The People Contingency | Avoid Staff Turnover in ABA

In the ABA and IDD space, we often treat staff turnover like a natural disaster—something unavoidable that just happens to us because of the market or the nature of the work. But Nate Beers, BCBA and host of the IDD Leader podcast, argues that retention isn't a roll of the dice; it is a direct reflection of how we support our frontline leaders. With over 20 years of experience, Nate has seen that while we promote people for their clinical excellence, we often leave them stranded when it comes to the actual human business of being a boss.In this episode, Nate challenges the industry to move past the "doomsday" mindset and take radical ownership of the employee experience. He introduces the concept of "Burnover"—a toxic mix of burnout and turnover that occurs when a system prioritizes billable hours over rich social reinforcement. From the "math lesson" he learned in Thailand to the habits of agencies crushing the turnover game, Nate shares a practical framework for winning the hearts of your team and building a culture that people never want to leave.In this conversation, Nate explores:Why supervisors—not the market or the pay rates—are the primary reason staff stay or go.The "cold culture" that happens when reinforcement vanishes and aversives take over.Shifting the paradigm to treat employment as a product that must be delivered excellently every single day.Why the first step to stability is having a leadership team that takes personal ownership of the data.How agencies have achieved exceptionally low turnover through competency-based onboarding and rich feedback loops.A fundamental lesson in motivation, rewards, and clear contingencies.Ideas Worth Sharing"It’s not usually one big change. It’s usually a hundred small changes. And I found that to be true as well when it comes to the issue of turnover, you start to make small changes and they start to pile up on top of each other." - Nate Beers“We're selling the product of jobs. We need our delivery to be awesome so that we get the people that work there become fanatics.” - Nate Beers“If you've won their hearts, everything else will follow just fine. Everything else is going to fall into place because the right kinds of decisions will get made.” - Nate Beers“When a problem has no owner, it doesn't get fixed.” - Nate BeersResources MentionedConnect with Nate Beers[Free Tool] Burnout/Burnover AssessmentThe IDD Leader PodcastBooks Recommended by Nate:The 5 Levels of Leadership – John MaxwellThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team – Patrick LencioniBoundaries – Dr. Henry CloudBringing Out the Best in People – Aubrey Daniels Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

Every field has a story about why people leave. In ABA, we often point to burnout, productivity pressure, or not enough “buy-in” from staff. And those things are real. But according to Organizational Behavior Management expert Dr. Manny Rodriguez, they’re rarely the root cause.With over 20 years of experience guiding leaders across Fortune 500 companies, startups, schools, and human service organizations, Manny has seen this pattern repeat itself over and over again. Turnover, disengagement, and leadership fatigue are not personal failures. They are predictable outcomes of poorly designed systems.In this episode, Manny breaks down why organizations keep treating workforce issues like motivation problems instead of design problems, how leadership behavior is shaped by the systems around it, and what it actually looks like to build environments where people can succeed without burning out.Drawing from his work as Director of Strategic Growth at Puzzle Box Academy and his decades in OBM, Manny walks through how small system changes can create meaningful shifts in staff behavior, supervisor capacity, and organizational stability.In this conversation, Manny explores:Why most retention issues are systems problems, not people problemsHow organizational design unintentionally reinforces burnout and avoidanceWhat leaders often misunderstand about motivation and accountabilityWhy overwhelmed supervisors are a signal of system failure, not weaknessHow to identify which behaviors your systems are really reinforcingWhat “making work easier” actually looks like through an OBM lensHow values break down when systems punish ethical or effective behaviorWhy sustainable change starts with redesigning conditions, not demanding more effortIdeas Worth Sharing“A leader is one that spends time with their people and helps them, mentors them, shapes them for growth.” – Dr. Manny Rodriguez“Never underestimate the power of social reinforcement.” – Dr. Manny Rodriguez"If you have a supervisor who doesn't know where those limits are, it's not the supervisor's fault... the organization did something wrong, meaning they did not arm that supervisor with the proper, clear expectations." – Dr. Manny Rodriguez“Any day that goes by, any week that goes by, if you haven't spoken to your staff member, if you haven't spoken to your colleague or to your boss, something's already missed.” – Dr. Manny RodriguezResources MentionedConnect with MannyOBM Applied!Quick Wins!Organizational Behavior Management: A Practitioner’s GuideMeasure of a Leader Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

