In this episode of Direct Application, host Matt Harrington breaks down one of the most practical frameworks for high-performance teamwork: the Help/Hinder list — a simple, powerful first agreement that sets the foundation for trust, accountability, and inclusive excellence.
Drawing from his blog “Help or Hinder: The First Agreement of Every Great Team” and decades of facilitation experience, Matt explores how to structure teams for success, not just assemble them.
If your team’s charter defines the “why” and “what,” then this episode dives into the how: the everyday behaviors, agreements, and cultural norms that turn a group of people into a true team. Matt breaks down how simple, shared protocols like a Help/Hinder List can transform meetings, improve accountability, and create environments where every voice is valued.
🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch on YouTube
👉 Based on the blog: Help or Hinder: The First Agreement of Every Great Team
In this reflective episode, Matt looks back on his early experiences learning about teamwork alongside his late mother and mentor, Deborah Mackin, a leader in building high-performance, team-based cultures.Matt shares how Deb often began her work with Fortune 500 companies by trying to convince them not to implement teams (the opposite of why they called on her). Her reasoning was straightforward: “The biggest thing about teaming, and the reason I’m trying to convince you not to do it, is because it requires full commitment from leadership to truly change the culture.”This episode explores why teaming isn’t a short-term solution but a sustained practice that depends on consistent leadership behavior. Matt outlines what real leadership commitment looks like—clarifying purpose, investing in people, modeling collaboration, and recognizing progress along the way.Also check out this post by Matt: https://www.harringtonbrands.com/theblog/2025/9/29/leaderships-long-game-why-top-commitment-is-the-bedrock-of-high-performance-teams
An Interview with Cat O’Shaughnessy Coffrin on Direct Application with Matt Harrington
What does it really mean to be authentic at work - without oversharing, burning out, or losing your leadership credibility?
In this episode of Direct Application, host Matt Harrington sits down with Cat O’Shaughnessy Coffrin — executive communications strategist, founder of CaptivatingCo. She has partnered with global brands like Bayer, Starbucks, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - guiding executives, founders, and C-suites through brand positioning, internal comms, and leadership storytelling.
She’s also a published thought leader, with bylines or features in Fast Company, Business Insider, The Business Journals, Medium, and more —where she unpacks the human side of leadership, communication, and culture.
Together, they explore:
Cat shares her journey of building a consulting business while navigating divorce, grief, and reinvention - and how radical honesty on LinkedIn helped her grow her audience from 5,000 to 17,000 in under a year.
Whether you're a CEO, team lead, HR professional, or rising talent, this conversation unpacks how to own your voice without losing your seat at the table.
📝 Resources mentioned in the show: https://www.captivatingco.com/tipsandtools/free-resources-writing-prompts-amp-writing-calendar
🎧 Available on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your leadership content.
#AuthenticityAtWork #LeadershipPodcast #CatCofflin #ExecutiveCommunications #PersonalBrand #DirectApplication #FearlessLeadership #LinkedInGrowth #AuthenticLeadership #MillennialLeadership #GenZWorkplace
In this quick episode, I add to a recent post I did on speed versus momentum.
Speed gets you started, but momentum keeps you going. Discover how to show early wins, sustain long-term results, and lead your team with clarity and purpose in a world obsessed with moving fast.
5 Questions we should be asking our teams is this speed or momentum:
1). What’s driving this push? Are we responding to the tyranny of the urgent (stakeholder optics, deadlines, short-term pressures), or are we aligned with our long-term strategic vision?
2). Are we showing progress or just movement? Can we point to small wins that build toward the larger goal, or are we just moving fast without creating sustainable traction?
3). Do we have the energy to sustain this pace? If conditions shift tomorrow, can our team continue at this level—or are we sprinting in a way that risks burnout and breakdown?
4). Is communication keeping up with our actions? Are we telling the story of progress—helping people feel the momentum—or are we moving so fast that clarity and connection are getting lost?
