The Heart & Science of Leadership

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Communication is very complex. Even the slightest change in tone, volume, or cadence can alter the communicative intent as experienced by the listener. In this episode I discuss what you should be aware of, and what you can do instead.

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In this episode, Dr. John Austin and I talk behavior science, leadership, and practical approaches for improving climate, culture, and reaching results. Dr. Austin is an internationally recognized expert in providing behavior-based solutions to organizational challenges. He is the founder of Reaching Results, a consultancy for management, motivation, leadership, and safety. Dr. Austin was a Professor of Psychology at Western Michigan University. He has consulted with organizations for 20 years to improve productivity and safety in various industries. In addition, in the area of improving human performance, he has published nearly 100 articles and chapters, and delivered over 200 presentations at regional, national, and international conferences. He has published three books, Organizational Change, Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis, and Mindfulness at Work.
Show Notes References:

• When They Win, You Win: Being a Great Manager Is Simpler Than You Think
• Dr. Austin's new website for ABA leaders
• Dr. Austin's website for professionals interested in improving safety

Info on Dr. Austin's courses and services is on both sites.

Pick up a copy of the #1 bestseller: Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science

The Behavioral Toolbox equips those charged with supporting behavior change in schools with practical applications of the science of human behavior for making a positive difference in the workplace. In this case, the classroom and school!

Be sure to subscribe to Dr. Paulie's Heart & Science YouTube channel for a variety of content related to behavior science and bringing out the best in yourself and others.

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In this episode, David Roth and I emphasize the critical need for the field of behavior analysis to delve deeper into the concept of resilience. While the concept of resilience is widely acknowledged, there's a gap in our understanding of it. It's our goal to ignite a conversation and inspire action on the pressing issue of defining and analyzing resilience. Today's discussion is driven by compassion and our personal experiences that have served as a catalyst to encourage this exploration.
Additional Resources:
Estes and Skinner Paper
Gavoni and Polk Paper

Pick up a copy of the #1 bestseller: Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science

The Behavioral Toolbox equips those charged with supporting behavior change in schools with practical applications of the science of human behavior for making a positive difference in the workplace. In this case, the classroom and school!

Be sure to subscribe to Dr. Paulie's Heart & Science YouTube channel for a variety of content related to behavior science and bringing out the best in yourself and others.

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In his book Beyond Freedom and Dignity, Skinner (1971) reminds us that “culture is the social environment that shapes and maintains the behavior of those who live in it. A given culture evolves as new practices arise, possibly for irrelevant reasons, and are selected by their contribution to the strength of the culture as it “competes” with the physical environment and with other cultures.”
Now, we (Steve Ward and I) mention the term culture because there are words in our culture that have strong connotations and evoke conditioned emotional responses, bias, and bias confirmation as people tend to unknowingly search out data and surround themselves with other people who reinforce their bias. Words that are common yet evoke strong emotional responses from those both outside and inside of our field like:
• Positive, negative, consequence, manipulate, control, and punishment
• Assent, trauma-informed, and compassion
In other sciences, this may not be an issue. But when you begin talking about behavior and using any one or combination of the words above, people, including behavior analysts, are going to fall back on their extensive learning history, which may or may not be directly related to the science of human behavior. Those newer to the field may have a stronger emotional response than veterans who have, over time, been conditioned to respond differently. Still, many responses, in both cases, might fall into a classification of behaviors that might be considered rule-governed behavior. And while rule-governed behavior may serve a general set of circumstances that meet our personal and shared values, it can also lack nuanced and functional sophistication to produce socially valid outcomes for those we serve.
When we exceedingly follow rules, we sacrifice empiricism. We become less likely to recognize when an intervention is not working. This, of course, preempts analysis. There is no impetus for problem-solving if a problem is not identified. We can’t begin to analyze why an intervention is not working if we don’t realize that it is not working.
In the episode, Steve Ward, Kayla Perry, and Dr. Merrill Winston take a deep dive into the concepts of assent, trauma-informed care, and compassion; moreover, they illuminate current challenges within the field of behavior analysis as they relate to the exceedingly broad use of terms like these that lack nuance and seemingly promote rule-governance.
NOTES:
Article by Steve and Paulie referenced in the podcast
Steve Ward:
Whole Child Consulting
Kayla Perry:
Honestly Unorthodox
Merrill Winston:

Pick up a copy of the #1 bestseller: Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science

The Behavioral Toolbox equips those charged with supporting behavior change in schools with practical applications of the science of human behavior for making a positive difference in the workplace. In this case, the classroom and school!

Be sure to subscribe to Dr. Paulie's Heart & Science YouTube channel for a variety of content related to behavior science and bringing out the best in yourself and others.

Send us a text

Ever been dumped? Remember that pain? Being broken up with is something that most people experience at some point in their life. Many learn and continue to move forward. But for some, it's a painful experience they try to avoid but end up living many times over. If you are one of those people, what might you have done more, less, or differently to avoid the breakup? Perhaps you wanted to get back together, but it didn't work out. Or maybe feelings are fading while emotional outbursts are increasing in your current relationship, and you'd like to learn some tips for improving it. In this episode, I unpack the science behind human relationships with New York Times featured relationship coach expert, Lee Wilson.
In our conversation we discuss a number of relationship dynamics, offering an in-depth look at what he calls the "no contact rule," the power of self-reflection, and the role of support in relationships. Lee and I take a closer look at the concept of limerence, its role in driving us towards intimate relationships, and the dangerous consequences of imbalanced relationships. We tackle strategies to strike a healthy balance, alongside analyzing the impact of no contact in breakups, and then touch upon navigating changes in relationships and the importance of renegotiation to maintain a healthy connection.
Finally, we weave our way through the complexities of interpersonal dynamics, with Lee providing real-world solutions grounded in solid behavioral principles.
Coach Lee's Article on Limerence
Why feelings fade
Coach Lee's YouTube Channel

Pick up a copy of the #1 bestseller: Adaptive Intelligence: The Evolution of Emotional Intelligence Through the Proven Power of Behavior Science

The Behavioral Toolbox equips those charged with supporting behavior change in schools with practical applications of the science of human behavior for making a positive difference in the workplace. In this case, the classroom and school!

Be sure to subscribe to Dr. Paulie's Heart & Science YouTube channel for a variety of content related to behavior science and bringing out the best in yourself and others.