra work.
  • Active participation, homework, and portfolio building compound quickly - especially for career changers.
  • The number one predictor of a great consultant is listening, not technical skill.
  • Career changers who invest their own money in learning consistently outperform those whose companies foot the bill.
  • Building your network and connecting with people already doing what you want to do is the fastest shortcut to career growth.
  • Communities thrive when everyone focuses on lifting the floor, not racing to the top.
  • Even experienced Tableau practitioners pick up new efficiency gains in every single class.
  • The difference between learning Tableau and thinking Tableau is built through deliberate repetition and observation.
  • Great managers remove obstacles, deliver no surprises at review time, and show up consistently for their people.



    • Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Confidence in Data Analysis

    02:55 Building a Community of Confident Analysts

    05:45 The Role of Teaching and Engagement

    08:42 Andy Kriebel's Journey to Coaching

    11:28 The Importance of Soft Skills in Data Analysis

    14:00 Creating a Supportive Learning Environment

    16:23 Nurturing Confidence Through Environment

    19:10 Career Transitions and Building Skills

    22:36 Navigating Career Changes

    27:28 The Importance of Active Participation

    33:19 Learning Through Observation

    36:24 Thinking Like Tableau

    39:35 Key Traits of a Great Consultant

    Links

    Next Level Tableau - https://nextleveltableau.com/

    Andy Kriebel on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykriebel/

    Tableau Public Profile of Andy Kriebel - https://public.tableau.com/profile/andy.kriebel

    DataIQ Top 100 Influential People in Data - https://www.dataiq.co.uk/top-100-influential-people-in-data

    Keywords

    Data Visualization, Tableau, Data Training, Community Building, Soft Skills, Data Career, Analytics Confidence

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    unDUBBEDBy Fiona Crocker & Sarah Burnett | co-founders, dub dub data