Every generation thinks the one behind it doesn’t want to work. But what if the real issue isn’t work ethic at all?In this episode, leadership researcher, author, and founder of Boss Hero School Joe Mull examines what truly fuels commitment in the workplace—and why turnover, call-offs, and disengagement are almost always symptoms of broken systems, not broken people.Listen in as Joe shares the research behind his “Employalty” framework, the three conditions that must exist for commitment to thrive, and what leaders need to stop doing if they want people to stay, grow, and give their best.In this conversation, Joe breaks down:Why “no one wants to work” is one of the most persistent workplace myths in history.The sociological pattern behind generational blame.The three conditions where commitment naturally forms.How attendance and call-off problems are driven by belief systems (not laziness).The difference between accountability and punishment in behavior change.Why collaboration builds stronger policies than top-down mandates.The two questions that transform organizations into destination workplaces.How language frameworks unlock better retention conversations.Ideas Worth Sharing:“People do a great job when they believe they have a great job.” - Joe Mull“Commitment appears when employees are in their ideal job doing meaningful work for a great boss.” - Joe Mull“If working for you negatively impacts what's most important to them, you've got no shot at retaining that employee.” - Joe MullResources mentioned:Boss Hero SchoolBoss Better Now PodcastEmployalty: How to Ignite Commitment and Keep Top Talent in the New Age of Work by Joe MullOther books by Joe: Cure for the Common Leader | No More Team DramaAbout the GuestJoe Mull is a leadership researcher, speaker, and author focused on building healthier, more committed workplaces. He is the founder of Boss Hero School, creator of the Employalty framework, and host of the Boss Better Now podcast. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Harvard Business Review. In 2025, he was inducted into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame—an honor reserved for less than 1% of speakers worldwide.Connect with Joe: Website | LinkedInConnect with Holli: Website | LinkedinIf today’s conversation sparked ideas for how to fix your own people systems, don’t stop here. Follow The People Contingency wherever you listen. And if you know a leader who’s tired of burnout and turnover, share this episode with them. The more of us building retention-first systems, the stronger our field becomes. Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

Every field has stories about why people leave. In ABA, we say it's burnout—the emotional weight, the billable hours pressure, the inconsistent pay. And all of that is real. But it's not the whole story.According to BCBA, instructional designer, and founder of Sidekick Learning Allyson Wharam, the root of retention begins long before burnout ever shows up. It begins in the systems that train us, supervise us, and shape whether people feel like analysts or just interventionists. When supervision cracks, everything downstream does too.In this episode, Allyson explores why supervision is the cornerstone of retention, how organizations unintentionally create structural fatigue, and what it takes to build training systems that help people grow with clarity, confidence, and a roadmap they can actually see.In this conversation, Allyson breaks down:Why turnover is often a systems problem, not an individual one.What “structural fatigue” looks like for trainees and new BCBAs.How organizations can standardize without becoming rigid.What curriculum design looks like when it’s built backwards from competence.Why supervisors need tools—not just hours—to do their job well.How to identify a trainee’s true skill level beyond “hours completed.”What great matching looks like between supervisors and student analysts.How specialized roles and job crafting strengthen retention.Why visibility into one’s own data and progress fuels motivation and clarity.How systems communicate value, opportunity, and belonging through what they reinforce.Ideas Worth Sharing:“Behavior analysis should not be this cookie-cutter cookbook approach. If someone is not trained with those really core conceptual foundations, then they do become more of an interventionist versus an analyst.” - Allyson Wharam"The 40-hour training… it's both too much and not enough at the same time." - Allyson Wharam“We can't take things in isolation. We have to look at everything as a function of the system, and then we can be more intentional about how we're making changes so that we can move the organization forward.” - Allyson WharamResources mentioned:A Call for Discussion About Scope of Competence in Behavior Analysis - PMCNew Mager Six-Pack by Robert F. MagerDesigning Effective Instruction by Tiemann & Markle (available through Morningside Academy)In the Field: The ABA Podcast Episode 29: Preventing Crisis and Building Culture: Leadership Lessons with Dr. Paul "Paulie" GavoniAbout the GuestAllyson Wharam is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, instructional designer, and the founder of Sidekick Learning, where she designs competency-based supervision and training systems for ABA organizations. She holds a master's degree in Instructional Design & Technology from the University of Virginia and completed her behavior analysis coursework through the Florida Institute of Technology. She is also the host of In the Field, a podcast where she brings honest, practitioner-level conversations about qualit Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

