Weekly Posts and Insights
Immediate, Real Time, Practical Ways You Can Make Yourself Indispensable This New Year
As a New Year is upon us yet again, here are a few ways over the last decade and half that I have both seen and practiced becoming indispensable in career, professional life and in organizations. These are immediate, real-time, start today ways that can transform you as a leader and any organization, business or side-hustle attached to you!
Harrington's Reading List
This library is a collection of the many books and years that I have spent studying and enjoying a healthy pursuit of excellence. They range from books on creativity, on conflict, on culture to books on marketing, leadership and to my surprise, a lot on grit and resilience. At the top of the page I wanted a quote that I thought universally said what I think of when I think of books and Harrington Brands; I think Albert Einstein said it best: “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” So, please enjoy and of course, if you have a recommendation please let us know! We’re always looking for the next great book to improve.
Preparing for Strategic Planning Season After A Pandemic
August is a time when a board or organization should start to look at their strategic plan and decide whether they need to update it or create a new one. One such organization did reach out, having not a lot of other options, and decided to work with me on their strategic plan. Here’s what we did in 30 days…
Harrington to Moderate "Promoting Change: Creating a New Landscape for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder" Panel
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) and the Bennington Opioid Response Team, with support from a state Community Action Grant and Catamount Access Television, present Promoting Change: Creating a New Landscape for Individuals with Substance Use Disorder. Author and Speaker Matt Harrington will moderate. Panelists include Pam Aulicino, MSN, RN; Julea Larson; and Benjamin Lerner.
Udemy Course: Rethinking Leadership and People In Your Organization
Harrington Brands is offering a new 1-hour, 7 lecture course on Udemy called, "Rethinking Leadership and People in Your Organization." Leadership is not about you. It’s about your people and how you bring out the best in them. But, how do you bring out the best? Learn 5 tools to get the best out of your people!
Using a One Page Strategy To Get People To Buy Into Your Vision
The One Page Strategy (OPS) has helped many pull together strategic and yearly plans and goals all on one sheet. The idea is that by putting it on one sheet you can look at it throughout the year to make progress on those goals. Not only are all your goals and projects on one sheet, it also holds you and your team accountable as you look at it from time to time throughout the year to measure your effectiveness in achieving your goals.
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:
Being a Leader in a COVID World
What does it take to be a leader during a crisis. I hope some of these tips around communication, self-reflection, inspiration, change and more are frank, blunt, perhaps contrarian and real during this crisis for you.
The “I’ve got an idea for you” Worksheets
One of the most common phrases you’ll hear as a leader in a chamber or association is, “you know what you should do…” or “I’ve got an idea for you…” or if your chamber or association is well-known for throwing events, “here’s an event you should do for the community…” Next time you hear that, try out two of these free templates!
Why your organization’s new vision is failing and what you can do about it
When I start to tackle a vision for a new project, committee or for an organization, I think of it as “change.” You are asking a group of people to go from where it’s comfortable, familiar and the way they’ve always done something to a new place that can be scary, as well as exciting. That’s a big ask. You’re asking people to change and realize your vision. Implementing a successful vision shouldn’t be left to the elite or once-in-a-generation geniuses. You can do it too. You’ve heard the quote 10% inspiration, 90% perspiration. I think there’s a lot of that quote in the implementation of vision statements.