From Tableau Tips to Visionary Impact: Flerlage Twins | Dub Dub

Feb 16, 2026

Quote graphic reading “Real impact in data comes from teaching and helping others” Dub Dub Data

by Fiona Crocker & Sarah Burnett| Co-Founders, Dub Dub Data

Ten years in data analytics is a long time. Ten years of staying useful, staying curious, and staying genuinely generous is even rarer, especially in analytics, where tools, platforms, and hype cycles move fast.

In this blog, we explore the Tableau story of Ken and Kevin Flerlage and why their influence has lasted. The Flerlage Twins story is not just about mastering Tableau or earning recognition as Tableau Visionaries. It is about teaching in public, helping others learn Tableau, and proving that real impact in data visualisation comes from generosity and consistency, not ego.

Ken and Kevin’s work has shaped how people use Tableau at work, how dashboards are designed, and how community members approach visualisation problems. From Tableau tips and tiny Tableau tips blog posts through to full Tableau Conference presentations, their journey offers a blueprint for modern community leadership in data.

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We’ve dedicated an entire episode of our unDUBBED podcast to Celebrating 10 Years of the Flerlage Twins. Skip the scroll and view here.

The Flerlage Twins and the Tableau Story Behind a Decade of Impact

When people hear “10 years in the Tableau community,” they often picture the keynote stage at Tableau Conference, their Tableau Visionaries hall of fame moments, or being a two-time Tableau Key Note Stage winners on the conference circuit.

But the deeper milestone is consistency.

Ken and Kevin Flerlage have frequently blogs about Tableau for over a decade, producing content that people actually use. Their blogs about Tableau on flerlagetwins.com, their Tableau Public vizzes (Ken / Kevin), and their Tableau training resources have become a Tableau lifeline for many analysts. The posts are comprised of tips that solve common problems, not just clever tricks.

This is the story of formally establishing "The Flerlage Twins" as trusted educators in the data visualisation community. Ken became a Tableau Zen Master in 2018, followed by Kevin earning the same recognition in 2021. When Tableau renamed the programme to "Tableau Visionary" in 2022, Ken was inducted into the Tableau Visionary Hall of Fame in 2023, with Kevin joining the Hall of Fame in 2025. Ken is also a Tableau Forums Ambassador, whilst Kevin is a Tableau Public Ambassador.

They didn’t get there by chasing novelty. They got there by being an active member of the Tableau community and focusing on what people struggled with when they first started using Tableau.

Why the Flerlage Twins Matter to the Tableau Community

The most durable part of the Flerlage Twins story part is their focus on fundamentals.

They taught Tableau tips that helped people build a dashboard under pressure. They explained how to use a data source properly. They showed how to create a chart in Tableau that answered a real question, whether that was a line chart, a bar chart, a horizontal bar chart, or stacked bar charts for comparison.

Their work resonated because it was grounded in reality. They understood what it felt like to be in your first month of using Tableau, staring at a blank canvas, wondering how to turn data in Tableau into something useful.

Kevin and Ken, as an identical twin duo, brought complementary strengths. Kevin Flerlage leaned into design, storytelling, and public vizzes, while Ken focused on structure, logic, and technique. Together, Kevin and Ken Flerlage showed what happens when analytics, visualisation, and teaching come together.

Cool Stuff in Tableau Comes From Teaching, Not Just Tools

One of the clearest themes from the podcast is that cool stuff in Tableau does not come from chasing features. It comes from understanding the why behind a viz.

Tableau, when you really work with Tableau, becomes a canvas. You are not just dragging pills. You are making decisions about clarity, hierarchy, and intent. This is why the Flerlage Twins’ Tableau story resonates with both beginners and advanced users.

They used Tableau not as a gimmick, but as a way to communicate. Whether building dashboards directly in Tableau or publishing to Tableau Public, they focused on helping others learn Tableau by example.

Their favourite Tableau moments often came from tips shared by others, from Tableau forums, Tableau user group sessions, and community forums where learning was collaborative. Many of their posts are comprised of tips shared and refined through conversation, feedback, and reuse.

Tableau as a Canvas for Data Visualisation and Creativity

Tableau works so well for Ken and Kevin because it sits at the intersection of maths, analytics, and creativity.

Data visualisation is often framed as either technical or artistic. Tableau blurs that line. You can use Tableau to calculate, structure, and analyse, but you can also design, refine, and tell a story.

This blend is why visualisation in Tableau feels different. You are not locked into rigid templates. You can experiment, test, and iterate directly in Tableau, learning as you go.

Kevin Flerlage has spoken about how design skills are learnable, and their work proves it. His early public vizzes look a lot different to his later ones. Over time, spacing improved, dashboards became clearer, and the viz choices became more intentional.

This evolution is part of the Tableau story, and it’s why their content still ranks as a favourite Tableau resource today.

Teaching at Scale Through Tableau Tips and Tiny Tableau Tips

Teaching at scale is hard. Teaching at scale in analytics is even harder.

Ken and Kevin learned that most people do not want abstract theory. They want examples. They want something they can use immediately. This is why their Tableau tips and tiny Tableau tips work so well.

The tiny Tableau tips blog posts break problems down into manageable steps. The longer posts go deeper, explaining why a dashboard works, not just how to build it.

Their tips blog posts are comprised of practical lessons, often based on real client work, where Tableau was used to solve messy, real-world problems.

This approach made their content easy to share. It was shared by others on social, passed around Tableau user groups, and referenced in Tableau training sessions.

