Changing Behavior, Achieving Results
Applying the Influencer Model in Consulting Interventions
Our charter to help social sector leaders and organizations influence human behavior more effectively has led the Institute to maintain a small portfolio of in-depth demonstration consulting projects. In these applications of the Influencer model, a framework popularized in the book Influencer: The New Science of Leading Change, we leverage the big ideas from various branches of social science—social psychology, behavioral economics, organizational behavior, and more—to improve the design of nonprofit organizations and their programs. We partner with organizations that demonstrate the ability to innovate, execute, and learn. There is no formal application process for entering into an Applied Influencer consulting project.
Influencing the Social Sector
Contributing Insights to Sector Dialogue about Strategy and Program Design
Most leaders and organizations overlook the behavioral connection between the programs and policies they design and the outcomes they hope to achieve. Because of this, many well-intentioned programs fail and many resources are wasted. To help the social sector achieve new levels of efficacy, Influencer Institute staff and board members participate in panel discussions, roundtables, thought leadership groups, and also provide keynote speeches and presentations for various events.
Albert Bandura Influencer Award
Celebrating Outstanding Individual Influencers
On an annual basis, Influencer Institute awards the Albert Bandura Influencer Award to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to personal, social, or organization well-being through novel applications of social science that advance the world’s capacity to solve important problems.
The award honors and is named after its first recipient, Dr. Albert Bandura. Dr. Bandura received the award in 2010 for his foundational contribution to the field of human change. During his 60-year career as a psychology professor at Stanford University, Dr. Bandura substantially advanced the world’s understanding of human behavior while promoting applications of his theories to problems as diverse as shy- ness, phobias, personal wellness, addiction recovery, and large-scale social change. His work has been instrumental in improving the lives of millions and has profoundly af- fected the entire field of psychology. He is widely recognized as the originator of social learning theory and the theory of self-efficacy—which demonstrates that people can alter their behavior to achieve their goals.
Each year, a selection committee comprised of former award recipients, leaders, and prominent social scientists reviews the work of each nominee and selects the winning candidate. Winners receive a $10,000 cash award and are recognized publicly for their lifetime achievements by the Influencer Institute.
View a list of past recipients of the Albert Bandura Influencer Award
Applied Influencer Awards
Encouraging Emerging Influencers
The Applied Influencer Award honors organizations and individuals who have deliberately applied the Influencer model to create significant changes within their organization, community, or beyond. These awards highlight the potential that every person has to improve the world through effective influence.
Submit a nomination for an Applied Influencer Award
View a list of Applied Influencer Award recipients
Note: A person need not have attended training or purchased any VitalSmarts products or services to be nominated for or to receive an Applied Influencer Award.
Not-for-Profit Training Grant Program
Increasing Access to Capacity-building for Qualifying Nonprofits
Influencer Institute administers a grant program through which VitalSmarts, a training and development company, donates training materials, on a limited annual basis, to qualifying nonprofit organizations, which would otherwise not be able to access high quality training.
Read more about the Training Grant Program and apply for a Training Grant