The Real Challenge in Data Storytelling: Getting Buy-In for Simplicity

The real challenge in data storytelling is not creating clear visuals, but getting stakeholder buy-in for simplicity. Stakeholders often request more metrics and charts due to a fear of being unprepared and a lack of trust in the analyst's judgment. This creates a tension between data visualization best practices and the practical realities of shipping a dashboard. To navigate this, one should start conversations about goals before building, show the value of simplicity by comparing focused vs. cluttered versions, and know when to compromise on minor requests to build credibility for more significant pushback.