Regardless of your profession, mastering specific skills is crucial to excelling at your job. Educational programs and training courses typically focus on imparting the fundamental skills and knowledge needed to pass exams, obtain certifications, and perform essential tasks. However, they often don't cover how to continually refine and enhance the broader skills that can make you exceptional in your field. 

You may not always realize which non-technical skills will be essential for excelling in your profession until you are actively working in your field of expertise. As you grow into your role, you may discover that certain soft skills or techniques are key to setting yourself apart from your colleagues. These skills are learned behaviors—not innate abilities—though some individuals may appear to master them more effortlessly than others. That’s where we come in. Let's illustrate this further with an example.
 

A story about Mike (Client identity remains confidential)

Mike had always been passionate about practicing law. Graduating at the top of his class, he landed a position at a prestigious law firm right out of school. As an associate trial attorney, he could craft a compelling legal brief in no time, effortlessly dismantling opposing arguments with a few keystrokes. He exceeded all expectations, meeting and surpassing billable hour requirements while maintaining great relationships with his peers. It seemed like nothing could stand in the way of his path to becoming a partner.

However, when Mike was given his first motion to argue in court, everything changed. As he stood before the judge, he froze, unable to speak. Overcome with fear, he struggled to get his first word out. This was a new experience for him; he had never felt such anxiety during mock trials or class presentations in law school. He was shaking, sweating, and forgot parts of his argument. His once bright future as a partner now seemed uncertain.

After several similar episodes, Mike decided to seek help from a behavior analyst (BA), recommended by a friend he met at a conference. The BA had an initial meeting with Mike, which felt like a casual conversation with a few questions sprinkled in. She explained her next steps, including attending a few of his court hearings to observe.

Following these observations, the BA met with Mike again in private. Unknown to Mike, she had been meticulously gathering data during the hearings, which she now presented in clear, easy-to-read graphs. She explained her findings, identified potential issues, and outlined a comprehensive plan to address them. Mike was surprised by the BA's thoroughness; he had assumed behavior analysts were like clinical psychologists or social workers who mainly listened. Instead, the BA had developed a detailed strategy, and they immediately began implementing it.

The BA's plan included adjustments to Mike's pre-hearing and in-hearing behaviors, which improved over the next three hearings until it was no longer an issue. Mike discovered that certain environmental factors and his own unnoticed behaviors were affecting his court performance. With the BA's guidance, Mike not only overcame his courtroom struggles but eventually made partner. He continues to seek the BA's advice for performance-related improvements to this day, grateful for the transformative impact on his career.

Countless individuals, like Mike, could benefit from support in various aspects of their daily lives, both at work and at home. The applications of behavior analytics are vast and diverse; far too numerous to list here. By speaking with you, we will seek to understand your specific goals and identify the key behaviors that might need adjustment to help you succeed.