We recently had the chance to connect with Lisa Harrington and have shared our conversation below.
Lisa, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
As a business coach & consultant, we’re building THEIR business together. I see my clients earn so much success, but only we see it, for two reasons: first, due to the confidential nature of my work I never reveal anything to others and secondly, because this kind of progress takes time, and the broader world only sees it in increments. It’s wonderful to watch them grow, change, challenge themselves, and make the really hard decisions that come with leadership. These things are what makes a leader great, and it’s amazing to walk alongside them while they make the world a better place.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Abiding Strategy is for business leaders and owners who need an objective view of their own impact on their organization. It is so important to have someone who can see your strengths and weaknesses without bias. I customize programs to help them with self awareness, communication skills and stress management. We also cover practical issues, like when to add staff, move the office, make the decision to release someone, and more, You can’t always see it when you’re in your own way. After four decades in business, holding most of the C Suite spots, I’ve learned that having another set of eyes on a problem can be critical to success. Generally, my clients start with the trademarked Abiding Strategy Workshop, and then have quarterly accountability cohorts, monthly coaching, internal staff workshops and more. The Sapphire Think Tank and ACTS groups are public groups for non-competitive businesses that want an unofficial advisory board to help brainstorm and solve problems. I’ve written two books on leadership and have a third coming out in 2026!
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
My DAD was always my biggest fan! He saw my potential long before I did, and he understood why I wanted to have an impact on the world. As an Army veteran, he gave 20 years of his life making the world a safer place, and he was an incredible inspiration to me. His work ethic and desire to serve others was a great role model for me. He knew that each of us has our very specific role to fill in the world, and that as long as we do our best at that task, we can make the world a better place. He had a resounding faith that never waivered.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
Success isn’t about title or money. At Abiding Strategy, my vision statement is Joy in the Workplace because we all do best that which we love to do. Chasing the role someone else wants you to play, or giving up time, freedom, or peace of mind to climb the ladder, so to speak, is wasting your life. I learned that the small stuff matters when it comes to loving your work, and that I should trust my gut about the people around me. Business owners who understand this are much more successful. We have so many options in life, but it’s easy to keep plodding down the path we’re on. It’s harder to make choices that are right for us even when it means going a whole new direction, but it’s certainly worth it – for us and for our businesses!
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
I protect my time for my faith journey. I am a certified Parish Lay Minister for my church, and my faith informs every aspect of my life. Being a servant leader, taking care of myself so that I can care for others, living in grace and mercy are tenants of my life. Since I founded my business in 2009, I have lived my purpose statement: to live in the TRUTH, to be a friend first, and to serve graciously.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Much of the work I do with my clients is foundational. We’re building things to last, and sometimes that takes a long time. Looking to the future is a natural part of the process I use, and we expect incremental steps to the top. We allow for human issues, inevitable changes in life, economic realities, and more. I hope to leave a legacy of happier employees, stable families and businesses that live on for generations, and we do that by Building Better Bosses together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.AbidingStrategy.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisahharrington
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbidingStrategy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@abidingstrategy6084
Image Credits
Traci Schwomeyer
Monica Lawrence
Thaddeus Harden
