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How Applied Improvisation Develops and Reinforces Interpersonal Skills
A Conversation with Alun Bedding and Richard Zink
In this episode, I hand over the mic to Alun Bedding, who speaks with Richard Zink about a topic that might surprise many statisticians: applied improvisation.
At first glance, improv may seem unrelated to statistics or leadership. But as Richard shares his journey—from a biostatistician and software developer to an improv practitioner—it becomes clear how powerful these skills are for communication, collaboration, and leadership.
We explore how improv techniques help you think on your feet, listen deeply, support others, and communicate more effectively—all critical skills for statisticians working in complex, cross-functional environments.
**Why You Should Listen
**
If you’ve ever struggled with:
…then this episode is for you.
Applied improvisation offers a practical, hands-on way to strengthen interpersonal skills—without boring theory. Instead of reading about communication, you experience it.
**You’ll learn:
**
**Episode Highlights
**
Why improv is more than comedy—and why it matters for statisticians
From watching Whose Line Is It Anyway? to teaching scientists
Why improv is not about you—it’s about building ideas together
Core improv principles that strengthen communication and trust
Why authenticity matters more than humor
Great ideas go nowhere if you can’t communicate them
Why improv exercises outperform traditional leadership training
How improvisation works even in virtual settings
Interactive exercises, reflection, and real-world application
A powerful lesson: communication goes far beyond words
How to make ideas memorable for non-statisticians
Reducing fear and embracing mistakes
How improv builds confidence over time
Mistakes are not failures—they’re opportunities for growth
**Resources & Links
**
View all episodes
By Alexander Schacht and Benjamin Piske, biometricians, statisticians and leaders in the pharma industry
4.4
99 ratings
A Conversation with Alun Bedding and Richard Zink
In this episode, I hand over the mic to Alun Bedding, who speaks with Richard Zink about a topic that might surprise many statisticians: applied improvisation.
At first glance, improv may seem unrelated to statistics or leadership. But as Richard shares his journey—from a biostatistician and software developer to an improv practitioner—it becomes clear how powerful these skills are for communication, collaboration, and leadership.
We explore how improv techniques help you think on your feet, listen deeply, support others, and communicate more effectively—all critical skills for statisticians working in complex, cross-functional environments.
**Why You Should Listen
**
If you’ve ever struggled with:
…then this episode is for you.
Applied improvisation offers a practical, hands-on way to strengthen interpersonal skills—without boring theory. Instead of reading about communication, you experience it.
**You’ll learn:
**
**Episode Highlights
**
Why improv is more than comedy—and why it matters for statisticians
From watching Whose Line Is It Anyway? to teaching scientists
Why improv is not about you—it’s about building ideas together
Core improv principles that strengthen communication and trust
Why authenticity matters more than humor
Great ideas go nowhere if you can’t communicate them
Why improv exercises outperform traditional leadership training
How improvisation works even in virtual settings
Interactive exercises, reflection, and real-world application
A powerful lesson: communication goes far beyond words
How to make ideas memorable for non-statisticians
Reducing fear and embracing mistakes
How improv builds confidence over time
Mistakes are not failures—they’re opportunities for growth
**Resources & Links
**
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