Weekly Posts and Insights
Leadership’s Long Game: Why Top Commitment is the Bedrock of High-Performance Teams
The real question for any leader isn’t “Do I believe in teams?” It’s “Am I willing to commit - day after day, year after year - to building and protecting the culture that allows them to thrive?”
Building the Workforce of the Future - Lessons in Culture, Change, and Coffee I Direct Application with Matt Harrington
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.
The One Document Every Team Should Have
High-performing teams don’t happen by accident. A team charter - your team’s roadmap - clarifies mission, goals, roles, and accountability. Drawing on insights from Lencioni, Tuckman, and Deborah Mackin, this post explores why teams stall in the storming stage and how a clear charter acts as a compass to bring them back to alignment, clarity, and results.
Why the World Needs Catalytic Leaders | Direct Application with Matt Harrington
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.
Why the World Needs Catalytic Leaders
In today’s fast-changing world, urgent crises often crowd out the important work of long-term transformation. Drawing inspiration from outgoing Southwestern Vermont Health Care CEO Tom Dee—a humble, strategic, and community-minded mentor—this post explores the power of catalytic leadership. Catalytic leaders don’t just manage organizations; they spark momentum, align diverse stakeholders, and drive systemic change.
The Leadership Flex of Listening, Honesty, and Trust I Direct Application with Matt Harrington
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.
Change Champions, Bystanders, and the Toxic Few | Direct Application with Matt Harrington
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).
The One Page Strategy That Gets People to Buy In | Direct Application with Matt Harrington
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.
Leading the Disgruntled: How to Cultivate Renewal in Your Senior Team
In our Greenthumb Leadership framework, Stage 3 is called Disgruntled. These are your seasoned professionals. They’re knowledgeable. They’ve been in the system long enough to know how it works—and sometimes, how to work around it. But they’re tired. Jaded. Resistant. These are the overgrown plants in your garden. Once full of potential, they’ve picked up weeds, disease and bugs along the way: resentment, cynicism, and detachment. The real problem with Disgruntled C-suiters? They often hold the most power, most influence and most control. And, in that respect, they can be the most dangerous.
Accountability: Discipline vs. Empathy
This post explores the delicate balance between accountability and empathy in leadership, especially in a time when staff are feeling burned out and undervalued. Drawing from Crucial Accountability and thought leader Dr. Jay Campbell, it outlines how leaders can hold people to high standards while still showing compassion. The key is moving beyond avoidance or aggression to have respectful, clear, and constructive conversations that build trust and drive results. True leadership lives in the tension between expectation and empathy—and that’s where real transformation begins.