10 Things Great Data Analysts Do
Good vs. Bad Data Analyst — the mindset, habits, and behaviors
Hey friends - Happy Tuesday!
After working on data analytics projects for over 15 years, I can honestly say:
I’ve met every kind of data analyst you can imagine.
Some leave no real impact. Others change how the business thinks.
Today, I want to share the real signs I’ve personally seen - the things that separate great analysts from the ones that just… exist.
And while writing this post, I couldn’t help but think of one of the best analysts I’ve worked with at Mercedes-Benz 👊
Let’s dive in 👇
1. Mindset: Start With "Why"
Bad Analyst: Dives into the data instantly. Looks for patterns without knowing what problem they’re solving.
Good Analyst: Asks “Why?” right away. Wants to understand the decision behind the data.
The best analysts don’t start with data, they start with purpose.
2. Independent Thinking
Bad Analyst: Waits for tasks. Only moves when someone assigns them work.
Good Analyst: Spots issues no one mentioned. Flags problems early. Brings unexpected insights to the table.
The best analysts don’t need a ticket, they think like owners.
3. Tools Obsession
Bad Analyst: Constantly debates Power BI vs Tableau. Talks more about the tool than the outcome.
Good Analyst: Focuses on the question, the story, the result. They use whatever tool helps get there faster.
No one remembers what tool you used. They remember what problem you solved.
4. Collaboration with the Business
Bad Analyst: Hides behind dashboards. Joins meetings only when forced. Sends reports, but never follows up.
Good Analyst: Co-builds with stakeholders. Sits with users. Listens more than talks. Tries to live the process to feel the pain points. Drafts charts together.
The best insights come from conversations - not dashboards.
5. Outcomes, Not Volume
Bad Analyst: Builds 100 dashboards that no one looks at.
Good Analyst: Builds 5 dashboards the whole team relies on every week.
Real impact isn’t in quantity — it’s in usefulness.
6. Storytelling
Bad Analyst: Talks about filters and features like it’s a product tour. Sends dashboards full of charts, hoping someone finds the insight.
Good Analyst: Guides you through the data like a story. There’s a setup, a turning point, and a clear takeaway. By the end, you feel like you just watched a short movie - not a report.
The best dashboards don’t just inform - they tell a story that sticks.
7. Bias & Assumptions
Bad Analyst: Looks for data that confirms their idea. Rushes to conclusions.
Good Analyst: Challenges their own thinking. Questions patterns that feel too perfect. Listens to the data - even when it’s uncomfortable.
Your job isn’t to be right
8. Behavior When Things Goes Wrong
Bad Analyst: Blames the tools. Blames the data. Thinks the users are just not smart enough.
Good Analyst: When something’s off, they investigate. They ask questions, stay calm, fix the root cause - and never make the same mistake twice.
The best analysts don’t protect their ego - they protect the truth.
9. Gut Feeling Over Data
Bad Analyst: Has all the tools. Clean data. Beautiful dashboard. But when it’s time to explain a business decision, they say “I just feel like this is the right trend.”
Good Analyst: Builds their case on evidence. Uses data to tell the story — even when it challenges assumptions or makes the answer uncomfortable.
If your gut speaks louder than your data, you’re not doing analytics — you’re doing guesswork.
10. Choosing the Right Visuals
Bad Analyst: Chooses charts because they look nice together. Prioritizes design over meaning. Fills dashboards with visuals that impress but don’t inform.
Good Analyst: Picks each chart with purpose. Bar for comparisons, line for trends, scatter for patterns. The visual fits the question, not the vibe.
A great chart doesn’t just match the color palette - it matches the question.
Final Thoughts
Being a great analyst isn’t about how many dashboards you publish. It’s not about your toolset, or even your years of experience.
It’s about how you think.
How you solve problems.
And how you help real people make better decisions — with clarity, honesty, and care.
Here’s what I try to live by - maybe it helps you too 👇
I start with why — not just the data
I look for the real problem before jumping in
I don’t wait for tasks — I think like an owner
I focus on outcomes, not output
I tell stories, not just build reports
I challenge my own assumptions
I build with users, not for them
I follow up to make sure my work gets used
I don’t blame the tool — I fix the root cause
I trust data over gut feelings
I choose visuals that clarify, not decorate
I keep learning — tools, thinking, communication
I protect the truth — not my ego
And if you made it this far, you’re already one of the good ones.
Catch you next time,
Baraa 👋
In this video, I answered the most frequently asked questions I get from you about becoming a data analyst.
Hey friends —
I’m Baraa. I’m an IT professional and YouTuber.
My mission is to share the knowledge I’ve gained over the years and to make working with data easier, fun, and accessible to everyone through courses that are free, simple, and easy!
Great Blog Baraa Sir
This is my everyday goal. Thanks for sharing, I learnt this process from you. You are solid sir