We recently connected with Dr. Joe Perez and have shared our conversation below.

Dr. Perez, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with inspirations and heroes. Are there any historical figures you look up to?

I look up to Florence Nightingale. While she is renowned as a pioneering nurse and social reformer, Nightingale also demonstrated a remarkable understanding and application of data-driven practices, particularly in healthcare, where I work.

Here are some key lessons and values I’ve learned from Florence Nightingale:

Data-Driven Decision-Making: Nightingale was an early adopter of data-driven decision-making in healthcare. She meticulously collected and analyzed data on mortality rates and sanitation practices during the Crimean War, using this evidence to advocate for improvements in hospital hygiene and patient care. Her work laid the foundation for modern healthcare statistics and epidemiology.

Visualization and Communication: Nightingale was a skilled data visualizer. To make her findings accessible to others, she created the famous “coxcomb” charts (now known as polar area diagrams), which effectively conveyed complex statistical information in a visually compelling manner. Her emphasis on clear communication through data visualization remains relevant today.

Advocacy and Leadership: Beyond data analysis, Nightingale exemplified the value of using data to drive advocacy and bring about positive change. She leveraged her findings to influence policymakers and initiate reforms, emphasizing the power of data in creating a tangible impact.

Perseverance and Resilience: Nightingale faced significant opposition and societal norms that challenged her pursuit of a data-driven approach. Despite these obstacles, she persisted in her efforts and overcame barriers, showcasing resilience and determination in driving her mission forward.

Ethical Use of Data: Nightingale’s commitment to using data ethically and responsibly is a crucial lesson for data professionals today. She focused on data accuracy and integrity, ensuring that the information she presented was reliable and credible.

By looking up to Florence Nightingale, other data-driven technology professionals can also find inspiration in her innovative data practices, advocacy, and leadership, just as I have done. They can learn the importance of data-driven decision-making, effective communication through visualization, perseverance in the face of challenges, and the ethical use of data to drive positive change and make a lasting impact in their own fields of expertise.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve always had a deep-rooted love for imparting knowledge and seeing the spark of understanding light up in someone’s eyes. It’s a passion that stems from my background as an educator, a journey that began with a decade of teaching before diving into the world of IT in the early 1990s. Despite transitioning my primary focus, my love for teaching has never wavered. As I navigated various roles in the IT landscape over the years, from temporary IT positions to my full-time role as a computer consultant at NC State University, I found myself naturally drawn to blending the realms of education and technology.

Over the span of 25 years, I progressed through roles at the university such as analyst programmer, computer training manager, and business intelligence specialist. This trajectory provided me with a unique vantage point: bridging the gap between technical expertise and the art of effective communication. Within this fusion lies my passion for data storytelling, a field that marries my technical skills with my educational roots. It’s not just about presenting data; it’s about crafting narratives that unveil insights and drive impactful decisions. This passion was further fueled when I was recruited away from the university by a phenomenal team at the NC Dept. of Health & Human Services and offered a significant promotion from my previous university role to spearhead data analytics, data warehousing, and business intelligence initiatives. This experience has only strengthened and sharpened that vantage point, fortifying my commitment to empower others with the transformative potential of data storytelling.

My journey as an educator has given me the ability to create connections and facilitate comprehensive learning experiences. This skill (which I truly see as a gift) is particularly valuable when it comes to designing visualizations that convey a compelling message. I firmly believe that data has the potential to not only inform, but also to revolutionize decision-making, and my role is to empower individuals and organizations to harness that power.

In recent years, my public speaking endeavors have flourished exponentially. With decades of experience in the field, I’ve embraced conference speaking with renewed zeal. Surpassing a hundred engagements since 2020 and spanning over twenty countries on multiple continents, I’ve been fortunate and blessed to connect with diverse audiences globally.

However, my mission goes beyond conventional communication; it’s about igniting a fire within the hearts and minds of my audience. I strive to challenge them not only to DO better but also to BE better. Each engagement presents an opportunity to captivate attention, spark interest, and cultivate a hunger for growth. By the grace of God, the demand for my insights has only grown stronger, allowing me to inspire individuals worldwide to elevate their skills, broaden their horizons, and embrace the transformative potential of topics covering the realms of data, innovation, integrity in leadership, presentation skills, educational methodology, professional development, and more.

As I reflect on my journey, I’m truly amazed by the impact I’ve been blessed to have on countless individuals and organizations. Through my services, I provide not only technical expertise but also a unique blend of education and storytelling. I want potential clients, followers, and fans to recognize that my work transcends beyond data—it’s about fostering growth, driving change, and igniting passion. It’s about taking them on a journey that propels them beyond their limits, empowered by the knowledge that embracing these topics equips them with the power to shape a brighter future.

Any advice for managing a team?

