Data Alone Can’t Make the Case for Abundance

As public policy researchers, it’s absolutely necessary that our recommendations rely on strong, sound data. In our advocacy, though, that’s not sufficient. As I explain in an essay at Discourse in a series on the emerging abundance agenda, data don’t make the case for abundance – or anything else. In fact, relying primarily on data tends to make us less – not more – persuasive. Reason being: “As appealing and noble as a data-driven approach sounds, there’s one small problem: By itself, it rarely works because it doesn’t align with how the human mind functions.” To persuade, we need to bring emotional intelligence into our advocacy. Check out the essay, the first of two companion pieces on the subject.