5). What does success look like in six months? In six years? Does our current approach position us to win just the quarter, or are we building momentum that will still matter in the long run?
Also read my previous post: https://www.harringtonbrands.com/theblog/2025/9/20/speed-momentum-and-the-20-mile-march
Conflict in teams isn’t something to fear—it’s a sign of growth. In this episode, Matt Harrington unpacks Bruce Tuckman’s famous storming stage of team development and explains why conflict is not only natural but necessary. Healthy disagreement signals that a team is maturing, moving beyond surface-level cooperation, and learning to navigate real challenges together.
Matt also explores how innovation depends on conflict. True creativity comes from diverse perspectives, differing opinions, and even controversial ideas clashing to spark new solutions. Without conflict, teams risk settling into groupthink and missing opportunities for breakthrough innovation.
Whether you lead a workplace team, manage volunteers, or collaborate across sectors, this episode will help you reframe conflict as a catalyst for trust, growth, and high performance.
Ever tried putting together a baby crib (or any piece of furniture) without the instructions? Frustrating, confusing, and usually ending with extra screws left over. That’s exactly what it feels like when we ask our teams to perform without clear guidelines, purpose, and structure.
In this episode of Direct Application, Matt Harrington dives deeper into the concept of the Team Charter - the roadmap that keeps teams aligned, accountable, and moving toward high performance. Matt explains why teams get stuck in confusion and conflict, and how a well-crafted charter clarifies mission, roles, decision-making, and expectations.
If you’re leading a board, committee, project team, or organization, this episode will give you practical insight into how to design a framework for trust, accountability, and results.
In this episode of Direct Application, host Matt Harrington sits down with Chuck Hollingsworth - Director of Engineering at Keurig Dr Pepper and a 40-year veteran of manufacturing leadership - for a front-line look at what it really takes to lead through massive change, scale innovation, and build a workforce ready for the future.
Chuck shares behind-the-scenes insights from launching one of KDP’s most ambitious projects yet: a $600M+ state-of-the-art beverage facility in South Carolina, capable of producing 1 million K-Cups per hour.
Together, Matt and Chuck explore:
✅ The challenges and breakthroughs of building high-performance teams from scratch
✅ How to lead culture change in the age of instant results and digital-native workers
✅ The balance between tech adoption, trust, and autonomy on the manufacturing floor
✅ What leaders can actually do to design workplaces that work—for people and performance
✅ And Chuck’s honest reflections on what he’d do differently if he had to do it all again
Whether you're in operations, HR, leadership, or simply navigating change in your organization - this episode offers tactical insight and timeless lessons.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere you stream.
📺 Watch the full video interview on YouTube.
What makes a great team truly powerful? In this episode of Direct Application, Matt Harrington explores the Power of Teams—why teamwork is more than just working side by side, and how the right dynamics create results far greater than the sum of the parts.💡 Key insights you’ll take away:Every team balances task, process, and relationship dynamics—and teaming strengthens the relationship element.True teaming is synergistic: 1 plus 1 greater than 2. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.Teaming is a mindset and a vehicle for success—not the end goal itself.Strong teams are 7–12 diverse members, blending complementary talents that spark both conflict and innovation.Conflict arises when teams lose their shared goal, approach, or clarity of roles.High-performing teams rely on peer accountability, not just supervisors, to resolve challenges and move forward.👉 Want to dive deeper? Read Matt’s full blog post: The Power of Teams: More Than the Sum of Their Parts: https://www.harringtonbrands.com/theblog/2025/8/24/the-power-of-teams-more-than-the-sum-of-their-partsIf you’re leading, building, or coaching a team, this episode will give you practical tools to unlock collaboration, manage conflict, and harness synergy in your workplace or community.#Leadership #Teamwork #PowerOfTeams #DirectApplication
