How Applied Improvisation Develops and Reinforces Interpersonal Skills
Show notes
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:
- Explaining complex ideas clearly
- Speaking confidently in meetings
- Engaging non-statistical stakeholders
- Feeling held back by imposter syndrome
…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:**
- Why communication—not technical skill—is often the real bottleneck
- How improv builds confidence and reduces fear of mistakes
- Why “yes, and…” can transform conversations and teamwork
- How body language alone can make or break your message
**
- 00:00 – Introduction to Applied Improvisation Why improv is more than comedy—and why it matters for statisticians
- 03:00 – Richard’s Journey into Improv From watching Whose Line Is It Anyway? to teaching scientists
- 06:30 – Thinking on Your Feet & Team Collaboration Why improv is not about you—it’s about building ideas together
- 08:20 – “Yes, And” and “I’ve Got Your Back” Core improv principles that strengthen communication and trust
- 10:20 – You Don’t Need to Be Funny Why authenticity matters more than humor
- 12:00 – Why Statisticians Need Interpersonal Skills Great ideas go nowhere if you can’t communicate them
- 14:30 – Learning Through Play Why improv exercises outperform traditional leadership training
- 18:30 – Online vs. In-Person Improv How improvisation works even in virtual settings
- 20:40 – What to Expect from the PSI Workshop Interactive exercises, reflection, and real-world application
- 22:30 – The “Gibberish” Exercise A powerful lesson: communication goes far beyond words
- 24:20 – Simplicity in Communication How to make ideas memorable for non-statisticians
- 26:00 – Improv and Presentation Skills Reducing fear and embracing mistakes
- 27:30 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome How improv builds confidence over time
- 30:10 – Final Advice: Rethinking Mistakes Mistakes are not failures—they’re opportunities for growth
**
- Connect with Richard Zink on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-c-zink/
- Learn more about PSI and their events: PSI https://postpartum.net/professionals/psi-conference/
- Explore training opportunities in applied improvisation https://ww3.aievolution.com/JSMAnnual2025/Events/viewEv?ev=4318
All episodes of The Effective Statistician – in association with PSI