The Hidden Side of Data Analytics: What Truly Sets Top Analysts Apart
Discover the underrated skill that can boost your data analytics career to the next level.
- | 5 min read
When most people imagine data analysts, the first picture that comes to mind is someone buried in spreadsheets and numbers. The stereotype is out there; people believe that analysts are “number crunchers,” highly technical professionals who only work with massive datasets.
While technical skills are essential, there’s a hidden side to the profession that many overlook. In fact, this underrated ability often matters just as much to employers, if not more, than writing efficient code.
Have you taken any guesses? Could it be intuition, communication, or something else? If you had ‘Communication Skills’ as your guess, you are right. The ability to clearly communicate findings, write compelling reports, and present insights often matters just as much.
Let’s uncover why communication is the underrated superpower of data analysts and how you can build it into your career toolkit.
Beyond the Numbers: Why Communication Matters
At its core, data analytics exists to guide decisions. Stakeholders are not looking at your code, they care about what the data means for them to take action. A technically brilliant analysis that no one understands is essentially wasted work. That’s why employers prize analysts who can bridge the gap between raw numbers and meaningful business stories.
Consider these two scenarios:
Scenario 1: An analyst sends an email noting that “customer churn probability is 0.40 after applying the logistic regression model. Feature importance analysis indicates that onboarding score (0.35) and personalized support interactions (0.28) are the primary predictors.”
Scenario 2: Another analyst delivers one that states, “Our analysis shows that nearly 40% of customers are likely to leave within the next three months. The top two drivers are poor onboarding and lack of personalized support. If we address these areas, we could save up to $2M annually.”
Both analysts used the same model, but only the second turned the data into actionable insight. Guess which one gets noticed by leadership?
The Types of Communication Analysts Need
Communication in analytics takes many forms. Each requires a different approach but contributes to the same goal: making data meaningful.
- Written Reports
Reports are the backbone of analytics communication. They should not just dump tables or code outputs, but instead:- Explain the business question being addressed.
- Summarize methods briefly without overloading technical jargon.
- Highlight the key findings clearly.
- Recommend next steps or actions.
- Data Visualization
Charts, dashboards, and graphs are often the first thing stakeholders look at. A well-crafted visualization can convey patterns instantly that would take paragraphs to explain. Just stay clear from cluttered dashboards or overly complex charts, as they can confuse more than they clarify. Simplicity and storytelling should drive your design. - Presentations
Whether in team meetings or executive briefings, analysts often need to present findings live. This requires tailoring the message: a product manager may want granular detail, while a C-level executive might only care about high-level trends and implications. Being able to adapt on the spot is a skill that separates strong data analysts from the rest. - Everyday Conversations
Communication isn’t limited to formal reports or meetings. Analysts collaborate constantly. Being approachable, clear, and collaborative in daily conversations ensures projects run smoothly and insights are trusted.
Why Employers Value Communication Skills
When employers hire analysts, they aren’t just looking for someone who can handle code. They’re looking for someone who can influence business outcomes. That requires: translating highly technical findings into business value in plan English, building trust and credibility with clear communication, and driving impact through clear communication.
This is why, in job postings, you’ll often see requirements like “strong communication skills” or “ability to present insights to non-technical audiences.” Employers have learned that technical brilliance alone doesn’t guarantee value.
How to Develop Communication Skills as an Analyst
The good news? Communication is a skill you can practice and improve. Here are concrete ways to strengthen it:
- Write for clarity, not complexity. Aim to explain your findings as if you’re speaking to a smart colleague outside your field. Avoid jargon unless it’s absolutely necessary.
- Practice storytelling. Frame every analysis as a narrative: What was the question? What did we find? Why does it matter? What should we do next? Stories stick in people’s minds more than raw numbers.
- Seek feedback. Share your reports or presentations with mentors or peers and ask: “Was this clear? What confused you?” Iterating based on feedback is one of the fastest ways to improve.
- Learn visualization best practices. Study how top analysts and designers create clean, impactful charts. Remember: less is often more.
- Present often. Don’t shy away from presenting in team meetings or town halls. The more you practice public speaking, the more comfortable and effective you’ll become.
Takeaways with Linero Tech
In a crowded job market, technical skills can get your foot in the door, but communication skills will carry you forward. Employers are increasingly looking for analysts who don’t just generate insights but also inspire action through how they communicate them.
The hidden side of data analytics, the ability to write clearly, present persuasively, and connect with different audiences, is often what makes the difference between a competent analyst and an exceptional one.
If you’re aiming to land your next role or grow within your current one, don’t just polish your SQL queries or machine learning models. Invest in building your communication muscle. It may just be the skill that takes your career to the next level.
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