Eric Svaren - A Trained Eye

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Eric Svaren coaches executives, as well as senior and emerging leaders, in business, tech, health care, research, higher education, government, associations, and NGOs. He is also an organization development (OD) consultant, serving local, national, and international clients.

He teaches Leadership in Action for the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington. Eric is also a developmental leadership coach for Global Leadership Associates in the United Kingdom.

With students and clients, he focuses on the practical application of theories and models to pressing leadership, organizational, and societal problems. He draws on research and writing on adult development theory, adaptive leadership, team dynamics, culture, equity, engagement, adult learning, and polarity management.

Eric served in internal roles supporting clinical operations in a national cancer center, staffing a Seattle city council member, and running a joint labor-management program.

He earned his Master’s degree in sociology at UW, with concentrations in social psychology and organizational sociology. He also holds certifications in many coaching and OD methods and instruments.

A Quote From This Episode

• "Leadership is all around us, but most of the time, we're not recognizing it. And that leadership is usually "Little L" leadership. It's not broadcast, it's not announced, and it doesn't have a marquee like a movie theater; it’s something that is happening very subtly, and it takes a trained eye to notice it. And one of the things I'd like to leave my students with is that trained eye."

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

• Infographic: Technical Problems vs. Adaptive Challenges by Svaren
• Article: The Principles of little 'L' leadership by Svaren
• Books:  The Wager, Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
• Book: The Secret Hours by Mick Herron

About The International Leadership Association (ILA)

• The ILA was created in 1999 to bring together professionals interested in studying, practicing, and teaching leadership. Plan for ILA's 26th Global Conference in Chicago, IL - November 7-10, 2024. 

About The Boler College of Business at John Carroll University

• Boler offers four MBA programs – 1 Year Flexible, Hybrid, Online, and Professional. Each track offers flexible timelines and various class structure options (online, in-person, hybrid, asynchronous). Boler’s tech core and international study tour opportunities set these MBA programs apart. Rankings highlighted in the intro are taken from CEO Magazine.

About  Scott J. Allen

• Website
• Weekly Newsletter: The Leader's Edge

My Approach to Hosting

• The views of my guests do not constitute "truth." Nor do they reflect my personal views in some instances. However, they are views to consider, and I hope they help you clarify your perspective. Nothing can replace your reflection, research, and exploration of the topic.