Eric Svaren
Team rescue, influence leadership, coach

Groupsmith, Inc.

Websites:

• Groupsmith website
• Influence Leader blog
• Eric's LinkedIn profile

Eric is founder and principal of Groupsmith, a Seattle-based firm specializing in team rescue, influence leadership and coaching. He helps people get traction--by resolving conflict, clarifying strategy, strengthening trust, and improving communication. He works with individuals, teams and entire organizations achieve breakthrough results. Eric is particularly known for his creative application of the latest research and theory. A master facilitator, Eric also designs and facilitates retreats and off-sites.

In addition to his consulting and facilitation work, Eric teaches mid-career professionals for the Cascade Center for Public Service and the Executive Masters of Public Affairs program both at the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs at the University of Washington. He teaches unique workshops on influence leadership and building high performance teams.

• Influence leadership development (leading when you're not in charge)

• Team rescue (teambuilding/troubleshooting)

• Executive and manager coaching

Eric earned his Master's Degree in organizational sociology and social psychology from the University of Washington. He has his Bachelor's degree in sociology from Portland State University.

Eric has also participated in dozens of professional development workshops to "sharpen the saw," including "Executive Coaching: Theories and Concepts and Executive Coaching: Skill Building in the 4 Phase Method" (MBO Consulting, 2007), "Process Work Group Facilitation Training" (The Process Work Institute, 2006), "Appreciative Inquiry: Exploring and Engaging the Positive Core" (Steve Cato & Peggy Holman, 2005), "Crucial Conversations Trainer Certification" (VitalSmarts, 2005), "Crucial Conversations Mastery Workshop" (VitalSmarts, 2004), "T-Group Pre-Conference Intensive" (NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Sciences, 2003), "Power of Dialogue Facilitator Training" (Public Conversations Project, 2003), "Multi-Party Mediation" (Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) Institute, 2002), "Mediator Training" (King County InterLocal Conflict Resolution Group, 2001), "How to Teach What You Know" (Learning by Dialogue, 2000), "Facilitating and Managing Complex System Change" (NTL Institute for Applied Behavioral Sciences, 1999), "NOVA Institute for Facilitative Leadership" (City of Seattle, 1995-96), "Managing a Future Search Conference" (SearchNet, 1994), "Group Facilitation Methods" (Institute for Cultural Affairs, 1994), "Leadership Effectiveness in Team Environments" (Effectiveness Dimensions, 1993), "Leadership Redmond" (Redmond Chamber of Commerce, 1990-91)

Eric's clients include Johnson & Johnson, Housing Resources Group, the State of Washington, University of Washington, Washington State University, Sound Transit, the Port of Seattle, Safeco, Unitus, NPower, Eddie Bauer, and the cities of Seattle, Redmond and Bellevue--as well as dozens of other companies, and non-profit and government agencies. He has also presented at dozens of conferences, such as the National Labor Management Conference, the Housing Washington conference, and the Public Sector Performance Conference.

Before launching Groupsmith in 2000, Svaren managed a joint labor-management program for the City of Seattle designed to increase employee participation in the improvement of service delivery. He also worked as a public policy analyst for Seattle city councilmember Tom Weeks and city departments, and as a human services planner for a regional nonprofit.