A New Year, A New Career Trajectory: Insights Leaders Share Their Best Advice

With a new year upon us, it’s the perfect time to set intentions for how to grow and advance your career. For insights professionals, the path forward is shaped not just by technical expertise but by the habits, mindsets, and skills that set great practitioners apart. To help guide that journey, MRII’s Insights & Innovators podcast has asked some of the industry’s most successful leaders to share their best advice for building influence and impact. Their perspectives offer a practical roadmap for anyone looking to elevate their career in the year ahead.

1. Understand the Business, Not Just the Data

Karyn Schoenbart, co-Founder and Managing Director Duo Partners and former CEO of The NPD Group, offered timeless advice:

“Don’t just understand research, understand business. Learn how your company makes money, what drives your clients, and how your insights can move the organization forward.”

Analytical skills matter, but knowing how insights connect to strategy turns data professionals into trusted advisors.

2. Build Credibility Through Reliable Work

Stan Sthanunathan, founder and Executive Chairman of i-Genie and former EVP of Insights at Unilever, highlighted the long-term importance of trust:

“Your credibility is earned, not given. Every analysis, every presentation is an opportunity to show that people can trust your judgment.”

Consistency, accuracy, and clear communication are foundational steps in establishing a professional reputation that lasts.

3. Embrace Curiosity and Continuous Learning

Marie Van Blaricum, Director of Marketing Insights & Analytics at Google, emphasizes adaptability:

“The field is evolving quickly—new tools, new data, new technology. The people who thrive are the ones who are curious and constantly learning.”

Exposure to different methodologies, technologies, and business functions, paired with a willingness to experiment, accelerates skill development.

4. Develop Influence, Not Just Outputs

Tod Johnson, co-founder and Managing Director of Duo Partners and former CEO of NPD Group, underscores that influence matters as much as analysis:

“It’s not enough to deliver results. You need to make sure people act on them. Influence comes from relationships, trust, and clear communication.”

Emerging professionals should focus on helping stakeholders see the relevance of their work and acting as advisors, not just data providers.

5. Seek Mentors and Build Networks

Christian Niederauer, Global Head of Insights & Analytics at Colgate-Palmolive, shared:

“Early in your career, seek guidance from those who have been there before. Mentors help you see the bigger picture, avoid mistakes, and grow faster.”

Relationships within your organization, professional associations, and industry networks provide both mentorship and perspective, helping you navigate the field more effectively.

6. Take Ownership and Be Proactive

Every podcast guest emphasized initiative. Emerging professionals can accelerate growth by:

• Volunteering for challenging projects
• Presenting findings to stakeholders proactively
• Identifying opportunities where insights can add value

Nick Graham summed it up:

“Ownership and initiative set early-career professionals apart. Those who step up and take responsibility are the ones who accelerate their growth.”

7. Communication is Key

Effective communication goes beyond storytelling. Stan Sthanunathan advised:

“Do presentations that are fact-based, but not fact-filled. Focus on the decisions, not just the data.”

Marie Van Blaricum added:

“Confidence and clarity allow you to cut through the noise and make people care about what you’re presenting.”

Clear, concise communication ensures your work drives action and enhances your influence.

8. Adopt a Long-Term Perspective

Tod Johnson reminded listeners:

“Success in insights is a marathon, not a sprint. Build skills, build relationships, and build trust consistently. It compounds over time.”

Early-career professionals should balance short-term deliverables with long-term capability development, focusing on continuous learning and strategic growth.

The Bottom Line

From Insights & Innovators podcast guests, it’s clear that technical expertise alone doesn’t define success. Emerging insights professionals thrive when they combine:

• Business understanding
• Credibility and reliability
• Curiosity and adaptability
• Influence through relationships and communication
• Mentorship and networking
• Initiative and ownership
• A long-term perspective

By embracing these principles, you can accelerate career growth, contribute strategically, and position yourself as an emerging leader in your insights organization.

For those starting out: be curious, take initiative, cultivate relationships, and focus on influence as much as analysis. Your career ascent will follow.