When was the last time someone used jargon and you had to ask for clarification? How often do you think “if only we could all speak plain English instead of this mumbo jumbo”?

In our professional context there is no shortage of technical language which builds barriers instead of bridges.

That’s where being able to explain complex things in simple terms makes you stand out.

Your personal brand can open doors to new opportunities, helps you make connections with great people and is how others know you before they meet you in real life.

Maintaining your personal brand consistently requires a bit of effort so today I want to share one simple thing you can do that takes 30 minutes or less and can have a big positive impact.

You can learn about data from textbooks, but to get real world experience in solving business questions with data, you need practical exercises and – ideally – a bunch of people who help you create a solution.

The following examples work very well for building data skills, and can also be applied to other topics.

Everyone talks about ‘having a career’ as if there’s a single, unmistakable definition of career. There isn’t. And there isn’t a simple, straight career path you can follow either.

The path is not a straight line you can see from start to finish. Instead it’s a collection of stepping stones, scenic detours, twists and turns, hills and valleys.

The best piece of advice I received from a mentor was to ask more questions.

Asking questions seems like a minor skill but can really set you apart in any conversation. If you’d like to become a better question-asker, then this is for you.

Think back to the last time someone shared a document or code they’d written and you were delighted.

What made the difference to the average work you see on a daily basis? I bet it was their attention to detail.

You have your skills, interests, talents and bring a unique perspective to everything you do.

That makes you someone worth learning from and I want to invite you to entertain a thought: How can you share more of what you know and pass it on to the next generation of data professionals?

It’s important to build and nurture relationships inside your organisation and beyond.

Over the last decade I have focused on building a network that benefits the people in it and connects me with a diverse group of professionals.

Today I want to share my tips for how you can build a strong network that you enjoy and that people want to be part of.

Taking a break should be easy. As kids we all did it effortlessly. Play, explore, learn, then rest.

Somewhere along the way as we got older, we got stuck on a hamster wheel. It’s simple to jump off and take some time out but most of us still don’t do it.

This week I want to share my thoughts on taking a break and still doing things you love (even if they involve screen time).