College of PHHP

Daniels recognized for bringing behavioral psychology to the workplace

Aubrey Daniels, Ph.D., a pioneer in applying the principles of behavioral psychology in the workplace and best selling author of management books, has been named the College of Public Health and Health Professions’ alumnus of the year.
After receiving his undergraduate degree, a tough job market led Daniels to graduate studies at UF, where he earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in clinical and health psychology in 1963 and 1965, respectively. As a UF student, Daniels was influenced by the behavior modification techniques he learned from faculty members Nathan Perry, Hugh Davis and Bill Wolking. Behavioral psychology demonstrates that an individual’s human behavior is governed by the consequences of his or her actions.

As the head of psychology for Georgia Regional Hospital in Atlanta in the late ’60s, Daniels designed a token system that rewarded patients with prizes for exhibiting desired behaviors. His program resulted in a significant drop in the return rate of discharged patients — 11 percent at his facility compared to more than 70 percent in Georgia’s other mental health facilities.

Daniels then decided to apply these strategies to a different setting — the workplace. He founded Aubrey Daniels International (ADI), a management consulting firm, in 1978.

Based in Atlanta, ADI helps prepare leaders to solve problems in productivity, quality, cost and morale by utilizing behavioral principles and techniques. Specifically, they help companies build leaders who cultivate profitable habits by consistently pinpointing, measuring and reinforcing the work behaviors vital to achieving sustainable business success. ADI’s clients include high-profile corporations like Duke Energy, Dollar General, State Farm, M&T Bank, ChevronTexaco, and NASA.
Daniels has written three books on management practices, including the classic best seller on performance management, “Bringing out the Best in People,” originally published in 1994 and updated in 1999.