When it comes to managing a team and fostering high morale, my approach centers on building a foundation of trust and accountability. While skills and experience are crucial, I place greater emphasis on a team member’s willingness to contribute, their loyalty, and their sense of ownership. I firmly believe that a person’s commitment to taking responsibility and being accountable for their tasks cannot be taught; it’s an inherent quality that drives exceptional performance.

This sense of ownership is pivotal for achieving outstanding results. When individuals recognize their ultimate responsibility for their work and commit to delivering excellence, the outcome is undoubtedly top-notch. It’s akin to the pride one takes in something they truly own, leading to a genuine dedication to craftsmanship. As a leader, I find immense excitement in working with such a team—one that I trust to consistently deliver results.

At the heart of this approach lie the foundational principles of trust and integrity. In our intricate world, unwavering integrity remains paramount – a principle underscored by the words of Mahatma Gandhi, who affirmed that “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” This principle demands consistency in actions and words, regardless of external influences. Just as a compass guides true north, a leader’s integrity remains steadfast, aligning values with actions. Just as a river forges its course through diverse terrains, a leader’s integrity adapts and perseveres, an unwavering compass steering their character. This unity of values translates into trust and integrity, key components of effective leadership.

Transparency naturally emerges from this foundation of trust and integrity. A leader’s commitment to transparency sets the tone for the entire organization, promoting a culture of openness and accountability. Such a culture of trust ripples through the team, promoting loyalty and setting the stage for high morale. Trust is a fragile yet powerful element—it takes time to build, can be lost in an instant, and is challenging to restore. Therefore, leaders should safeguard their integrity, demonstrating authenticity and emphasizing the importance of transparency.

Embracing the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” This sentiment profoundly captures the heart of leadership, where values and actions align with unwavering integrity. By cultivating an atmosphere founded on trust, accountability, and transparency, leaders nurture an environment where high morale naturally flourishes. This ethos elevates both the team and the organization, creating a space for growth and success

Have you ever had to pivot?

In the face of the global upheaval brought on by the Coronavirus Pandemic in 2020, a profound need for adaptation emerged, compelling individuals and businesses to pivot in unforeseen ways. As a keynote speaker, I found myself confronted with a pivotal moment that would redefine my approach. Initially, it seemed the speaking engagements that had long been a cornerstone of my side-career would come to a halt due to the pandemic’s disruption of in-person events. Yet, rather than succumb to this setback, I embraced the challenge, guided by the belief that, as the late David Rockefeller (grandson of John D. Rockefeller) eloquently stated, necessity is the mother of invention and discontent is the father of progress.

Amidst a landscape of event cancellations and shifting dynamics, I started on a journey of reinvention, re-thinking my connection with audiences within the virtual realm. Fueled by a commitment to delivering the same intensity, excitement, and passion that characterize my in-person presentations, I ventured into uncharted territory. This pivot prompted me to explore innovative ways to engage audiences, introducing interactive elements such as competitive quizzes that resonated with participants and deepened their connection to the content.

Central to this journey was an unyielding dedication to the audience’s experience, a commitment rooted in the belief that both virtual and in-person encounters deserve nothing less than my utmost dedication. Just as an unwavering stream shapes the landscape through which it flows, so too did my determination carve a path of engagement and impact. With the support of my family and my faith in God, I navigated the challenges posed by the pandemic, ensuring that regardless of the circumstances, my commitment to inspiring and enlightening others remained unwavering.

During the pandemic’s challenging thirty months, this pivot led to unexpected positive outcomes. Virtual engagements multiplied, my LinkedIn following expanded exponentially to almost 16,000, and I earned recognition as a thought leader in esteemed communities, including DataManagementU, Engatica, the Global Data Hub, Coruzant Technologies, and the Gartner Group. As a result, I started to become well-known as an influencing voice in the realm of data management, data storytelling, innovation, and professional development. In fact, in July 2023 I was featured on a billboard in Times Square! This journey affirmed the power of resilience, underscoring the idea that in times of upheaval, embracing change can lead to remarkable growth.

As the pandemic prompted me to pivot professionally, it also provided an unforeseen opportunity to pivot personally. The newfound time spent with my family, made possible by reduced travel obligations, became a treasured gift in the middle of so much uncertainty. This powerful reminder of life’s priorities reaffirmed the importance of flexibility and gratitude, and in every step, I remained humbled by God’s faithfulness to supply my every need, which sustained and guided me through uncharted waters.

In recounting this journey, I encourage others to view change not as a threat, not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity. Embrace the challenge, pivot with purpose, and remain attuned to the unexpected blessings that arise within transitions. As doors close, new opportunities await, driven by the relentless force of adaptation and the unwavering grace of God.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sessionize.com/joe-perez
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/jwperezman
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/jwperez
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwperezman
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/DrJoePerezData
• Other: https://DrJoePerez.com