# Real Analysts By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2024-09-14 When one meets another person who claims to be an analyst, it's worth outwardly indicating that one is part of the same tribe as them but inwardly remaining suspicious until further evidence emerges as to the validity of their claim. This duality isn't necessarily easy, and our biology betrays us. Outwardly showing acceptance tends also to change our minds. Hence the saying, fake it until you make it. It is easy to say one is an analyst, and many flavors exist. However, most people are not analysts, even if they have 30 years of experience on their resume. Analysis is not about crunching the numbers. It's not about doing statistics or writing code. It's not about being a scientist. It's not an endless critique and a "show me the data" attitude. It's not about following a process. It's not black and white. It's not telling stories with data and building fancy reports. These things are listed on job descriptions as poor analysis approximations created by people who do not know what analysis is or by those cleverly playing the game from within the hierarchy. Analysis is a way of being and understanding the world. It's an ancient wisdom and philosophy that transcends any single tool, methodology, cultural norm, or technology. It is exceedingly rare to find real analysts. Nearly all are pretenders, but one must eat and know how to play the game. Outwardly show the norms to belong to the tribe, inwardly doubt them all, and search for true comrades to join the radicals who seek progress through solidarity beyond the norms and status quo of the day. #### Related Items [[Analytics]] [[Norms]] [[Culture]] [[Decision-making]] [[Knowledge]] [[Solidarity]] [[History]] [[Status Quo]] [[Data]]