Groupsmith provides organization development consulting — including facilitation, coaching, conflict resolution, team building, change management, influence training, and leadership development. Based in Seattle, we help companies, non-profits and government agencies with a wide variety of challenges — such as performance problems, team conflict, resistance to change, strategic confusion, and communication problems. In addition, we coach leaders and managers to achieve peak performance, as well as provide expert facilitation of all kinds of meetings, retreats and decision processes. Our acclaimed training workshops include "Dangerous Decisions" and "Leading without Authority." Please browse our website to learn more about how we can help you. If you have any questions, please contact Eric Svaren at 206-352-2400.

Does your team go over topics and decisions again and again? Are people locked in conflict with one another? Are people failing to take initiative? Does it take forever to get things going? Are people resentful, guarded, or underperforming? Or, are you facing a significant challenge and wondering if your team is up to the task?

Performance requires real teamwork.

Real teamwork involves clear objectives, constant innovation, and effective problem-solving. Information, ideas and feedback flow freely so that people can make sound decisions and take the right actions. People feel safe. They pull together and focus on producing business results.

There's a lot that can go wrong.

Does this sound familiar? You can't agree on what's most important. Your people resist change. Your roles and expectations are vague or confused. Maybe you have the wrong people at the table. Your team got off on the wrong foot. Or, your group has not agreed on how decisions are to be made. Still worse, perhaps trust and respect are in tatters. And, some of your people may have sub par technical or interpersonal skills.

Get back on track

1. Identify the business results you want. What must you, your people, the organization achieve?
2. Identify the behaviors to change. What specific actions do people need to start doing and stop doing to get those business results?
3. Look underneath the surface. What are underlying issues or patterns that are producing the behaviors you see? Are people working from mutually understood expectations? What is the level of trust? Are people stuck in a "vicious cycles"? Do people have adequate interpersonal and communications skills?
4. Address and resolve these underlying issues and patterns. Do you need to provide coaching to certain people, arrange for a frank conversation to clear the air, or help build people's technical or interpersonal skills? In some situations, you might even reveal the dynamics and patterns you see.
5. Track your progress toward your business objectives and adjust your strategy as needed.

A pragmatic approach

Eric Svaren draws on years of experience and the latest research into best practices —not "touchy-feely" exercises—to help you get traction. He is founder and principal of Groupsmith, a Seattle-based firm specializing in helping managers and employees who are stuck—by focusing the group on the right issue and strengthening respect, trust and commitment in groups. He works with teams, workgroups, and organizations of all sizes. If you're ready for more traction, call Eric at 206-352-2400. He'll be happy to discuss your situation on the phone at no charge.