Most leaders assume their biggest challenge is time—not enough of it, too much to do, and a calendar that never stops filling. But according to productivity expert and award-winning author Maura Nevel Thomas, time isn’t the problem at all. It’s distraction. And the more we try to solve distraction with time-management tools, the further we drift from meaningful, significant results.In this episode, Maura offers a refreshing and deeply human reframing of productivity: focus less on time and more on attention. In a world of nonstop interruptions, her Empowered Productivity system helps leaders reclaim intention, reduce overwhelm, and build cultures where focus and accountability can actually thrive. Listen in to learn why time management is outdated, how leaders unintentionally create cultures of distraction, and what it takes to build organizations where people feel empowered, grounded, and capable of meaningful work.In this conversation, Maura breaks down:Why distraction is the real productivity crisis.How constant reactivity conditions teams to stay overwhelmed.The difference between focus and attention management.How unconscious beliefs (like “I must always be available”) quietly derail performance.The surprising way leaders undermine accountability without realizing it.Language shifts that foster ownership and reduce unnecessary interruptions.How culture affects attention, decision-making, and turnover—especially in high-pressure fields.What “don’t work too much” really means and why balance must be clearly defined inside organizations.What leaders should actually look for when interviewing for attention-healthy teams.Ideas Worth Sharing:“Time isn't our problem. What I think is our problem is distractions. And you can't solve a distraction problem with a time solution.” - Maura Nevel Thomas“The antidote to distraction is attention.” - Maura Nevel Thomas“Sometimes the best thing you can do for your work is not work.” - Maura Nevel ThomasResources mentioned:Productivity AssessmentEmpowered Productivity | Maura ThomasProgress Principle by Teresa Amabile & Steven Kramer Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanFocus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence by Daniel GolemanAbout the GuestMaura Nevel Thomas is an international keynote speaker, trainer, and author specializing in attention management and empowered productivity. Her work has been featured by Google, NASA, the U.S. Army, and hundreds of high-performing organizations navigating the demands of modern work. Maura’s research-driven insights challenge outdated productivity models and offer leaders a practical path toward focus, clarity, and meaningful results. She is the creator of the Empowered Productivity System and author of several bestselling books on attention and workplace well-being.Connect with Maura: Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

Most leaders think solving workforce challenges comes down to data, compliance, or improving systems.But what if the real leverage point is far more human—compassion, ethics, and the courage to have honest conversations?Dr. Tyra Sellers, owner of TP Sellers and one of the most influential voices in modern ABA leadership, challenges us to rethink how we define professionalism, accountability, and decision-making.With over 30 years in ABA service delivery, ethics, supervision, and executive leadership, Tyra brings both clarity and heart to conversations that most leaders avoid.Listen in as she explains how courageous communication and mistake-forward cultures promote organizational success.In this conversation, Tyra breaks down:What compassion actually looks like in practice.How empathic leaders can stay grounded.Why perfectionism paralyzes hiring, supervision, and decision-making.How to protect fairness and reduce bias.What a genuine “blameless” culture sounds like.Why “breaking” new systems on purpose leads to safer, stronger practices.How leaders can recognize a culture where mistakes are safe to share.Ideas Worth Sharing:“Leaders [are] the least important person in the team… You're there to facilitate the success of all of the people around you.” - Dr. Sellers“​​Compassion should be a component and inform everything you do. The same way ethics isn't some separate thing that you do on a Tuesday when something bad happens.” - Dr. Sellers“A mistake isn't a bad thing. A mistake is just a non-optimal outcome... Mistakes are more about learning how we can create systems that are more effective or more efficient or safer." - Dr. SellersResources mentioned:Pass the Big ExamThe New Supervisor’s WorkbookDaily EthicsBuilding and Sustaining Effective RelationshipsRadical Candor by Kim ScottSupercommunicators by Charles DuhiggDifficult Conversations by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton, Sheila HeenThe Afro-Minimalist’s Guide to Living with Less by Christine PlattPerformance Diagnostic Checklist - Human Services (PDC-HS)Assessing the efficacy of and preference for positive and corrective feedback - PubMedA further investigation regarding the efficacy of and preference for positiveDr. Tyra Sellers is a behavior analyst and the owner of TP Sellers, LLC. She has over 30 years of experience working in the profession, and has held positions as an Assistant Professor at Utah State University, Director o Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

