Built to Lead: Resilience, Service, and Sales with Kim Harrington

From Chaos to Clarity: Kim Harrington’s Journey to Unshakable Leadership

What if the leader you're becoming was forged in the fire of everything you thought might break you?

In this week’s podcast episode, I sat down with Kim Harrington, and it’s safe to say—his story doesn’t just inspire, it transforms. From a childhood in the NYC foster system to the U.S. Marines, then law enforcement, and now a highly respected leader in the mortgage industry, Kim’s life reads like a movie—but every bit of it is real.

The Power of Perspective: Belief Windows and Beginnings

Kim shared how early experiences shaped the lens through which he sees the world—a concept he calls the “belief window.” Raised by a mother struggling with addiction and a father who was in and out of prison, Kim entered the foster care system at just 15 months old. He moved through five foster homes and three group homes before turning 18.

Rather than using that trauma as an excuse, Kim used it as a compass. “I learned early on that I never wanted to speak to another human being the way people spoke to me.” That one insight became the root of his leadership style: lead with integrity, speak with kindness, and act with intention.

The Day That Changed Everything

At 17 years old, while walking out of a McDonald's in Queens, Kim passed a U.S. Marine Corps recruiting office. That spontaneous decision to step through the door became the turning point of his life.

“The Marines didn’t just teach me discipline—they taught me to be a man, to think beyond myself, to be part of something bigger.”

That experience became a blueprint for how he leads today—with precision, empathy, and zero tolerance for excuses.

From the Front Lines to the Mortgage Industry

After six years of service—including time as a machine gunner and a military prison officer—Kim transitioned into law enforcement. He spent 16 years with the California Highway Patrol, working mostly graveyard shifts and becoming known for his work in DUI enforcement. With over 2,400 arrests, Kim’s commitment to public safety runs deep—but so does his emotional honesty:

“To be honest, I didn’t like who I was back then. Constant exposure to the worst of humanity hardens you. I’m grateful I did the job, but I’m also glad I left when I did.”

His next evolution? Real estate—and eventually mortgage lending, where he has since trained over 500 loan officers who have generated more than $2.1 billion in volume. And unlike many, Kim didn’t just “fall into” mortgage—he was rigorously trained through a nine-week academy that valued discipline and professionalism over guesswork.

Leadership That Lifts

Today, Kim leads with what he calls the “Oreo Cookie Method” of feedback—sandwiching constructive insights between two layers of genuine positivity.

But what sets him apart isn’t just his methods—it’s his mindset.

“Leadership isn’t about control. It’s about removing barriers so your people can grow.”

He doesn’t just tolerate feedback from his team—he welcomes it. He doesn’t just talk about professionalism—he embodies it. And when team members stumble, he leans into compassion, not punishment.

“If one of my team tells me they’re not coming in because they’ve been drinking, my first response is: take care of yourself. We’ll talk through it. What I’m not going to do is fire someone for being human.”

Lessons We Can All Learn From Kim

Here are just a few mic-drop insights Kim left us with:

• Stop complaining. “It’s the devil’s drug. Feedback moves you forward. Complaining keeps you stuck.”

• Build trust through consistency. “One missed deadline might not kill your credibility—but enough of them will.”

• Be other-centered. “If you walk through life focused on helping others, the rewards come back tenfold.”

• Take care of your body and mind like you only get one of each—because you do. (Shoutout to Warren Buffett’s car analogy 👏)

This Episode Is More Than a Conversation—It’s a Wake-Up Call

Kim Harrington’s life is proof that your past doesn’t define your future—your decisions do.

If you lead a team, manage a business, or just want to be a better human—this episode is your blueprint.

🎧 Listen now to the link above or wherever you get your podcasts.
(And then maybe go shine your boots. Kim would expect nothing less.)