Posted 1 day ago Author: 3 Pie Squared Marketing Team

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Dr. Paul Gavoni

Aligning Leadership with Values: Behavioral Intelligence in ABA with Dr. Paul Gavoni

In the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), leadership and organizational culture play a critical role in the success of practices. In our latest episode of 3 Pie Squared - ABA Business Leaders, we had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Paul Gavoni (Dr. Paulie Gloves), a renowned expert in Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) and Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT). Dr. Gavoni brings decades of experience in education, human services, and even combat sports, where he has mastered the art of aligning leadership strategies with core values to foster meaningful change and sustainable growth.

Embedding Values into Leadership

Dr. Gavoni emphasizes the importance of defining and embedding organizational values into every layer of an ABA practice. He introduces the concept of the Behavioral Alignment Compass, a practical framework designed to help leaders align daily operations with their core values. According to Dr. Gavoni, values should not be empty slogans on a wall but actionable principles measured through specific goals and key performance indicators (KPIs). This alignment ensures consistency in client care, staff support, and overall organizational success.

Overcoming Challenges in ABA Practices

One major challenge for ABA business owners is maintaining staff engagement and reducing turnover. Dr. Gavoni highlights that employee burnout often stems from a lack of positive reinforcement and misaligned systems. To address this, leaders must design systems that deliver consistent positive reinforcement for value-driven behaviors. This not only improves staff morale but also ensures the delivery of high-quality client services.

Dr. Gavoni also underscores the difference between being a skilled clinician and an effective business owner. Many ABA practitioners struggle with scaling their practice because they lack the systems and leadership skills needed to manage growth. Integrating OBM principles allows for the development of systems that support staff performance, foster leadership at all levels, and drive sustainable growth.

Applying OBM and ACT in Leadership

By combining OBM strategies with ACT principles, Dr. Gavoni provides actionable insights into how leaders can stay aligned with their values. He encourages setting clear, measurable goals that reflect these values and using data to track progress. This method ensures that behaviors within the organization are consistently producing valued outcomes, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

About Dr. Paul Gavoni

Dr. Paul Gavoni, Ed.D, BCBA-D, is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author, leadership consultant, and former Golden Gloves heavyweight champion. Known as Coach Paulie Gloves in the combat sports world, he has dedicated his career to applying behavior analysis to improve performance across diverse industries. His work in OBM and ACT empowers organizations to create systems that align with their values and achieve meaningful results.