The future leader – the analyst?

“Can an analyst be more important than a leader?” – This question may sound like a paradox, but the changes brought about by the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) force us to rethink the roles of leaders and analysts. Leadership has traditionally been associated with strategic thinking, vision, and decision-making. However, can a leader who does not understand analytics and insights generated by AI still be considered an effective leader?

Today, decision-making in organizations is becoming increasingly driven by analytics and algorithms. Leaders are more often relying on insights provided by data, but many are wondering: Is their intuition and experience still sufficient when decisions need to be made in complex and rapidly changing situations? Will the future leader need to be not only a strategist but also an analyst in order to effectively lead their organization?

Traditional roles – when leaders led, and analysts just counted – belong to the past

For a long time, leaders and analysts held strictly separate positions in the decision-making hierarchy of organizations. The leader was responsible for strategy and final decisions, often relying on their experience and intuition. Meanwhile, the analyst acted as a technical specialist – providing reports, forecasts, and numbers that helped the leader better understand the situation, but the analyst’s influence on decision-making was usually limited to the accuracy of the data presented.

The analyst’s work was often behind the scenes: they collected data, processed it, and presented results, but the final responsibility remained with the leader. “A good leader always knows what to do” – this mindset dominated for decades, despite the fact that decisions were often made without detailed analytical insights.

For example, a production manager would make decisions regarding production volume based on general market forecasts, rather than deep analytical models. The analyst’s role was to help the leader better understand the data, but they did not have a direct voice in the strategic process.

The present – the analyst dictates strategic decisions

In today’s organizations, the role of the analyst has become significantly more important than ever before. With the increasing amount and complexity of data, decision-making is no longer solely based on a leader’s intuition or experience. Analysts are now those who not only collect and present data but also interpret it in such a way that their insights become the foundation of the organization’s strategy.

Modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, have allowed analysts to take a step forward. They not only process complex models but can also provide data-driven forecasts that guide the company’s direction. Analysts are becoming active participants in the decision-making process, and their insights often have a greater impact than traditional leadership intuition.

For example, in marketing departments, analysts can identify which products attract customers the most by using AI models and customer behavior data. These insights can determine which segments will be targeted by advertising campaigns, with leaders simply implementing the decisions made by the analysts. This shows how the analyst has become inseparable from the decision-making process.

In such situations, the traditional boundaries between the leader and the analyst start to blur, as the analyst’s influence on decision-making is rapidly growing. Leaders are becoming increasingly dependent on the analyst’s ability not only to present numbers but also to explain their significance in a broader context.

The new generation leader – thinks analytically and calculates strategically

In the rapidly developing era of artificial intelligence, the traditional role of the leader is inevitably changing. Leaders who rely solely on intuition or just the insights provided by analysts risk becoming less effective. Future leaders will need to be not only strategists but also knowledgeable in analytics, so they can critically evaluate the data presented, understand AI models, and work independently with analytical insights.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning create complex solutions, but their logic is often a “black box” – leaders cannot fully understand these decisions without the help of analysts. The future leader will need to understand how AI models work, what data they analyze, and what their limitations are. In other words, leaders will not only be decision-makers but also partners to analysts, and in some cases – analysts themselves.

For example, companies like Netflix already require their leaders to understand the core customer behavior models provided by their AI systems. Without this understanding, leaders would not be able to effectively evaluate recommendations for new product development or content expansion (Mind the Product, 2023).

Meanwhile, Amazon expects their leaders to understand the AI results related to inventory management and staff selection (AWS AI Learning, 2023).

Google is also implementing AI education initiatives so that leaders and employees can better understand the principles of AI. The company invests in training that helps leaders not only use analytics insights but also understand how these tools work (Reuters, 2023).

McKinsey & Company offers AI training through their division QuantumBlack, helping organizations understand and implement analytical solutions. This consultancy firm combines strategic thinking with advanced AI analytics to optimize business processes and decisions (McKinsey, 2023).

The future leader will need to be able not only to manage a team or make decisions but also to be a data scientist within their organization – interpreting data, asking the right questions to analysts, and connecting the insights provided by AI to the broader strategic goals of the organization.

Leader and analyst – a partnership that determines the success of the organization

The progress of artificial intelligence and analytics not only changes the decision-making processes within organizations but also transforms the relationship between leaders and analysts. In the past, leaders were clear decision-makers, while analysts acted as technical assistants. However, today these boundaries are fading. The leader and analyst are becoming equal partners, whose collaboration is essential for achieving the best results.

The partnership between the leader and the analyst is unique in that they complement each other with their skills. The leader can have a broader strategic context of the organization, while the analyst offers deeper insights into data models and their logic. This interaction allows for making informed decisions and ensuring that the AI-generated recommendations are tailored to the organization’s needs and goals.

For example, in companies like Google and Amazon, the collaboration between analysts and leaders ensures that AI solutions are critically evaluated, and their implementation is strategically grounded. Without the analyst, leaders would risk blindly relying on AI model recommendations, not understanding their limitations or potential biases.

A leader who understands analytical results, and an analyst who can communicate them clearly and in context, is a new type of partnership needed in the AI era. Without this collaboration, the company risks making decisions that do not align with reality or the organization’s goals.

Analytics and AI – the new leadership standard

In the era of artificial intelligence and analytics, the traditional distribution of roles between leaders and analysts is rapidly changing. Leaders can no longer rely solely on intuition or experience, and analysts are no longer just technical assistants. In future organizations, these two roles are increasingly merging, creating a new model of partnership.

Leaders who want to remain competitive and effective will need to acquire analytical knowledge. Understanding how AI models work, what their capabilities and limitations are, will become an essential leadership skill. These leaders will not only collaborate more effectively with analysts but will also be able to independently assess the validity of data and the consequences of decisions.

Analysts will also take on a more important role – not just providing insights, but becoming strategic advisors to the organization. Their work will no longer be limited to technical tasks – they will need to explain complex analyses to leaders and help make well-founded decisions that align with both the organization’s goals and its culture.

“A leader who doesn’t understand analytics and AI risks becoming a passive decision implementer. “

A leader who doesn’t understand analytics and AI risks becoming a passive decision implementer. Meanwhile, the importance of the analyst as a strategic partner will undoubtedly grow, as organizations increasingly rely on data-driven decisions. The future leader will be one who can integrate analytics, AI, and strategic vision into a cohesive action plan.

However, these changes require more than just the implementation of new tools or technologies. They begin with people – leaders and analysts who understand that data is not just numbers. They are the foundation for insights that help people make better decisions. Only when these two roles work together will data become valuable tools that help achieve not only the organization’s goals but also contribute to improving the quality of people’s work.

Are your organization’s leaders ready for this transformation – will they be able to master analytics and AI tools to not only survive but thrive in the new era of decision-making?


As the role of leaders and analysts continues to evolve with the advancements in artificial intelligence and analytics, it is crucial for organizations to stay ahead of the curve. At In-BigData, we specialize in helping organizations harness the power of data, providing tailored analytics solutions that support strategic decision-making and drive business success.

Are you ready to transform your leadership and decision-making processes with data-driven insights? Learn more about how we can assist you by visiting our Services or Contact Us for a personalized consultation.