Steven M. Byers

Based in the Pacific Northwest, Steve Byers is an interdependent consultant and trusted advisor who works with leaders, leadership teams, organizations and other communities seeking to establish or renew their essential conversation.  He focuses on helping human systems think, learn, and work together - better.

Steve is a graduate of the Organization Systems Renewal (OSR) program at Seattle University, where he learned to design and lead significant change through collaborative relationships. His recent work has included designing and hosting meaningful conversations in culturally diverse communities and organizations on such topics as employment and recreation for people with disabilities, access to health care in rural communities, strengthening families to prevent child abuse and neglect, social determinants of health in immigrant communities, and racism and fair policing. He helps teams in organizations improve their communication and thinking skills, and address conflict, thus increasing productivity and raising morale. In Olympia he hosts the monthly (since July 2007) First Wednesday Conversation about leadership, systems intelligence, and inquiry.

He is an instructor for Leadership Eastside, a non-profit organization training public sector leaders. Steve’s courses and workshops are highly interactive and designed so that participants recognize their own deep wisdom as they learn. He coaches leaders and leadership teams, sometimes via “Kayak Conversations.”

Before developing his practice as consultant, Steve worked in the private sector as a quality manager, informed by W. Edwards Deming’s System of Profound Knowledge.

Steve is a trainer for the Art of Hosting and the Art of Participatory Leadership. He is also deeply committed to Authentic Leadership in Action as a designer of regional events and a leader of a community of practice.

Steve is a life-long learner. Recent learning experiences include “The Buddha Walks into a Bar” with Lodro Rinzler, “Courageous Conversations” with Hugh O’Doherty, “Powers of Leadership” retreat at the Whidbey Institute at Chinook, “The Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter,” the Center for Ethical Leadership’s “Gracious Space” workshop, multiple Authentic Leadership in Action (ALIA) Summer Leadership Intensives, and David Whyte’s “Conversational Leadership.”

When Steve and his wife, Janet, aren’t working, they can be found paddling kayaks, tending their large Olympia garden, staying fit at the gym, or being in the moment with grandchildren Tesla le Tigre, Lucy, and Leo.