2026: University of West Virginia
West Virginia University (2026)
Behavioral Leadership
Claire St. Peter and Kathryn Kestner
Leadership is usually explained by appealing to traits, personalities, or inner qualities. This project takes a different view. “Behavioral Leadership” is a stack of microcredentials that teaches learners to view, interpret, and act in leadership situations through the lens of radical behaviorism by teaching learners to conceptualize leadership as behavior shaped and maintained by environmental contingencies rather than as a fixed internal trait.
The microcredential is built around observable, measurable performance. Rather than lecturing about behaviorism and awarding a certificate of completion, each badge requires learners to demonstrate skill by producing work products that are scored against behaviorally based rubrics. The microcredential will be designed using instructional design practices, with lessons iterated based on learner feedback and data.
The program is designed to be broadly accessible. “Leaders” are defined expansively as anyone who influences the behavior of others, and no prior training in behavior analysis is required. The primary audience includes undergraduate and graduate students, early-career professionals, educators, and practitioners. Learners receive targeted feedback designed to systematically build skills as the learner progresses through the program.
By framing leadership as a widely relevant, transferable skill, the project uses a familiar context to teach behaviorism as a philosophy of science. Grant funding supports development and pilot testing, with results to be disseminated at the 2027 ABAI convention.
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