Most leaders assume burnout comes from heavy workloads, unrealistic targets, or a lack of self-care.But what if the real driver is something far more foundational — the way we relate to ourselves, our language, and even our sense of time?Scott Herbst, founder of SixFlex Training & Consulting, offers a refreshing and deeply human take. He helps leaders see burnout not as a symptom of “too much to do,” but as a breakdown in integrity, alignment, and the stories we tell ourselves about work.Listen in as he explains how language shapes our experience, why integrity has nothing to do with morality, and how leaders can rebuild clarity and presence before burnout ever takes hold.In this conversation, Scott breaks down:Why we experience burnout when we treat ourselves like objects to manage.How language shapes reality—not just describes it.The question that gets past complaints to what you truly care about.Why teams drift and need ongoing realignment.How integrity gets hijacked by excuses and justifications.Why leaders must own their broken agreements first.What interview questions reveal real leadership capacity.How to define shared values without virtue signaling.Ideas Worth Sharing:“One thing that I think leads to burnout is that there is a misunderstanding of what it is to be a human being.” - Scott Herbst“Your language is this weird behavior that shapes how you see the world, how you see other people, how you see yourself.” - Scott Herbst“Ask questions about where people have provided leadership. … ‘Tell me about a place where you weren't recognized as leadership.’ … ‘What was that like?’ And you'll start to see how they answer… how they see leadership.” - Scott HerbstResources mentioned:SixFlex TrainingThe Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. KuhnGödel, Escher, Bach: The Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas R. HofstadterThe Grapes of Wrath by John SteinbeckAbout the GuestScott Herbst is the founder and president of SixFlex Training & Consulting, where he provides behaviorally based coaching and training in leadership and communication. Through his practical and research-informed approach, Scott helps individuals and teams uncover what truly matters, restore alignment, and communicate with clarity. Participants in his programs consistently report breakthrough results not only in their work, but across every area of life.Connect with Scott: LinkedIn | SixFlex Training | PodcastConnect with Holli: Website | Linkedin Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

When union whispers start circulating among your staff, most leaders panic. They tighten policies, hold mandatory meetings, or double down on compliance.Phillip Wilson, president of the Labor Relations Institute and founder of Approachable Leadership, invites us to ask a better question: What broke before the whispers began?With decades of labor relations expertise, Phil breaks down how the unions employees seek are almost always symptoms of leadership they don't trust. Listen in as he explains the power distance gap, the difference between compliant and committed teams, and why the best union avoidance strategy is building a workplace people never want to leave.You'll discover how vulnerability, relationships, and the hero assumption change retention from the inside out.In this conversation, Phil breaks down:The real reason employees start union conversations.How approachability reduces turnover intentions by 78%.Why employees still fear leaders who say, “My door is always open.”What young or untrained supervisors get wrong about leadership.Why leaders must stop promoting top performers without people skills.The difference between employee relations and employee relationships.How theory X mindsets create compliant teams, while “hero assumptions” create committed ones.Ideas Worth Sharing:“If you view your leader as approachable, you have 78% lower turnover intention than someone who rates their leader as unapproachable.” - Phillip Wilson“No one wakes up thinking they're the villain of the story.” - Phillip Wilson“The way you don't have a union is by doing a good job of running your ship. And that's not just a union avoidance strategy. That's how you take great care of your guests. That's how you take great care of your team.” - Phillip WilsonResources mentioned:Traction by Gino WickmanRocket Fuel by Gino Wickman & Mark C. WintersThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick LencioniThe Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay StanierThe Leader-Shift Playbook by Phillip WilsonAll Books by Phillip WilsonEOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)About the GuestPhillip Wilson is the president of the Labor Relations Institute (LRI) and founder of Approachable Leadership. He is the author of multiple leadership books, including The Approachability Playbook, Left of Boom, and his newest release, The Leader-Shift Playbook. Phil has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, MSNBC, and Fox Business, and has testified before Congress as an expert on labor relations and workplace transparency. Through his research-backed approach to closing the power distance gap, Phil has helped organizations across industries create cultures where employees feel valued, heard, and committed long Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

