Direct Application with Matt Harrington

In the Season 1 finale of Direct Application , host Matt Harrington sits down with Dr. David Yeager , bestselling author of 1 0–25: The Science of Motivating Young People , for a timely and practical conversation on leadership, motivation, and the future of work. Dr. Yeager’s research challenges one of the most common — and costly — assumptions in organizations today: that young people ages 10 to...

ABOUT OUR GUEST Bennett Maxwell is a serial entrepreneur whose journey defies the traditional career playbook. Raised in Utah as one of nine siblings in a single-parent household, Bennett learned the art of sales and grit at a young age - knocking doors, selling products, and hustling long before he ever founded a company. After a two-year Mormon mission in Mexico, Bennett returned home, briefly p...

In this episode, Matt Harrington breaks down why team meetings are the true playing field of high-performance teams. Drawing from his experience on a state-championship football team, Matt explores how real excellence doesn’t happen in theory — it happens when the team is on the field, working together, making decisions, and holding each other accountable. Whether you lead a small nonprofit, a cor...

In this Direct Application episode , host Matt Harrington explores what it means to build leadership health the same way we build physical fitness. As Matt approaches his 40th birthday and begins training with a personal coach, he draws key parallels between strength training and leadership training — emphasizing that real growth isn’t achieved through one-off workshops or occasional retreats, but...

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, Mat...

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...

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...

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 ty...

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 innova...

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 roadm...

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’...

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....

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 dow...

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 survivi...

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...

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 leade...

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: Why SWOT still matters in today’s fast-changing world The key difference between internal vs....

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...

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: ✔...

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 les...

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...