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