SDS 448: How to be a Data Science Leader — with Jon Krohn

Leadership Shift

Jon Krohn shares insights on the challenges of transitioning from a data science practitioner to a leader. He emphasizes the inevitable shift from technical work to management responsibilities, which often means spending more time in meetings and less time coding. Jon advises aspiring leaders to accept this change and focus on empowering their teams to work independently.

The more people you hire, the higher their caliber and the more independence you give them to try things out on their own, which you definitely should, the less you're going to be able to get in the weeds with them on every single thing they're doing.

--- Jon Krohn

He stresses that this shift is essential for both personal growth and the success of the team and company 1.

   

Time Management

In his role as a chief data scientist, Jon Krohn discusses the importance of time allocation in leadership. He acknowledges the guilt that comes with spending less time on technical tasks, but reassures that focusing on management is crucial. Jon highlights the need to continuously learn and apply new skills, regardless of one's academic background.

Despite your best efforts to make time around management responsibilities, you will only get to spend maybe a 10th as much time as you'd like to training models yourself. And that is okay.

--- Jon Krohn

He encourages leaders to embrace this balance, as it ultimately benefits the team and aligns with the company's needs 1.