S3 E8: Change Leadership | Building Trust, Culture, & Systems for Lasting Growth

In this episode of Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers, Dr. Esther Bubb sits down with Erin McGrenaghan, MS.Ed., BCBA, Training and Development Specialist, to explore what happens when we move beyond delivering information and begin intentionally creating the conditions for people to learn, grow, implement, and thrive. Erin shares her journey from special education teacher to behavior analyst and professional development specialist—and how those experiences shaped her approach to adult learning, coaching, leadership, and professional development. Together, Esther and Erin explore: Why meaningful relationships are at the heart of learning and change How Behavior Skills Training can shape effective adult learning Why trust and psychological safety are foundational to professional growth The difference between passive, “stand-and-deliver” training and learning that changes behavior How hands-on practice, collaboration, stories, and follow-up promote skill generalization Why leaders should create cultures where people feel safe saying, “I don't know yet” How professional development can become a system of growth rather than a checkbox Why leaders should use feedback and data to determine what their teams actually need How solution-focused problem solving can shift people from focusing on problems to identifying possibilities And Erin's simple Monday Morning Move: pause, reflect, appreciate yourself, acknowledge someone else, and set an intention for growth. One of the central ideas from this conversation is that change is more than introducing new information. It's about intentionally creating the conditions where improvement can happen—and helping people implement and sustain what they've learned. If you're a leader, educator, BCBA, supervisor, coach, or change maker committed to developing people rather than simply directing them, this conversation is for you. Listen, reflect, and then ask yourself: What conditions am I creating for the people I lead to grow? Connect with Dr. Esther Bubb If you're passionate about leadership, behavior science, education, and creating cultures where people flourish, you're in the right place. Because leadership isn't about changing people—it's about creating the conditions where people discover what's possible. Subscribe to Behaviorally Speaking: Leadership for Change-Makers for conversations that bridge behavior analysis, leadership, education, and organizational change. If you enjoyed this episode: ⭐ Follow the podcast ⭐ Leave a rating and review ⭐ Share this episode with a colleague, supervisor, educator, or fellow leader ⭐ Visit Esther C. Bubb ABA Services for additional leadership resources, training, and professional development opportunities 🌐 Esther C Bubb ABA Services: https://esthercbubbabaservices.com 📝 Behaviorally Speaking Blog: https://esthercbubbabaservices.com/blog Leadership is behavior. And behavior always tells a story. About Our Guest Erin McGrenaghan, MS. Ed., BCBA, Training and Development Specialist Erin McGrenaghan is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Behavior Specialist (PA/NJ), Special Education Teacher, and Professional Development Specialist dedicated to supporting students, educators, and families through evidence-based practices, collaboration, and individualized support. With experience across special education, behavior analysis, instructional coaching, and educational consultation, Erin works closely with multidisciplinary teams to develop strategies that promote communication, independence, academic growth, and inclusive learning opportunities for students with diverse needs. A proud graduate of Drexel University, Erin earned a dual master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and Special Education with a certification in Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is passionate about bridging the gap between research and practical application by providing meaningful coaching, professional development, and training to educators and school teams in areas including classroom management, behavior intervention, autism support, communication systems, and effective instructional practices.