Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic’s Storytelling With Data (Book Overview)

A sketch of a man in a business suit sitting in a chair and reading a book by a window and fig tree

What’s the difference between simply displaying data and creating a compelling data narrative? How can you transform raw numbers into a story that resonates with your audience and drives meaningful action? Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic’s Storytelling With Data: A Data Visualization Guide for Business Professionals reveals that effective data communication isn’t about creating complex visuals. It’s about presenting information as a narrative that connects with your audience and makes your insights accessible and actionable. Keep reading to discover Knaflic’s practical framework for interpreting data effectively, crafting engaging narratives, and using thoughtful design to enhance understanding.

Using Multiple Data Sets? 3 Tips for Clear Presentations

A woman, seen from behind, putting papers with multiple data sets on a bulletin board

What if you could present complex data without overwhelming your audience? How can you effectively use multiple data sets to tell a compelling story? In her book Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic explains that our brains have limited visual processing capacity, making it crucial to present multiple data sets thoughtfully. She offers three core principles that help reduce cognitive load and make complex information accessible. Keep reading to discover how these visualization techniques can transform your confusing numbers into clear, impactful insights.

Distilling Data Down to Its Most Basic Form: What Truly Matters

Two professional men talking in an elevator illustrate distilling data in a way that communicates the main points succinctly

Are your data presentations too complex for your audience to absorb? Can you communicate your key insights in three minutes or less? Distilling data is essential for effective communication. In Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic writes that focusing on the most important information helps listeners retain your key points. She introduces two frameworks designed to help you identify and emphasize what truly matters in your data. Keep reading to discover how these techniques can transform your complex data into compelling, memorable stories.

How to Use 3 Preattentive Attributes in Data Visualization (Knaflic)

A page from a 1620-1621 King James Bible (Genesis 1) illustrates preattentive attributes in data visualization

How can you make your data visualizations instantly understandable? What design techniques naturally guide viewers’ attention to the most important parts of your visual story? In her book Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic explores how preattentive attributes in data visualization work with our brain’s natural visual processing. She explains that the strategic use of size, color, and position creates clear visual hierarchies that help audiences grasp complex information. Keep reading to discover how these powerful visual techniques—used since medieval times—can transform your data presentations from confusing to compelling.

How to Interpret Data: 2 Ways to Understand & Explain It

A woman in silhouette, seen from behind, looking at data on screens illustrates how to interpret data effectively

What’s the best way to make sense of those spreadsheets filled with thousands of numbers? How can you understand data in a way that helps you explain it to others? In her book Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic teaches readers how to interpret data by focusing on two essential skills. She offers practical techniques to transform complex information into clear, compelling visuals that anyone can understand. Keep reading to discover how these strategies can help you become more confident in analyzing and presenting data of any kind.

Data Storytelling Basics: Where to Start (Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic)

A man looking at graphs on a desktop computer screen illustrates data storytelling basics

Are you looking for ways to make your data more engaging and impactful? Have you wondered which visualization techniques work best for communicating your insights effectively? In her book Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic emphasizes the importance of mastering data storytelling basics before attempting advanced techniques. She recommends starting with fundamental visualizations while focusing on creating a shared understanding with your audience. Read on to discover how you can develop these essential skills and help your entire team become more proficient in communicating with data.

How Consciousness and Language Are Intertwined (Julian Jaynes)

A person with a thought bubble with the word "ideas" over their head depicts the link between consciousness and language

What role did language play in the emergence of human consciousness? How did metaphorical thinking transform our ancestors’ cognitive abilities? Julian Jaynes proposes that consciousness developed not through biological evolution but through cultural changes driven by language. He argues that consciousness and language are deeply intertwined, with metaphors allowing humans to express abstract concepts and develop self-awareness. Read on to explore Jaynes’s theory about how our minds evolved from hearing divine voices to developing rich inner lives.

How to Tell a Story With Data: Turn Numbers Into Narrative

How to Tell a Story With Data: Turn Numbers Into Narrative

Is your data failing to persuade your audience despite its accuracy? Why do some presentations move people to action while others leave them unmoved, even when the numbers are solid? Transforming raw data into compelling narratives requires specific techniques and thoughtful planning. In her book Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic breaks down how to tell a story with data into three essential steps. Continue reading to discover how you can translate your numbers into stories that stick with your audience and inspire meaningful action.

How to Present Data Visually: 3 Ways to Make Info Easy to Process

A bald man with eyeglasses giving a presentation with a simple graph on a screen illustrates how to present data visually

Have you ever looked at a data presentation and felt completely lost? How can you transform complex numbers into visuals that tell a clear, compelling story? Learning how to present data visually is a skill that combines design principles with an understanding of human perception. In Storytelling With Data, Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic offers practical strategies for making information both accessible and impactful through thoughtful visualization techniques. Keep reading to discover simple yet powerful methods that will transform your data from confusing to crystal clear.

Social Processing With the Unconscious Mind (Leonard Mlodinow)

A woman listening to a man at a party illustrates social processing

Have you ever wondered how you instantly know whether someone is genuinely happy to see you? What’s happening in your brain when you pick up on unspoken tension in a room? In Subliminal, Leonard Mlodinow explores how our unconscious mind handles social processing without our awareness. Your brain constantly analyzes facial expressions, body language, and vocal tones, helping you navigate complex social situations effortlessly. Keep reading to discover how your unconscious mind shapes your social world in ways you’ve never imagined.