When turnover feels endless, most leaders look for quick fixes: bonuses, new policies, tighter oversight.Dr. Heather McGee from Western Michigan University invites us to pause and ask better questions. What if the problem isn’t people, but the systems that shape their behavior?In this episode, Dr. McGee brings her decades of experience in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) to show how the same scientific rigor we use in clinical settings can impact the workplace.Listen in to learn how data, reinforcement, and environmental design can create teams that prosper—and stay.In this conversation, Heather breaks down:The myth that everyone on your team is motivated by passion for the field.Why desperate hiring and “rosy” job ads fuel the turnover loop.How to apply the employee life cycle lens.The difference between retraining and fixing broken training systems.How recognition, autonomy, and psychological safety outperform monetary rewards.The danger of reinforcing the wrong behaviors (and how to measure what truly matters).What it really means to “analyze contingencies” across the organization.Ideas Worth Sharing:“Not everyone finds this kind of work because that's what they've always dreamed of doing. For many folks coming in, especially at the entry level, they're there because they need a job, and this is a job.” - Dr. Heather McGee“Rather than focusing on what's wrong with them that they're not coming to work, it's time to start looking at what's wrong with the work environment that we're asking them to come to that is leading to people saying, ‘I can't do it today.’” - Dr. Heather McGee“If you train them once and they now need retraining, what's wrong with your training?” - Dr. Heather McGeeResources mentioned:Book: Improving Performance: How to Manage the White Space on the Organizational Chart by Geary A. Rummler and Alan P. BracheOBM NetworkWestern Michigan University OBM ProgramAbout the GuestDr. Heather McGee is a Professor of Psychology and Chair of the Industrial/Organizational Behavior Management graduate programs at Western Michigan University. A leader in Organizational Behavior Management, she’s consulted across industries—from autism services to healthcare—helping organizations strengthen performance systems and workplace culture. Dr. McGee is the former Executive Director of the OBM Network, an associate editor for the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, and serves on the boards of ALULA and Intermountain Centers for Human Development.Connect with Holli:Website: ⁠https://abacaresstaffing.comLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollibeth⁠Connect with Heather:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-mcgee-8482b46If today’s conversation sparked ideas for how to fix your own people systems, don’t stop here. Follow The People Contingency wherever you listen. And if  Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

