In a recent Apolitical event, public servants from around the world tuned in to hear Anil Arora, former Chief Statistician of Canada, unpack the art and science of data storytelling. Anil walked attendees through turning cold numbers into warm narratives that stick.

Missed it? Here are the top takeaways to help you share data that informs, inspires and drives action.

1. Think “audience first”, always

Different users, different stories. Whether you’re briefing a minister, chatting to media or feeding an analyst’s dashboard, your story needs to match their needs. That means asking:

  • What do they want to do with this data?
  • When do they need it? (Spoiler: usually yesterday)
  • How will they consume it — speech, slide or scroll?

Resist the urge to perfect every detail. Sometimes “good enough” gets the job done better.

2. Don’t just share data. Be a steward

Public servants don’t just use data — they safeguard it, explain it and shape how it’s understood. That means:

  • Understanding where the data came from and how it was collected
  • Being upfront about its limits
  • Calling out misuse and misinterpretation when it happens

Remember, every dataset is part of a social contract. Handle with care.

3. Build stories, not spreadsheets

Storytelling with data isn’t about decoration. It’s about the message. Anil encouraged using classic storytelling elements:

  • Context
  • Conflict (or at least a twist)
  • Clear conclusions

Your audience shouldn’t have to play detective. Use titles, annotations and design that shout the story — not whisper it.

4. Design for clarity

Want to drive decisions, not confusion? Design smart:

  • Use consistent layouts and clean lines
  • Highlight what matters. Arrows, colour coding and spacing are your best mates.
  • Avoid overstuffed pie charts, 3D graphs and too much red (unless you’re making a point)

In data design, less is nearly always more.

5. Create once, serve many

Rather than reinventing the wheel with every request, Anil recommends building hubs, templates and portals that can do the heavy lifting. Think:

  • Dashboards that update in real-time
  • Infographics tailored to common questions
  • Short videos and placemats for visual learners

By anticipating your audience’s needs, you make it easier for them — and yourself — to work with data more effectively.

Watch, learn and dive deeper

🎥 Watch the highlights video below for a quick dose of storytelling smarts.

🔗 Visit the event page to access the full recording, resources, and speaker bios.

🗣️ Join the Data Skills Network to continue building your data skills through connection and conversation with your peers across government.

This article was written with the help of AI using an anonymised transcript and edited by a human before publishing.