In this solo episode of Direct Application, Matt Harrington explores the power of catalytic leadership - leaders who spark transformation, align communities, and create momentum when it matters most. Drawing inspiration from Tom Dee, outgoing CEO of Southwestern Vermont Health Care, Matt highlights real examples like the Healthy Homes initiative and the Putnam Block Redevelopment that reshaped downtown Bennington.Matt also draws Collins' Level 5 Leadership and Flywheel, Yeager's Mentor Mindset, & high performance teamingYou’ll also hear:- What is catalytic leadership?- Why urgency often undermines transformation- Practical lessons for leaders facing disruptionDirect Application Moment - Do this week:Pick two people outside your immediate silo — colleagues in another department, a partner organization, or even peers in your industry.Call them with a catalytic question:“What’s one idea you’ve been sitting on that could make a difference if others joined you?”“What would you try if the risk was shared?”Your role is not to solve, but to spark. Listen, affirm, and connect dots. End by offering:“Let me connect you with ___.”“I’ll bring this up at our next leadership table.”Or simply: “Let’s keep this alive together.”👉 Subscribe for more episodes of Direct Application where leadership theory meets real-world practice.Read more about Catalytic Leadership here: https://www.harringtonbrands.com/theblog/2025/8/17/why-the-world-needs-catalytic-leaders
Welcome to Episode 8 of Direct Application. In this solo episode Matt Harrington shares his best public speaking strategies - whether you’re in a boardroom, on a stage, or sharing a vision with your team.Based on years of speaking to audiences large and small—from chambers of commerce to boardrooms to conferences — Matt reveals the practical techniques that make all the difference between surviving and thriving in front of an audience.And here’s the truth: public speaking isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being prepared, personal, and present.Check out more tips here: https://www.harringtonbrands.com/theblog/2025/8/3/harringtons-top-tips-tricks-and-tactics-for-public-speaking
Welcome to the inaugural interview episode of Direct Application, the podcast where leadership theory meets Monday morning reality. Hosted by Matt Harrington, this show explores how to turn good leadership ideas into better workplaces.In this episode, Matt sits down with Karin Tierney, a seasoned HR consultant with over 25 years of experience in leadership development, organizational culture, and fractional HR. Together, they explore:✅ Why listening is the most underused leadership skill✅ How emotional intelligence and adaptability define today’s best leaders✅ What’s changed in the employee-employer relationship post-COVID✅ Why HR isn’t one-size-fits-all—and never should be✅ The importance of setting boundaries and finding cultural fit✅ Karin’s perspective on workplace burnout, “family culture,” and doing HR your own wayWhether you’re a CEO, HR leader, or people manager, this episode will leave you with actionable insights you can apply on Monday morning.🔁 Share, subscribe, and follow for new interview episodes every month.📍 Learn more: www.HarringtonBrands.com
In this Solo Blogcast episode of Direct Application, Matt Harrington unpacks the underestimated power of surveys during strategic planning.Too often, surveys become checkbox exercises - sent out, ignored, and forgotten. But when done right, surveys become powerful trust-building tools that surface real insights and show your stakeholders that their voices matter.This episode dives into the leadership mindset behind meaningful surveying and gives you a checklist to ensure your survey efforts actually drive decisions and build credibility.🎯 Key Takeaways:- Surveys are listening tools, not PR exercises. Only ask what you're willing to act on or respond to.- Feedback is a gift. Even when it’s hard to hear, it's essential to improvement and alignment.- Close the loop. People will only keep sharing if they see that their voice had impact.- Ask before you ask. Are we ready for tough truths? Are we gathering data or just checking a box?- Build trust through transparency. Surveying the right way helps leaders show up as open, curious, and responsive.Whether you’re leading a nonprofit, business, or community organization, this episode offers a practical framework for survey design that actually moves your organization forward.🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts🔗 More tools + blog post at: www.HarringtonBrands.com
In this Solo Blogcast episode of Direct Application, host Matt Harrington revisits the classic SWOT analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats - but with a modern, practical twist. If your SWOTs feel like checkbox exercises or dusty whiteboard sessions, it’s time for a refresh.