High turnover is one of the biggest headaches for leaders, especially when working with a young workforce entering their very first jobs. Most businesses try to fix the problem with incentives, strict policies, or constant hiring cycles. But what if the solution is simpler… and more human?In this episode, Chris Deferio, founder of Keys to the Shop and renowned voice in the coffee industry, shares why building people-first systems is the secret to reducing burnout, creating strong teams, and fostering long-term retention. Chris and Holli dig into the mindset shifts leaders need to make, how to interview for values instead of buzzwords, and why being a manager is really about stewardship—not authority.Listen in to hear Chris’s story of perseverance after a frightening personal experience and how his lessons from specialty coffee apply to every industry with frontline teams.In this conversation, Chris breaks down:The biggest barriers young workers face when entering the workforce for the first time.Why clear systems and people-first leadership prevent overwhelm and turnover.How to interview for values instead of “culture fit” clichés.The difference between good feedback and destructive criticism.A powerful mindset shift for employees to succeed in their first job (and beyond).Ideas Worth Sharing:“Systems as a form of care... when you're looking at a schedule, when you're looking at the SOPs, and all of the tools you have at your disposal—these are lifelines for staff to know what the expectations of them are at work, how to win.” - Chris Deferio“Until you are an asset to the business, you're kind of a liability... you should see that as 'Oh, I really have to honor their investment in me by adding value past the onboarding, past the training, taking this seriously.’” - Chris Deferio“Leaders automatically have weight in their presence that they can't actually tell is there as much, but everybody else can. So you have to be aware of that extra weight that you have or else what your intentions are might not come through the way you think.” - Chris DeferioResources mentioned:SHIFT BREAK! Better Than Bad is Not Good - Keys to the ShopSetting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny MeyerKey Holder Coaching GroupsAbout the GuestChris Deferio is a leader, educator, and podcast host with over 25 years in the specialty coffee industry. As the founder of Keys to the Shop, he helps coffee shop owners and managers build healthy coffee shop cultures. A three-time latte art champion and sought-after speaker, Chris has trained teams around the world on leadership, hospitality, and retention strategies that work far beyond the coffee bar.Connect with Holli:Website: https://abacaresstaffing.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollibethConnect with Chris:Website: ⁠ Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

Most leaders say they’re drowning in meetings. The calendar is packed, the interruptions never stop, and the things they love about their work get buried under “urgent” noise. But what if the fix wasn’t another productivity hack, but rethinking the entire system around people?In this episode, Dr. Nicholas Weatherly examines why so many “solutions” (like endless training) don’t actually solve performance problems and how coaching systems, not quick fixes, change the game.Listen in as he gets candid about burnout, incentives, and why HR needs to get comfortable outside its comfort zone.In this conversation, Nic breaks down:Why leaders default to “just train them”—and why it rarely solves the problem.How to give leaders their time back without sacrificing results.How to build a coaching system that survives beyond the “consultant of the month”.How to balance purpose and productivity when incentives are on the line.A quick diagnostic lens for performance problems (skill vs. environment).Ideas Worth Sharing:“People do what they do because it works… And we know this because they keep doing it.” - Dr. Nicholas Weatherly“Just by doing something that sucks over and over again, it doesn't make it suck less—you just keep on repeating the cycle. But you can check that box and get it out of your hair.” - Dr. Nicholas Weatherly“If you're going to do one thing, you need to build a coaching system because people need individualized support. And coaching provides these quick, concise, frequent interactions that are necessary to shape behavior and help people find value in what's working and what's not.” - Dr. Nicholas WeatherlyResources mentioned:Podcast episode: WTF ABA C.A.R.E.S Podcast with Dr. Nicholas WeatherlyHolli Beth's LinkedIn PollPerformance Management by Aubrey DanielsBringing Out the Best in People by Aubrey DanielsDr John Austin - Performance Diagnostic ChecklistSHRM - Qualifying Professional Development Credit ActivitiesDeliberate Coaching by Nicholas Weatherly and Paul GavoniReaching ResultsTraining for Impact by Dana Gaines Robinson and James C. RobinsonBecoming Superman by J. Michael StraczynskiAbout the Guest Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

In this episode of the People Contingency Podcast, Holli Beth interviews Katrina Collier, who discusses her latest book, 'The Damage of Words,' and her journey of healing from childhood trauma. Katrina shares insights on the importance of inner child work, the impact of trauma on professional relationships, and the need for vulnerability in the workplace. She emphasizes the significance of setting boundaries, understanding narcissism, and the role of management in fostering a supportive work environment. The conversation highlights the connection between emotional well-being and professional success, offering valuable advice for recruiters and organizations.About KatrinaKatrina Collier helps organizations strengthen human connection and repair the collaboration gaps between recruiters and hiring managers that so often lead to clunky processes and a poor candidate experience. Through her workshops, she works directly with hiring managers and talent acquisition teams to quickly uncover the real barriers to successful hiring—and solve them.A sought-after global keynote speaker, Katrina is also the author of The Robot-Proof Recruiter: A Survival Guide for Recruiting and Sourcing Professionals and Reboot Hiring: The Key to Managers and Leaders Saving Time, Money, and Hassle When Recruiting.References MentionedThe Robot Proof RecruiterReboot HiringThe Damage of WordsMACE Method by Helen AmoryDr. Ramani Durvasula on InstagramEnjoyed the show? Follow along and leave a review. Every review helps us grow this community and bring more voices into the conversation Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

