This course will introduce individuals unfamiliar with OBM literature to the role of preferences in our management practice. This course will discuss common challenges associated with determining what staff want to work for, and provide a structure for creating categories of reinforcers based upon the non-profit literature. Additionally, countless different forms of reinforcers will be shared, along with a review of the literature associated with best practices in staff preference assessment. Finally, an emphasis will be made on the idea of moving beyond contrived reinforcers to creating work environments that eliminate the role of aversive control as an essential component of leadership behavior.
This course extends beyond the current BCBA and BCaBA Task Lists by applying behavior-analytic principles specifically to the organizational context of performance managementโaddressing how to identify and utilize staff preferences and reinforcers, a topic not explicitly outlined in standard task list content. It is behavior-analytic in nature, grounded in the use of preference assessments, categorization of social, tangible, work-related, engineered, and monetary reinforcers, and strategies to move away from aversive control toward positive reinforcement-based leadership. The course is designed for certified and aspiring behavior analystsโespecially those in supervisory or managerial rolesโproviding them with structured, research-informed tools to ethically and effectively motivate and manage staff performance.
Publication Date: May 2025
This Supervision course provides 2 CEU credits for BACB, QABA, and IBAO.
BACB CEUs
2 Credits
IBAO CEUs
2 Credits
QABA CEUs
2 Credits
Course Format
Video + Activities
Type of Credit
Supervision
ACE Provider
ACEย Provider Information Provider Name:ย 123 Behavior Analyst CE Provider Type:ย Organization Provider Number:ย OP-23-10561 Nextย Renewalย Date:ย 10/31/2026
Author/Speaker
Shannon Biagi is the CEO and founder of Chief Motivating Officers, LLC, an organization committed to improving the world at work through practical behavior change strategies. As an experienced organizational behavior management (OBM) practitioner, educator, and executive coach, she has partnered with organizations around the globe to drive meaningful, measurable change and empower leaders at all levels. Shannon is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and a co-author of the best-selling textbook OBM Applied: A Practical Guide to Implementing Organizational Behavior Management. She is completing her doctorate in Instructional and Performance Technology at the University of West Florida. Shannon also served for six years as Director of Operations for The OBM Network, the worldโs largest professional development organization focused on OBM.
Published Peer-Reviewed Research or Books on the Subject
โ Yes
Co-author of OBM Applied! (Volumes 1โ4), a peer-reviewed scholarly book series focused on Organizational Behavior Management, performance management, reinforcement systems, and leadership practices. Additional peer-reviewed publication in MIT Sloan Management Review and other scholarly and professional publications addressing evidence-based management, reinforcement, and systems-level behavior change directly relevant to staff preference assessment and reinforcement-based leadership.
โฅ 5 Years of Practical Experience(e.g., direct service delivery, applied practice, professional engagement)
โ Yes
Over a decade of applied professional experience in Organizational Behavior Management and performance management across nonprofit, healthcare, educational, and business settings. Extensive hands-on experience designing reinforcement systems, evaluating staff motivation, conducting preference-informed performance analyses, and consulting on leadership practices aimed at reducing aversive control and increasing reinforcement-based organizational cultures.
โฅ 3 Years Teaching / Training / Mentoring Experience
โ Yes
Extensive experience teaching, training, and mentoring professionals in OBM and performance management, including serving as Director of Continuing Education, university professor, and instructional designer. Has developed and delivered hundreds of professional trainings, workshops, and CE courses on OBM, reinforcement systems, leadership behavior, and ethical performance management for behavior analysts and organizational leaders.
Objectives
Identify common errors made by leaders when selecting potential reinforcers for staff
Determine the role of non-contingent reinforcement in business and the issues associated with it
Identify issues related to asking staff about their potential reinforcers and strategies for overcoming those issues
Determine what CARE (Daniels & Bailey, 2014) stands for when selecting potential reinforcers
Identify the number and outcomes of current non-monetary reinforcer studies in ABA/OBM literature
Select reasons that leaders should consider using non-monetary reinforcers in the workplace
Differentiate between examples of social, tangible, work-related, engineered, and monetary reinforcers
Determine appropriate preference assessment strategies, including how and how often preferences should be assessed
Select the steps of the Task Enjoyment Motivation Protocol and other strategies for increasing enjoyment of work beyond contrived reinforcers
