Episode
Navigating Influence in a Data-Driven World with NORC's Dan Gaylin
- Podcast
- Chief Influencer®
- Published
- Mar 11, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3669
- Processing state
not_requested- Canonical source
- https://share.transistor.fm/s/5f6e9df0
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Summary
In today’s information ecosystem, influence is no longer about having the loudest voice — it’s about having the most trustworthy one. In this powerful conversation, Anthony Shop sits down with Dan Gaylin, President and CEO of NORC at the University of Chicago and author of Fact Forward: The Perils of Bad Information and the Promise of a Data-Savvy Society. Dan has built his career helping leaders navigate high-stakes decisions with rigorous, trustworthy research. Under his leadership, NORC has tripled in size, expanded globally, and strengthened its reputation as a trusted, nonpartisan research institution. But this episode goes far beyond organizational growth. It explores a defining leadership challenge of our era: how to build influence and trust when information is abundant, truth feels fragmented, and every individual now acts as producer, distributor, and consumer of data. Takeaways: Ask better questions first. Influence begins with defining the right problem — not jumping to conclusions. Practice “fit for purpose” thinking. Make sure the data you use actually answers the question you’re trying to solve. Build data literacy as a leadership skill. In a democratized data world, leaders must know how to separate signal from noise. Lead with transparency. Trust grows when you clearly explain how conclusions were reached — and where limits exist. Don’t push data beyond its limits. Conviction is not a substitute for evidence; credibility depends on restraint. Use AI wisely: distrust and verify. Treat AI as a powerful tool — but interrogate its answers before acting on them. Grow through quality, not ego. Sustainable influence comes from impact, integrity, and consistency — not arbitrary growth targets. Quote of the Show: “Sustainable influence requires credibility. And…