#146 Mar 11, 26

Navigating Influence in a Data-Driven World with NORC's Dan Gaylin

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 credibility comes from demonstrating consistency and integrity and being good at what you do and being well aligned with your core values.”

Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-gaylin-387a5610/
Website: https://www.norc.org/
Book: https://a.co/d/08BwhXMY

Episode Video

Creators and Guests

Host

Anthony Shop

Anthony Shop believes in the power of people-centered branding and marketing to create a bright future. He chairs the National Digital Roundtable, the premier convener of digital innovators, leaders and policy shapers. Anthony also is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Driver, a digital services firm that helps companies and non-profits establish winning strategies with social media, websites, creative, and advertising. An enthusiastic presenter and teacher, he has led executive-level training for Amazon, PepsiCo, NASA, The British Embassy and the Bipartisan Policy Center. He has been recognized as an “OUTstanding LGBT Role Model” by The Financial Times, “40 Under 40” by The Washington Business Journal, and Business Leader of the Year by the DC Chamber of Commerce. A former newspaper reporter, Anthony was the first new media professional elected to the National Press Club’s Board of Governors. He currently serves on the boards of Leadership Greater Washington and LearnServe International. He earned his MBA from The George Washington University School of Business, where he teaches as an adjunct lecturer.

Producer

Amanda Goyette

Producer

Robert Krueger

Robert is an Executive Director for The Communications Board, an organization with the mission of providing high-quality professional development for every communicator in every location. He is also the Global Lead for Partnership Communications at Gensler, the world’s largest architecture and design firm. Prior to his current role, he performed executive and CEO communications for Gensler, and was the senior director of public relations and social media at the Urban Land Institute. He obtained an MA in Communications and an MA in History from George Mason University. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri-Columbia. In addition, Robert has taught communications at universities including George Mason University, West Virginia University, and the University of Florida. Robert currently serves as Immediate-Past President for the Public Relations Society of America’s National Capital Chapter (PRSA-NCC) -- the nonprofit’s largest chapter.