Scale Your Business With Data Episode 3:From Data Service Desk to Strategic Partner: Building Business Value with Tris Burns

The episode of Scale Your Business With Data podcast, data leadership coach Tris Burns discusses how data teams can evolve beyond the traditional service desk mentality to become strategic business partners. He shares insights on developing emotional intelligence for data leaders, building connections with stakeholders, and creating data-driven cultures that maximize ROI. Tris emphasizes that successful data leadership requires understanding business priorities and demonstrating value through strategic insights rather than just responding to requests.

9:35 - Service Desk Mentality Challenges

13:12 - Building Stakeholder Relationships

18:57 - Centralized vs. Decentralized Models

20:42 - Emotional Intelligence in Data Leadership

25:48 - Communicating Data Insights Effectively

30:15 - Transitioning from School to Business Thinking

35:27 - The Future of Data Professionals

39:57 - AI as a Tool, Not a Job Title

43:15 - Getting Started in Data Leadership

46:16 - The Badass Bookshelf Book Club

51:25 - Storytelling in Data Communication