Tableau Tips That Last Longer Than Trends

The most popular Tableau content is rarely the most complex.

The posts that last address fundamentals. How to choose the right viz. When to use a line chart versus a stacked bar chart. How to avoid misleading dashboards. How to structure data analytics outputs so decision-makers actually use them.

Ken and Kevin understood that durable content is built around ten tips that solve recurring problems. Not novelty. Not hacks. Just clarity.

This is why their work still shows up in Viz of the Day conversations and why their Tableau Public portfolio remains widely referenced.

From Tableau Conference to Community Leadership

Over the years, Ken and Kevin moved from blogging to speaking, from community members to recognised leaders.

They presented at the 2023 Tableau Conference, stood on the stage at Tableau Conference 2025, and delivered a Tableau Conference 2025 presentation that focused on practical techniques rather than hype. Speaking at Tableau Conference April sessions and eventually on the keynote stage at Tableau Conference was a reflection of trust, not status.

They were fellow Tableau presenters, not performers. Their Tableau Conference presentation style mirrored their blogs: approachable, useful, and grounded.

This is what community leadership looks like when done well.

AI, Analytics, and Why Fundamentals Still Matter

As analytics shifts from big data hype to AI obsession, the Flerlage Twins’ message remains consistent.

AI does not replace fundamentals. It amplifies them.

If your data source is messy, AI will produce confident nonsense faster. If your dashboard is unclear, AI will not fix that. If you don’t ask good questions, AI will not save you.

Ken and Kevin have always emphasised strong analytics foundations. Clean data. Clear questions. Thoughtful visualisation.

That thinking is why their Tableau training content still matters, even as new Tableau features and new Tableau releases arrive.

Community, Collaboration, and Doing Cool Stuff in Tableau

The Tableau community has changed. Platforms come and go. Conversations move. But the core remains.

People still learn best from other people.

Ken and Kevin Flerlage are a member of the Tableau community who never treated it as a marketing channel. They treated it as a shared learning space. They participated in the Tableau Ambassador Program, served as a Tableau Forums Ambassador, and remained an active member of the Tableau ecosystem long after recognition arrived.

They showed that you can do lots of cool things, build lots of cool dashboards, and still stay generous.

What Data Leaders Can Learn From the Flerlage Twins

If you are a data leader, an associate director of data analytics, or even a fractional data hero supporting multiple teams, the lesson is simple.

Teaching scales impact.

Whether you use Tableau, like Tableau, or are just starting to learn Tableau, the principles apply. Build capability. Share knowledge. Focus on fundamentals.

This is the real Tableau story.

Want to Learn More?

If this story resonates, it’s usually because you’re thinking about how to build stronger data capability in your own organisation. Dub Dub Data works with leaders and teams to turn analytics, Tableau, and data visualisation into something people actually use. From strategy and enablement through to hands-on delivery, we help organisations do cool stuff with data that lasts. If you want to explore how we could work together, book a consultation and let’s talk about what’s possible.

unDUBBED Podcast - D32 The Flerlage Twins on 10 Years, 451 Blog Posts & Why They're Not Stopping

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Summary

In this episode of unDUBBED, hosts Fiona and Sarah celebrate a decade of contributions from the Flerlage Twins to the Tableau community. They discuss the evolution of data storytelling, the importance of community support, and the intersection of design and analytics. The conversation also touches on the impact of AI on data practices, insights on teaching at scale, and memorable blog posts that have shaped their journey. The Flerlage Twins share their favorite memories and milestones, reflecting on their growth and the influence of their work in the data visualization space.

Takeaways

The Flerlage Twins have been influential in the Tableau community for a decade.

Community support is vital in the data visualisation field.

Design and analytics can coexist beautifully in data storytelling.
AI is a powerful tool, but quality data remains essential.
Teaching complex topics in a digestible way is a key strength of the Flerlage Twins.
The Flerlage Twins' blog has over 451 posts, showcasing their expertise.
Memorable moments in their career include awards and presentations at Tableau Conference.
The importance of collaboration and learning from others in the community.
Their journey reflects the evolution of data practices over the years.
The Flerlage Twins emphasize the blend of creativity and technical skills in data visualisation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to unDUBBED and the Flerlage Twins

02:51 Celebrating a Decade of Data Storytelling

04:10 The Journey of the Flerlage Twins

08:31 The Impact of Community and Support

10:53 The Art and Math of Data Visualization

16:38 Reflections on AI and the Future of Data

19:35 The Importance of Data Quality in AI

20:15 Concerns About Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

21:26 AI's Impact on Work and Productivity

23:13 The Role of Human Input in AI

25:33 Ethics and Dangers of AI

25:42 Teaching at Scale: Learning Styles and Content Creation

38:16 Popular Tableau Techniques and Their Impact

40:06 Technical Glitches and Solutions

40:08 Top Blog Posts and Their Impact

42:21 Memorable Blog Posts and Their Significance

45:11 Favorite Memories and Milestones

50:03 Reflections on Career Decisions and Growth

Links

The Flerlage Twins: https://www.flerlagetwins.com/

Ken on Tableau Public: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/ken.flerlage

Kevin on Tableau Public: https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/kevin.flerlage

Ken on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethflerlage/

Kevin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-flerlage-20106a8/

Moxy Analytics: https://www.moxyanalytics.com/the-flerlage-twins

Keywords

Flerlage Twins, Tableau, data visualization, community, AI, teaching, analytics, design, blog, podcast

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