Inspired by a recent conversation sparked by Alison Pollecot’s post about Excel reading from images, and a comment from Danielle, I reflected on the vast divide between how most Excel users work and how they could be working. This content, like so much of the popular material we see on social media—keyboard shortcuts, quick tips, and one-off hacks—is designed for a specific audience. And that audience is largely confined to a bubble, unaware of the bigger picture.
The typical employee, especially in non-management roles, operates within a narrow scope. They focus on completing specific tasks, perhaps using keyboard shortcuts or tools like Pivot Tables or Power Query, without ever considering the broader business objectives they could be supporting. Their job revolves around manual processes, ad hoc tasks, and localized problem-solving within their immediate sphere.
For this group, the content that populates social media feeds, such as tips from Matt Brattan or Deb Ashby, resonates because it is immediately applicable. It serves a purpose, but it doesn’t push boundaries. It’s Excel within a box—simple, task-focused, and disconnected from the overarching goals of the organization.
However, that’s not where the real game-changing opportunities lie.
Elevating Beyond the Day-to-Day
Take someone like Michael Jr., for example. At some point, he realized there was more beyond his day-to-day work and began looking at the bigger picture. Nelson Mwangi did the same after watching one of my videos, possibly the one on annual budgeting. Both of them saw the potential to connect their current tasks to larger business processes, and that’s where real transformation happens.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “I’m doing my job well, I know Power Query, I’ve mastered some Excel tricks, and that’s all I need.” But the truth is, that mindset keeps you confined. It prevents you from seeing how your work fits into a larger system, how you could be contributing to your boss’s success—or even getting your boss promoted.
This is where my slogan, “Get Your Boss Promoted,” comes into play. It’s a challenge to think beyond yourself and your immediate tasks. What does your boss need to deliver? What can you do to help them succeed? When you elevate your thinking to this level, you start transcending the layers of tasks, tools, and techniques, and start aligning with business strategy.
Breaking Free from the “Excel Bubble”
Most Excel users are unaware of what’s outside their bubble. They might be great at what they do—using Pivot Tables, mastering keyboard shortcuts, or handling manual processes—but they don’t see that they’re only scratching the surface. The real opportunity lies in understanding the broader business processes, connecting the dots between Excel and business objectives, and ultimately contributing to the company’s bigger picture.
The content geared towards single-user scenarios, such as tutorials by influencers like Kat Norton, serves its purpose for those focused solely on their tasks. But what happens when you step outside that box? When you stop focusing only on how to perform individual tasks and start considering how your role impacts the whole organization?
The Difference Between Stagnation and Growth
When you’re stuck inside the box, you’re like that Mr Rolfe—a “jobsworth,” content to do what’s expected and nothing more. But the real challenge, and where growth lies, is in thinking at a higher level. You need to ask yourself: “What are my processes really there to do? How can I align them with business objectives?”
Getting beyond that box means not just learning more about Excel, but transforming how you think about your role. It’s not about ticking off a task, automating a manual process, or learning a new Excel trick—it’s about understanding how those tasks contribute to the greater business goals and how you can leverage tools like Excel to make that impact.
The Path Forward
So how do we get people to think beyond the basics? It’s not as simple as sending them on a motivational course like Tony Robbins. Real change comes from adopting a new mindset. It comes from realizing that Excel is not just about solving today’s problem but about aligning your work with the bigger picture of the business’s goals.
This shift requires more than just knowledge of Excel tools; it requires strategic thinking and a willingness to engage with the broader objectives of the business. And that kind of thinking doesn’t come easily—it needs to be cultivated.
Ultimately, transcending the box of individual tasks and seeing the bigger picture is the key to moving from stagnation to growth, from being a jobsworth to becoming an indispensable part of the business’s success. The first step? Start thinking about how you can get your boss promoted. Everything else will follow.
This is a podcast by Hiran de Silva. Narrated by Charlie.
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