All organizations need a data evangelist. This person does not necessarily have to be a data scientist or a data analyst, but it should be someone who champions data as a fundamental piece of the growth equation. Ethan Garr trains, coaches, and hold workshops to help companies accelerate their growth and has seen firsthand the power of data in driving decision-making, experimenting, and scaling. In this episode, Ethan distinguishes between being data-driven and data-led decision-making. While he always embraced data, there was an inflection point when he started building his data team that championed data throughout his organization. Ethan walks us through some of what he did right and wrong when he built this team and highlights the value in continually working on being a data-driven organization. We also get into what it means to have a North Star metric, why it is crucial to use data from the outset, and the fact that data is not simply about numbers but about the insights you draw. As data becomes an increasingly hot commodity, companies must budget properly, and Ethan suggests how to plan financially for this investment in your business. While, as a leader, you do not have to know everything, there is value in having a broad understanding of concepts, and as the show wraps up, Ethan shares details about GoPractice, a simulator course that offers hands-on data experience for those wanting to know more. Data cannot be done in a vacuum, and your data evangelist is a crucial piece in helping your company shape a culture that leverages data to its maximum potential.