MindSpeaking Podcast Episode 27 - Jeremy Adamson, VP of Business Intelligence
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Timestamps:
00:01 – Introduction by Gilbert Eijkelenboom
00:23 – Guest introduction: Jeremy Adamson, author of Geeks with Empathy
01:25 – Start of conversation: Empathy and the "geek mentality"
02:03 – Jeremy discusses the importance of empathy in the data world
02:42 – The challenge of the "misunderstood outsider" mindset among data professionals
03:47 – Evolution of data and business collaboration
06:11 – Changing self-perception from "outsiders" to "partners"
10:50 – Discussing stakeholder resistance and building empathy
14:44 – Personal story of misunderstanding a senior stakeholder
18:06 – Importance of mindfulness in data work
25:05 – How respect and empathy impact business relationships
33:03 – Social versus market contracts in business relationships
38:30 – The future of data work and the growing importance of empathy
Summary:
In this episode, Jeremy Adamson, VP of Business Intelligence and author of Geeks with Empathy, shares insights on bridging the gap between data and business. He discusses the importance of empathy, moving beyond the "geek mentality", and transforming data professionals from order-takers to strategic business partners.
Key takeaways include:
✅ Building trust and relationships with stakeholders
✅ Shifting from transactional to social contracts
✅ Using the Coffee Metric to strengthen business connections
✅ The growing value of communication skills in an AI-driven world
Introduction: Why This Episode Matters
🎙️ Gilbert Eijkelenboom:
Today’s guest is Jeremy Adamson, a leading voice in the data space. Jeremy is a former Senior Manager of AI at Deloitte and now serves as VP of Business Intelligence. He’s also the author of two books, Minding the Machines and Geeks with Empathy—the latter being the focus of today’s conversation.
In this episode, we’ll discuss:
✔ How to bridge the gap between data and business
✔ Building strong stakeholder relationships
✔ Avoiding common mistakes that limit your influence
✔ Ensuring your analytical work gets the attention it deserves
If you want to become a trusted business partner as a data professional, or if you’re looking for ways to increase your data team’s business impact, this episode is for you.
Enjoy the conversation with Jeremy Adamson!
The Story Behind Geeks with Empathy
🎙️ Gilbert: Jeremy, welcome!
🗣️ Jeremy Adamson: Thanks for having me, Gilbert. Excited to be here!
🎙️ Gilbert: I was immediately drawn to the title Geeks with Empathy. Before we dive into the book itself, how did you come up with that title?
🗣️ Jeremy: I wanted to capture the core message of the book in a punchy way—that data professionals need to move beyond the “geek mentality” and develop empathy for their business counterparts. The title had to communicate that shift as directly as possible.
🎙️ Gilbert: You mentioned moving away from the “geek mentality.” What do you mean by that?
🗣️ Jeremy: Many data professionals see themselves as outsiders, separate from the business. There’s this stereotype: the misunderstood geniuses in the basement holding everything together while the business folks don’t “get it.” This mindset, while comforting, is harmful to career growth.
When we cling too tightly to technology, we distance ourselves from the people we serve. Instead of simply focusing on technical excellence, we need to embrace empathy—understanding stakeholders' motivations, challenges, and priorities. That’s what leads to real impact.
🎙️ Gilbert: That’s such an important perspective! Let’s zoom out—how has the gap between data and business evolved over time?
🗣️ Jeremy: A decade ago, we had more generalists in data. Engineers, finance professionals, and actuaries transitioned into data roles, bringing business knowledge with them. There was a guild mentality—mutual respect and trust among data practitioners.
Now, data has fragmented into specialized roles—data engineers, visualization experts, analysts, data scientists. This specialization has pushed data professionals further away from business stakeholders. And when that happens, empathy declines.
Reframing the Data Professional’s Role
🎙️ Gilbert: You emphasize a shift in self-perception—from intelligent outsider to business partner. Why is that important?
🗣️ Jeremy: When we position ourselves as order-takers, we stay safe. If we only follow instructions, we can’t be blamed for bad outcomes. But that also means we don’t influence decisions.
To drive impact, we must take ownership—make recommendations, challenge assumptions, and co-create solutions with stakeholders. Yes, this is riskier, but it’s also how we get recognized and respected.
🎙️ Gilbert: Many data professionals feel that it’s the business’s job to understand data better. What’s your take on that?
🗣️ Jeremy: It’s a common complaint: “Why don’t business leaders learn more about data?” But the truth is, someone has to take the first step. Business leaders won’t suddenly wake up one day and decide to bridge the gap—we have to initiate that connection.
If we understand their needs, challenges, and language, we make it easier for them to engage with data. It’s on us to build that bridge.
🎙️ Gilbert: Absolutely! And that shift starts with understanding stakeholder motivations. You share a great story in the book about a senior business leader who seemed resistant to change—can you tell us about that?
🗣️ Jeremy: Absolutely. Early in my career, I proposed an analytical project to a senior executive. He shut it down immediately. My team and I dismissed him as an old-school thinker resistant to innovation.
Later, we realized his real concern wasn’t the technology—it was his team’s job security. He feared automation would disrupt career paths and remove key training opportunities for new employees. Once we understood that, our approach changed completely.
🎙️ Gilbert: That’s such a powerful lesson—assuming the best intentions instead of immediately judging resistance.
Practical Strategies for Building Trust
🎙️ Gilbert: Let’s talk about how to build relationships with business stakeholders. You mention the social vs. market contract—can you explain that?
🗣️ Jeremy: The social contract is based on relationships—mutual trust, goodwill, and collaboration. The market contract, on the other hand, is purely transactional—a business deal with no personal connection.
When data teams operate under a market contract, business leaders see them as service providers, not partners. That’s why I always advise data professionals to invest in relationships before they need something.
🎙️ Gilbert: That’s a great distinction. What practical steps can data professionals take to move toward a social contract with stakeholders?
🗣️ Jeremy: Here’s a simple but powerful tactic: The Coffee Metric. I challenge data professionals to spend a set amount of money per month buying coffee or lunch for stakeholders.
Once you share a meal with someone, you move from a transactional relationship to a personal one. You learn about their challenges, their pressures, their motivations. And when that happens, collaboration becomes so much smoother.
🎙️ Gilbert: I love that! It’s such a small action but has a huge impact.
The Future of Data & Communication Skills
🎙️ Gilbert: Looking ahead, with AI and automation advancing, how do you see the role of empathy in data work evolving?
🗣️ Jeremy: As AI takes over technical tasks, the uniquely human skills—empathy, storytelling, stakeholder influence—will become even more valuable. If you only focus on the technical side, you’re competing with automation. But if you combine technical expertise with strong communication skills, you make yourself irreplaceable.
🎙️ Gilbert: That’s a powerful insight. Jeremy, this has been an incredible conversation! Where can people follow you and find your books?
🗣️ Jeremy: I’m most active on LinkedIn, and Geeks with Empathy is available on Amazon.
🎙️ Gilbert: Fantastic! I’ll include the links in the show notes. Jeremy, thank you for joining the MindSpeaking Podcast and for helping bridge the gap between data and business!
🗣️ Jeremy: My pleasure!
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