Dr. Ellie Kazemi
Dr. Ellie Kazemi has devoted her career to supporting supervisors and leaders. She merges behavioral science, advanced digital technology, and data-based decision-making with her years of experience working with leadership to promote strong organizational cultures, effective supervision strategies, and practical and efficient workforce training.
She has worked on several large nationwide projects (e.g., with FEMA and NASA) focusing on effective training and behavioral outcomes. She currently wears multiple hats. She is a tenure-track professor at CSUN, where she founded the M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis program and where she is also the Director of AI/VXR Initiatives for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
She is the founder and CEO of Transform VXR, a training platform she is building to make experiential learning more accessible to the public.
Presentation at the ABA International Conference 2024
Presentation:
Transformative Supervision: Enhancing Staff Performance through Targeted Interventions
Abstract:
Effective supervision of clinical staff is crucial for staff development and achieving optimal client outcomes. In this presentation I will focus on best practices for supervisors, particularly in conducting “can’t do versus won’t do” assessments to identify staff needs accurately. By differentiating between skill gaps (“can’t do”) and contingency management issues (“won’t do”), supervisors can tailor their support strategies accordingly. For staff requiring further training, behavior skills training (BST) and coaching can be employed to enhance competence and confidence.
Conversely, for those facing motivational challenges, supervisors can modify the work environment to bolster engagement and morale, utilizing strategies such as differential reinforcement, recognition, and workload adjustments. I will provide actionable insights, tools, and case examples to illustrate the implementation of these approaches, emphasizing the importance of compassionate and effective supervision. By adopting these best practices, supervisors can foster a supportive work environment that enhances staff performance and, consequently, improves treatment outcomes.