In this conversation, Holli Beth and Jennifer McClure explore the evolving role of HR in organizations, emphasizing its importance beyond compliance to fostering culture and engagement. They discuss the significance of data in HR practices, the necessity of building a strong employer brand, and the risks associated with ignoring employee feedback. Jennifer shares her experiences in transforming company culture and the critical role of trust in HR practices, ultimately highlighting the need for curiosity and engagement in leadership.About JenniferJennifer McClure is a keynote speaker and future of work strategist who empowers leaders and organizations to unleash their potential and accelerate results. As the CEO of Unbridled Talent and Chief Excitement Officer of DisruptHR, she blends decades of executive leadership experience with a passion for developing innovative, human-centered people strategies.A sought-after global keynote speaker, Jennifer guides leaders in navigating the evolving world of work, emphasizing high-impact leadership and the creation of thriving, inclusive workplace cultures. Her insights stem from practical experience and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing organizations in today’s rapidly evolving business landscape.Resources Mentioned🔗 Jennifer McClure on LinkedIn🔗 Jennifer McClure’s Website🔗 DisruptHR🎙️ Impact Makers Podcast📸 Jennifer on Instagram🔔 Like what you hear? Don’t forget to follow The People Contingency, leave a review, and share this episode with someone navigating the new world of work. Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

In this episode, Holli Beth sits down with Peter Cappelli to unpack the evolving realities of remote and hybrid work. They explore why office culture still matters, how mentorship and collaboration shift in distributed teams, and what’s at stake for early-career professionals. Cappelli shares evidence-based insights on supervision, hiring, and the hidden costs of poor management in today’s workplace.About PeterPeter Cappelli is the George W. Taylor Professor of Management at The Wharton School and Director of Wharton’s Center for Human Resources. He is also a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, and has advised governments and global organizations on employment policy and workforce development.Named one of the top 5 most influential management thinkers by HR Magazine and a top 50 influencer in aging by NPR, Cappelli brings decades of thought leadership to critical conversations about the future of work. His work is featured in The Wall Street Journal, HR Executive, and Harvard Business Review. His latest book, In Praise of the Office, examines the rise of remote work and what’s lost when we leave the office behind.Resources MentionedPeter Cappelli’s LinkedInPeter Cappelli’s Wharton Faculty PageIn Praise of the Office by Peter Cappelli (Wharton Publishing, 2025)Like what you hear? Don’t forget to follow The People Contingency, leave a review, and share this episode with someone navigating the new world of work.  Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home

In this episode, Angela Pointer delivers real talk on people-first leadership—sharing how intentional living shapes intentional leadership, and how aligning values with action builds trust, belonging, and real workplace culture.About Angela Angela Pointer, MS, BSN, RN, is a seasoned healthcare talent acquisition strategist and former nurse with over 28 years of experience. As President of AP Solutions, she helps organizations build high-impact leadership teams through innovative recruitment, executive search, and workforce development. Angela’s expertise spans acute care, ambulatory, and PE-backed settings, with a passion for mentoring, personal growth, and empowering inclusive leadership. She brings strategic insight, behavioral psychology fluency, and authentic advocacy to every conversation on the future of leadership.Resources Mentioned🔗Angela Pointer's LinkedIn Profile 🔗A.P. Solutions and Access to the Mastermind Program🔗Black Nurse Collaborative📚John C. Maxwell: "The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth" 📚Love + Work by Marcus Buckingham 🔔 Like what you hear? Don’t forget to follow The People Contingency, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who leads with heart. Stop fighting workforce challenges. Start outsmarting them. Join us at the ABA C.A.R.E.S. Summit and transform how you lead, staff, and grow your organization. Register today at https://behaviorlive.com/conferences/abacares2026/home