One worth sharing
Person worth knowing: Alli Torban
I first heard Alli Torban’s name when I came across this relatable and clever chart showing how she’s spent her time over the years (including the activities that bled outside of daylight hours - IYKYK).
I instantly saved it as one of my all-time favorites. It’s such a great example of how data visualization can feel personal, insightful, and human, not just informative.
Naturally, I had to learn more.
QUICK TIP
Ever had a project (or your day) go off the rails because stakeholders changed their minds, timelines slipped, or data got messy? Next time, use Commander’s Intent to stay focused.
The idea of Commander’s Intent comes from the Army. In fast-moving, unpredictable situations, battle plans almost never unfold exactly as expected. Communications can break down, circumstances shift, and soldiers on the ground may need to make split-second decisions without direct orders.
They even have a phrase for this: No plan survives contact with the enemy.
To solve this, Army leaders started clearly articulating a single, unchanging objective: the Commander’s Intent.
It’s a short statement that explains what success looks like, even if the original plan goes out the window.
For example, a plan might detail how to take a bridge at dawn, but the Commander’s Intent might be simply: “Ensure Third Battalion can cross the river by 0800.”
(I hope that’s the correct language… I asked ChatGPT to help me with that one.)
If communications fail or the bridge assault doesn’t go as planned, everyone still knows the why behind the mission. Units on the ground can improvise (find a different crossing point, build a temporary bridge, etc.) because they understand the ultimate objective.
This combination of clarity + flexibility is what makes Commander’s Intent so effective. It prevents teams from freezing when plans change, and empowers them to adapt while still moving toward the same end goal.
Why it works for analysts
Clarifies priorities so you don’t drown in competing requests
Sharpens communication because you lead with what matters most
Keeps teams aligned, even as analyses evolve or stakeholders shift
How to apply it
You can use Commander’s Intent at different levels:
Individual/daily: State the most important thing to accomplish for that day
“If I do nothing else today, I need to finalize the retention analysis so the deck can ship.”
Project: State the critical outcome needed as a result of the project
“If we do nothing else, we must give leaders a clear answer on whether we’ll hit Q2 hiring targets.”
Team: State the ultimate and unique purpose for why your team exists
“We are the go-to team for trusted, timely headcount data that leaders act on.”
Try this at work: At the beginning of your day tomorrow, write down your Commander’s Intent for the day in one clear sentence. Then treat it like your north star: make sure every task you tackle moves you closer to that goal until you can confidently check it off.
Let me know if you give this a try. I’d love to hear about it!
Cheers,
Morgan
P.S. Thank you to everyone who offered to hop on a call the other week! I chatted with a few of you, and learned a ton about your current challenges and roadblocks. Your stories are helping inform a new project I have in the works - I’ll share more info in early December, stay tuned!
Whenever you’re ready, here are 3 other ways I can help you:
Analyst’s Influence Playbook: A 40-page guide that shows you how to actually turn insights into action using behavioral science principles that consistently grab attention and drive decisions.
Story-Driven Charts: My flagship course on how to design charts that clearly communicate your insights, catch leaders’ attention, and make you stand out from the crowd.
Persuasive Presentations (30-min keynote): An engaging, high-energy talk that teaches how to move beyond “here’s the data” and deliver recommendations that stick. Perfect for team events, offsites, or conferences. Email me to learn more.