Tiankai Feng on why humanity is the glue that holds federated data teams together

Couch Confidentials by Martech Therapy

In Episode 4 of Couch Confidentials Powered by Martech Therapy, host Matthew Niederberger welcomes Tiankai Feng, the author of Humanizing Data Strategy. Together, they explore the intersection of data, humanity, and leadership. From responding to criticism as an author to building trust in data teams and balancing technical expertise with emotional intelligence, this episode dives into the philosophy behind humanizing data. Tiankai also shares insights on the future of AI, data convergence, and his unexpected connections between music and data strategy.

If you’re passionate about data, leadership, or just curious about the human side of analytics, this episode is for you!

Takeaways:

1. Criticism Builds Resilience: Tiankai shared how dealing with a one-star review on his book taught him the importance of focusing on the bigger picture and using criticism as an opportunity for personal growth.
2. TAG Framework: His concept of Talk, Act, Guide emphasizes that talking about data’s importance isn’t enough—leaders need to act on it and guide others to align with data-driven goals.
3. Music and Data Connection: Tiankai revealed how his musical background influenced his data career by balancing analytical precision with emotional storytelling, much like composing music.
4. Trust is the Foundation: Whether working in data or leadership, building trust—through understanding, active listening, and collaboration—is central to success.
5. Cross-Decking Insight: Tiankai discussed the concept of immersing oneself in other teams or departments, akin to Matthew's military-inspired “cross-pollination,” as a way to build empathy and improve collaboration.
6. Generative AI and Team Dynamics: While AI insights can enhance decision-making, Tiankai argued that critical human oversight and teamwork are crucial to ensure AI outcomes are meaningful and accurate.
7. Lonely Data Teams: Tiankai acknowledged the challenges of one-man data teams and emphasized the importance of self-marketing, relationship-building, and connecting with communities to thrive.
8. Leadership Evolution: The discussion highlighted the shift towards humanized, empathetic leadership, driven by trends like agile transformations, federated team structures, and data decentralization.
9. Future Vision for Data: Tiankai hopes for a convergence of business, AI, and data strategies by 2025, breaking down silos and fostering a unified approach to organizational goals.
10. Creative Processes: Despite his achievements, Tiankai remains spontaneous with his creative energy, showing that inspiration can strike unpredictably, whether for books or music.

Funny Quotes:

1. “Me being Dutch, you’ll probably get an invoice in the mail pretty soon.”
2. “Talk is not enough—you have to act like it and guide others too.”
3. “If your Spotify Wrapped is exciting, imagine what a company data wrap would look like!”
4. “Humanity is the glue that holds federated data teams together.”
5. “Music can be math, but it’s also magic—and the same goes for data.”