This comparison draws in part from “5 Critical Values for Leaders to Embrace— Self-reflection, Humility, Courage, Compassion, and Integrity” by Tyra Sellers, JD, PhD, BCBA-D (BehaviorLive), and extends it with peer-reviewed research from our library of 27,900+ ABA research articles. The decision framework, BACB ethics code references, and cross-links below are synthesized by Behaviorist Book Club.
View the original presentation →One of the most consequential decisions a behavior analyst makes is not just what intervention to use, but how to approach the clinical question in the first place. For 5 critical values for leaders to embrace— self-reflection, humility, courage, compassion, and integrity, the difference between an evidence-based, individualized approach and a traditional, protocol-driven one can significantly impact outcomes.
This guide lays out the key factors side by side to support your clinical decision-making.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Impact on supervisee skill acquisition | Technical skills: Directly determine whether the training approach used (BST, observation, feedback protocols) matches evidence-based methods for skill development | Leadership values: Determine whether supervisees are psychologically safe enough to attempt new skills, acknowledge errors, and seek help — which is prerequisite to technical learning |
| Response to supervisee errors | Technical skills: Provide the methods (behavior-specific feedback, corrective instruction, modeling) for addressing performance deficits | Leadership values: Determine whether feedback is delivered with the compassion and courage that allows supervisees to receive and act on it rather than becoming defensive |
| Consistency over time | Technical skills: Can be applied consistently if the supervisor has strong procedural knowledge, but consistency requires motivation and self-monitoring | Leadership values: Integrity — consistency between stated values and operative contingencies — is the primary driver of supervisory reliability across situations and supervisees |
| Organizational culture impact | Technical skills: Shape the quality of individual supervision interactions; limited direct impact on team culture or organizational climate | Leadership values: Propagate through observation and modeling; supervisors who demonstrably enact humility, compassion, and integrity shape the values of the practitioners they supervise |
| Trainability through formal education | Technical skills: Directly addressed in BACB coursework requirements, competency assessments, and supervision training curricula | Leadership values: Rarely explicitly targeted in formal ABA training; typically developed through personal experience, mentorship, and deliberate reflection rather than structured curriculum |
| Ethics Code alignment | Technical skills: Required by specific BACB Ethics Code provisions (e.g., Section 4.05-4.07) regarding evidence-based supervision methods | Leadership values: Underlies general ethical obligations (Sections 1.04, 1.05, 4.06) regarding integrity, consideration of individual circumstances, and quality of feedback delivery |
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ on-demand CEUs including ethics, supervision, and clinical topics like this one. Plus a new live CEU every Wednesday.
Use this framework when approaching 5 critical values for leaders to embrace— self-reflection, humility, courage, compassion, and integrity in your practice:
Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?
YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor
A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.
YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first
Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.
YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making
This course covers the clinical and ethical dimensions in detail with structured learning objectives and CEU credit.
5 Critical Values for Leaders to Embrace— Self-reflection, Humility, Courage, Compassion, and Integrity — Tyra Sellers · 1.5 BACB Supervision CEUs · $15
Take This Course →We extended this decision guide with research from our library — dig into the peer-reviewed studies behind each approach, in plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
244 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1.5 BACB Supervision CEUs · $15 · BehaviorLive
Research-backed educational guide
Research-backed answers for behavior analysts
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All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.