Matt shares:
Strategic planning starts with what’s real. Learn how to use SWOT not just as a tool, but as a trust-building, alignment-driving moment of discovery.
#SWOTAnalysis #StrategicPlanning #LeadershipTools #DirectApplicationPodcast
In this episode of Direct Application, host Matt Harrington dives into the human dynamics of change. Whether you're launching a new vision, strategic plan, or organizational shift, how people respond matters just as much as the change itself. Learn the three core groups you’ll face: the energized Change Champions, the cautious Bystanders, and the disruptive Toxic Few (or Resistors).Matt shares practical leadership insights on how to stop wasting time on the resistors and instead win over the middle majority using a clear, compelling Case for Change. Packed with real-world application, this solo blogcast offers tools to help leaders communicate change with confidence, clarity, and momentum.🎧 Perfect for: CEOs, managers, change agents, and HR pros navigating organizational transformationLearn more and watch all episodes at: https://www.harringtonbrands.com/direct-application-podcast
In this episode of Direct Application, Matt Harrington breaks down the One Page Strategy (OPS) - a simple but powerful tool to turn big ideas into real action. If your strategic vision has ever stalled after a board meeting or team presentation, it might not be the idea - it might be how you're delivering (or showcasing) your idea.
Discover how to craft a compelling OPS with just five parts:
✔ Mission
✔ Vision
✔ Strategic Pillars
✔ SMART Goals
✔ Key Initiatives
Learn why OPS creates clarity, accountability, and team-wide buy-in without the overwhelm of a bulky strategic plan. Perfect for leaders, nonprofit directors, small business owners, and entrepreneurs looking to energize their team and move from strategy to execution.
🎧 Subscribe for more actionable leadership insights every week!
#LeadershipStrategy #OnePagePlan #VisionToAction #SMARTGoals #DirectApplication #MattHarrington #StrategicPlanning #TeamAlignment #NonprofitLeadership #SmallBusinessGrowth
In this Solocast episode of Direct Application, host Matt Harrington breaks down a powerful leadership concept called the “Get Family” — four essential personalities you’ll find on every team or board: Get It Done, Get It Right, Get Along, and Get Appreciated.Whether you're leading a staff meeting, managing a board retreat, or trying to strengthen your team dynamics, this quick leadership lesson will help you better understand how to identify and honor different work styles—and how to help them function together in harmony.🎯 What You’ll Learn:- The 4 personality types found on most teams- How each style contributes (and sometimes clashes)- Why strong teams need all four types to succeed- A practical takeaway you can apply immediately🎙 Direct Application is a leadership vlog and podcast where we turn leadership theory into Monday-morning action—leading with both head and heart.🔗 Learn more: https://www.harringtonbrands.com/direct-application-podcast📍 Available on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts.#LeadershipDevelopment #TeamDynamics #DirectApplication #MattHarrington #LeadershipPodcast #WorkplaceCulture #BoardLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #Communication #HarringtonBrands
Welcome to the first episode of Direct Application, a leadership podcast and vlog hosted by Matt Harrington - author, speaker, facilitator, and founder of Harrington Brands.
This launch episode lays the foundation for what Direct Application is all about: turning leadership ideas into real, actionable tools. Because leadership shouldn’t just inspire - it should work.
In this episode, Matt shares the story behind the podcast and outlines what listeners can expect moving forward. He explores how the intersection of head and heart can shape better leaders and stronger teams.
You’ll also learn about the two show formats:
Interview Episodes with thought leaders, HR professionals, and changemakers, focused on what’s working in real-world leadership
Solo BlogCasts, short episodes drawn from Matt’s weekly blog, packed with quick insights for immediate application
Whether you're a CEO, nonprofit director, HR leader, or team manager, this podcast is designed to offer practical leadership tools that make a difference.
Subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.
For more resources, visit www.HarringtonBrands.com
#LeadershipPodcast #DirectApplication #MattHarrington #HarringtonBrands #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamBuilding #LeadWithPurpose #OrganizationalCulture
