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About Eric

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Eric Swenson is a nationally recognized expert on leadership, culture, and the modern workforce. For more than two decades, he has advised organizations across North America—helping leaders strengthen performance, elevate employee engagement, and build workplaces where people thrive. His insights and frameworks have guided more than 300 organizations and over 30,000 employees across nearly every industry.

Eric is the founder and CEO of Swenson Leadership Development and Symmetry HR Solutions, sister companies that provide leadership development, workforce strategy, and HR outsourcing support to small and mid-sized employers. Since 2003, these brands have delivered practical, people-centered solutions rooted in Eric’s belief that strong leadership and a healthy culture are the strongest competitive advantages in any organization.

He is the author of Managing People in the 21st Century (2004; updated edition 2020) and The 5 A’s of Great Employees (2016), which introduced his well-known argument that intangible attributes—such as attitude, aptitude, and agility—are far more predictive of success than traditional markers like education or experience. His third book, Weaknesses, will be published in 2026 and explores how authenticity, self-awareness, and vulnerability drive modern leadership.

Eric is a sought-after keynote speaker who presents on leadership, culture, workforce trends, and organizational performance. He has delivered programs for corporations, nonprofit organizations, professional associations, and national conferences, and is known for his direct, practical, and engaging style.

Before launching his companies, Eric spent 17 years in corporate leadership roles spanning sales, marketing, training, and operations. Over the course of his career, he has managed hundreds of employees and interviewed thousands of candidates—experience that continues to inform his data-driven yet deeply human approach to workforce strategy.

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Arcadia, California, Eric is an Eagle Scout and a graduate of the University of the Pacific, where he majored in English and communications and served as Student Body President of the College of the Pacific.

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