In this episode, Tech Break by Friday podcast welcomes Abhishek Yadav, a leader in data and business intelligence at the Mayo Clinic.

Abhishek Yadav is a BI and GenAI professional passionate about making data human, understandable, and actionable. With over a decade of experience in analytics, AI, and data storytelling, his work focuses on bridging the gap between insight and impact through visual intelligence. His projects combine algorithmic precision with intuitive design, helping organizations make faster, smarter, and more empathetic decisions.

Find him on: LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/abhishekdsyyadav]

Abhishek explains how visual intelligence and data visualization are reshaping decision-making in organizations today. The discussion explores why visualization is often overlooked in data conversations, why the best visuals require both technical and creative skills, and how empathy and effective communication are essential for compelling storytelling with data.

Abhishek shares lessons learned from years of designing impactful dashboards, emphasizing the value of clarity over complexity, and describes real-world examples, including an innovative, question-driven visualization that improved patient appointment flows in healthcare. The episode covers actionable tips for improving visualization literacy, what makes successful dashboards, and how AI and generative tools are making data more accessible and conversational for everyone.

Whether you’re a data beginner or a seasoned analyst, you’ll learn both practical techniques and big-picture insights about the evolving field of data visualization. The episode concludes with Abhishek’s advice for anyone starting out in this field and reflections on the growing partnership between humans and AI in making informed decisions with data.​

00:00 – Introduction and Welcome

00:16 – Guest Introduction: Abhishek Yadav

00:53 – What is Visual Intelligence?

01:18 – Why Data Visualization Is Underrated

02:47 – Visualization: Hard Skill or Soft Skill?

03:08 – Empathy and Communication in Visualization

04:01 – Storytelling and Translation in Visualization

04:56 – Common Mistakes in Data Dashboards

07:14 – Improving Visualization Literacy

08:40 – Influences and Learning: Edward Tufte & Real-World Feedback

10:00 – What Is Question-Driven Visualization?

11:25 – Healthcare Example: Appointment Scheduling Flow

12:26 – Designing Question-Driven Visuals—User Journey

14:31 – Guiding Teams: Fostering Curiosity via Dashboards

17:17 – Prioritization Tool Project Walkthrough

20:29 – Measuring the Impact of Data Visualization

22:57 – The Future: AI, Generative Tools, and Conversational Dashboards

29:20 – Career Advice: How to Start in Data Visualization

33:05 – Wrap-Up, Final Thoughts, and Thanks

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