Weekly Posts and Insights
Leadership & Teams (and a Personal Story) I Direct Application with Matt Harrington
Building a team-based culture isn’t a retreat or an initiative that fades by November. It’s a long game - years, not months - and it begins and ends with leadership commitment. In this episode of my podcast, Direct Application, I reflect on those early lessons from Deb and what they still mean for leaders today:
Help or Hinder: The First Agreement of Every Great Team
High-performing teams don’t just set goals—they set norms. In this post, I explain how the Help/Hinder List transforms team culture by making expectations visible and shared. Discover how this simple, early exercise helps teams communicate openly, manage conflict, and build accountability. Includes practical pro-script examples leaders can use to reinforce healthy team behavior in real time.
Teams & Conflict I Direct Application with Matt Harrington
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.
Building A Baby Crib Without Instructions Is Like a Team Without Its Charter I Direct Application with Matt Harrington
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.
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 Power of Teams I Direct Application with Matt Harrington
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.
Building a Team-Based Community
High-performing teams operate in a sweet spot where task completion, process excellence, and relationship dynamics all align. When those three elements synchronize, progress happens with speed, energy, and resilience. And when one element falters, strong teams adapt in real time to restore balance.
The Power of Teams: More Than the Sum of Their Parts
Teams represent both a philosophical approach and a “means to an end.” Being a team is never the goal, but rather the approach that will determine the success of the goal. However, teaming is also a culture or mindset that transforms the way we interact with other people that, quite frankly, is not always familiar or comfortable for us.
The 4 Personalities on Every Team | Direct Application with Matt Harrington
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.
Trust Broth
Just like crafting the perfect dish, building trust and connection within your team requires the right ingredients and careful preparation.