Ep 34: Why You Shouldn't Start with an OKR Tool (Yet)

Update: 2024-12-11

Description

Thinking about implementing OKRs? Your first instinct might be to shop for an OKR tool - but that could be setting yourself up for failure. In this candid Thinkydoers Short, strategy coach Sara Lobkovich explains why starting with software often backfires, and shares a proven alternative with a methodology-focused approach that will set your organization up for long-term OKR success.

Episode Highlights:

Common pitfalls of taking a tool-first approach to OKR implementation
Why methodology must come before software
How to track OKRs effectively without specialized tools
A practical timeline for OKR implementation that sets you up for success
Signs that your organization is actually ready for an OKR tool

Key Takeaways:

Tools alone don't solve the core challenges of implementing OKRs
Start with company-level OKRs and establish strong methodology before scaling
Simple tracking methods like spreadsheets can work well in early stages
Let organizational demand drive tool adoption rather than forcing it
Focus on behavior change and culture shifts before investing in software

Notable Quotes:

“ People need an OKR process that isn't yucky. If it's yucky, then they're going to do all sorts of work for a process that might generate a pretty dashboard for the leaders. But we want people to love our OKR implementations. We want people -- not just leaders -- to see the benefit of OKR implementations.”

"We want to focus on Objectives and Key Results as continuous learning, and we want to keep our tools and ops simple."

"We let folks struggle until they're suffering with the lack of software, and then that makes our software adoption so much more successful."

"What's ultimately most important is that leaders need objective information to make decisions."

Episode Chapters:

[00:00 ] Introduction to Thinkydoer Shorts

[00:43 ] Sara's Dual Life: Business and Racing

[01:12 ] Goal Fridays and Live Replays

[02:59 ] Decoding Goal-Setting Acronyms

[07:38 ] Activity Goals: The Basics

[09:02 ] KPIs: Key Performance Indicators (and KPIs vs. OKRs)

[11:32 ] SMART Goals: Specific and Measurable

[15:52 ] Mandatory Goals vs. Stretch Goals

[18:20 ] OKRs and Other Goal-Setting Frameworks

Resources Mentioned:

Get the No-BS OKRs Workbook ($19): https://saralobkovich.com/no-bs-okrs-workbook-pdf
Info about the upcoming print version of the No-BS OKRs Workbook & Sara's forthcoming book: "You Are a Strategist: Use No-BS Objectives and Key Results to Get Big Things Done" is available at https://youareastrategist.com
Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: Access all free resources
Thinkydoers (not-just-an OKR podcast) Home Page: https://saralobkovich.com/thinkydoers-pod

Connect with Sara:

Newsletter: findrc.co/newsletter
Contact: findrc.co/contact
Email Sara at hello@redcurrantco.com
Social Media: @saralobkovich most everywhere!

Mentioned in this episode:

Don't forget: Get your free No-BS OKRs Workbook or schedule a VIP Strategy Day!

Before I let you go, I just wanna remind you, you can pick up your copy of "You Are a Strategist: Use No-BS OKRs to Get Big Things Done" at https://youareastrategist.com, and you'll get that free PDF of the "No-BS OKRs Workbook" when you purchase direct.

Don't wanna DIY it? Book a VIP executive strategy day with me. They can be used one-on-one. It can be used to facilitate an in-person or remote event with your org. It can also be used for a keynote that inspires actual results for your upcoming event.

Visit https://findrc.co/vipday for all the details.

And from there you can book a free executive strategy intake call, or request a no meeting virtual consult. A VIP executive strategy day helps you unlock clarity, align quickly, and drive results in just one powerful day.

Don't forget your free No-BS OKRs Workbook