Weekly Posts and Insights

Resilient Warrior Leader: Compassion as the Compass
Leadership, People Matthew Harrington Leadership, People Matthew Harrington

Resilient Warrior Leader: Compassion as the Compass

In this Resilient Warrior Leader post, we explore compassion as a vital internal compass for leaders navigating uncertainty and building trust. Using the L.E.A.D. framework—Look, Empathize, Acknowledge, Decide—readers are invited to slow down, pay attention, and take meaningful action rooted in empathy. The post emphasizes that compassion isn’t soft; it’s strategic, renewable, and essential for resilient, community-centered leadership.

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Mastering the Mind: Leadership Presence Through Mindfulness and the Johari Window
Matthew Harrington Matthew Harrington

Mastering the Mind: Leadership Presence Through Mindfulness and the Johari Window

In the latest installment of the Resilient Warrior Leader series, I dive into the mental terrain of leadership—where mindfulness meets the powerful framework of the Johari Window. Too often, we push through stress and call it strength. But neuroscience tells us otherwise: chronic stress shrinks our capacity to lead with clarity, empathy, and presence.

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Creating Helpfulness In Community by LEADing
People, Culture, Leadership Matthew Harrington People, Culture, Leadership Matthew Harrington

Creating Helpfulness In Community by LEADing

When we are called to provide hope, humanity, humility and helpfulness through LEADing. We must first Look around and pay attention finding moments and opportunities to empathize. Empathize by perspective taking, being non judgemental, recognizing emotion, communicating and practicing mindfulness. Acknowledge the truth of the current situation. Decide what actions need to be taken (if any).

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Being an Empathetic COVID-19 Leader
Leadership Matthew Harrington Leadership Matthew Harrington

Being an Empathetic COVID-19 Leader

I find that it’s helpful to know that there are long-studied emotional events going on in each and every one of our followers. I also believe that if we don't understand our people (staff, board, followers, volunteers, etc.), we will never truly create our own successful circumstances for [enter company, organization, relationship, cause]. If we don't understand where our people are emotionally and how to help them out, then all the finances, strategies, x-point plans, and One Page Strategies won't do a lick of good.

With over a decade of studying how humans deal with change, loss and success, here is what I lean on and hope it helps you figure out where your people are at too:

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