Building the Influence as a Statistician in a Clinical Trial Team

In this episode of The Effective Statistician podcast, I dive into the art of persuasion. As statisticians and data scientists, we often rely on logic and data, but true influence requires more than just being right. Drawing from ancient Greek philosophy, I explore the three pillars of persuasion—ethos (credibility), logos (logic), and pathos (emotion)—and share practical strategies to help you effectively convince others. Whether you are presenting new methodologies, influencing key stakeholders, or advocating for change, this episode will equip you with essential communication skills to make a lasting impact.

In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I sit down with Kaspar Rufibach to tackle a topic that affects statisticians every day—how to interpret p-values, confidence intervals, and statistical hypotheses. We explore the differences between Fisher’s and Neyman-Pearson’s approaches, clear up common misconceptions, and discuss how misinterpreting statistical significance can lead to flawed conclusions. Using real-world examples from clinical trials and drug development, we highlight best practices for communicating statistical results effectively. Whether you're working with clinicians or business stakeholders, this episode will help you gain clarity on these fundamental statistical concepts and use them correctly in your daily work.

In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I dive into a crucial skill—building influence within a clinical trial team. As statisticians, we often need to negotiate timelines, advocate for better analysis methods, and ensure clear communication across teams. The stronger our influence, the more impact we can have on study outcomes and, ultimately, patients. I break down the key pillars of trust—care, character, and competence—and share practical strategies to help you collaborate effectively, align team priorities, and proactively tackle challenges. Tune in and start building your influence today!

I know firsthand how challenging it can be to manage a heavy workload while maintaining mental well-being. In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I talk with Peter Wehmeier about the five key dimensions of self-management—building strong relationships, setting priorities, making decisions, and taking action. We share practical strategies to reduce stress, strengthen resilience, and take control of both work and life. With insights from Peter’s upcoming workshops, this conversation offers valuable tools to help you stay balanced and productive. Tune in to learn how to take charge of your future!

Welcome to another episode of The Effective Statistician! Today, I sit down with Darko Medin to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming biostatistics. Darko works as a biostatistician for companies worldwide and builds digital solutions that push AI’s boundaries. We dive into Bio AI Works, the platform he’s developing to improve AI reliability and eliminate issues like hallucinations in large language models. Darko explains how AI can enhance statistical accuracy, uncover hidden data patterns, and accelerate breakthroughs in oncology and precision medicine. If you want to understand how AI can revolutionize biostatistics while maintaining scientific rigor, this episode is for you. Let’s get started!

In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I explore Slow Productivity by Cal Newport—a book that challenges how we think about work and efficiency. I welcome Alun Bedding and Steve Mallett to discuss how statisticians can apply Newport’s principles: doing fewer things, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality. We share our experiences with managing workloads, cutting unnecessary meetings, and focusing on meaningful work. If you want to break free from the busyness trap and boost your impact, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I talk with Justin Belair about the process of writing a book on causal inference, one of the hottest topics in statistics. Justin explains how he discovered causal inference, what motivated him to write a hands-on technical book, and how he balances theory, real-world applications, and coding exercises. Having written a book myself, I know the challenges firsthand, so we dive into the strategies that make writing more effective. If you want to learn more about causal inference, apply practical tools in your work, or even write a book yourself, this episode has plenty of insights and inspiration. Tune in and join the conversation!

In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I introduce the Medical Data Leaders Community (MDLC)—a powerful new resource for statisticians, data scientists, programmers, and other quantitative professionals in healthcare research. I created this community to help you build and refine your leadership skills, so you can increase your influence and drive better decision-making in your organization. Leadership growth requires continuous learning, practice, and reflection, and MDLC provides the tools to support you every step of the way. Through workshops, peer mentoring, and real-world applications, you’ll develop strategic thinking, negotiation skills, and a stronger leadership presence. If you want to take your career to the next level, this episode will show you how MDLC can help.

Do you ever feel like your to-do list keeps growing no matter how much you check off? I’ve been there—busy all day but still feeling unproductive and overwhelmed. In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I share practical strategies to help you take back control. You'll learn why to-do lists spiral out of control, how to use the “single bridge system” to manage tasks efficiently, and how prioritization, delegation, and leadership skills can transform the way you work. If you’re ready to break free from endless tasks and start making real progress, this episode is for you!

In this episode of The Effective Statistician, I tackle the challenge of a packed calendar head-on. If back-to-back meetings, endless calls, and constant interruptions leave you with no time for deep, meaningful work, you’re not alone. I once averaged 37 meetings per week, so I know exactly how overwhelming it feels. I break down why our calendars spiral out of control, the real cost of this nonstop busyness, and, most importantly, three actionable strategies to reclaim your time. If you’re ready to take charge of your schedule and work smarter—not just harder—this episode is for you!