Ep 37 - OKR Forecast 2025: Insights From The Experts
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
Release Date: 02/12/2025
Ep 40 - Beyond Soundbites: From Case Studies To Client Stories
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
Self-promotion can feel uncomfortable—especially for introverted, thoughtful, or reserved Thinkydoers. But what if sharing your impact didn’t have to feel like bragging? In this episode, client experience copywriter and founder of The Content Witches, Nailah King, joins host Sara Lobkovich to explore how to craft authentic client stories that go beyond traditional case studies. Nailah shares practical strategies for telling compelling stories that showcase your work—even when your impact isn’t easily measured in revenue or metrics. Learn some tips for managing rejection sensitivity and...
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Ep 39 - Generative AI: Practical Strategies for Thinkydoers with Guest Dvorah Graeser
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
AI is transforming the way we work—but how can Thinkydoers use generative AI responsively and productively—as a tool, not a time-suck? In part two of our conversation with AI ethicist and strategist Dvorah Graeser, we get practical about leveraging AI tools, particularly for deep specialists and strategic thinkers. Building on our discussion of ethics and implications from Episode 38, Dvorah shares specific ways to move from anxiety to agency with AI while maintaining your ethics and humanity. Learn how to use AI tools to organize your thoughts, improve communication with different...
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Ep 38 - Generative AI and the Future of Work for Thinkydoers
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
Are you wrestling with ethical questions about AI while also feeling curious about its potential? In this thought-provoking episode, Sara welcomes Dvorah Graeser, an "old internet" technologist who brings a unique perspective on AI democratization. From programming for the Human Genome Project to founding RocketSmart, Dvorah shares insights on how we can approach AI with both skepticism and agency. Discover why those who shy away from AI might be surrendering power to tech giants, and learn practical considerations for responsibly engaging with generative AI tools in your work. Episode...
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Ep 37 - OKR Forecast 2025: Insights From The Experts
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
What’s next for OKRs in 2025? As goal-setting evolves, organizations are rethinking their approach to strategy, execution, and performance. In this episode, Sara sits down with OKR experts Natalie Webb and Maria Rowcliffe to unpack the latest trends—from the role of generative AI to the shifting landscape of OKR localization and performance management. Whether you’re an OKR veteran or just getting started, these insights will help you stay ahead of the curve. Episode Highlights: How generative AI is reshaping OKR creation and workshop efficiency The shift away from rigid OKR...
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Ep 36 - Can EOS and OKRs Work Together? Bridging Vision and Execution With Expert Jessica Lee
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
What happens when two powerhouse frameworks collide? In this episode, Sara dives into a fascinating conversation with Jessica Lee, exploring the dynamic intersection of EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System®) and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) in business management. As both an EOS integrator and an OKR coach, Jessica shares her unique expertise, offering actionable insights into how these two frameworks can work in harmony to help organizations not just survive but truly thrive. Episode Highlights: The complementary relationship between EOS and OKRs in business management ...
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Ep 35 - SMART Goals vs. KPIs vs. OKRs: What's the Difference?
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
Ever feel lost in the alphabet soup of goal-setting frameworks? Whether you're a leader, a coach, or a goal-setting enthusiast, navigating between SMART goals, KPIs, OKRs, and other frameworks can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Sara Lobkovich – strategist, OKR coach, and nationally board-certified health and wellness coach (with “another life” in professional motorcycle road racing) – gives you the inside scoop on the most popular frameworks. Through easy-to-understand examples from the worlds of health and sports, Sara breaks down when and how to use each framework to drive...
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Ep 34: Why You Shouldn't Start with an OKR Tool (Yet)
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
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...
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Ep 33 - Sneak Peek of My Upcoming Book: You Are A Strategist (not just an OKRs book)
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
Ever feel like you're speaking a different language than your colleagues when presenting your ideas? Or, like a square peg in your work? Do you feel like you're trying to read minds to understand what's expected of you, while your co-workers are just humming along doing their work? Or, do you lead people who that describes well? In this powerful episode, Sara Lobkovich reveals why the very qualities that might make some people feel like an outsider at work—being "too analytical" or "too detail-oriented"—could actually be their greatest strategic strengths (and a tremendous asset to...
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Ep 32 - Executing Under Pressure: High Stakes, High Performance, With Pro Racer and Firefighter Jayson Uribe
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
What does it take to perform at the absolute limit, every time you show up to work? How do you navigate your own chemisty, and both objective and perceived risk when lives are actually on the line? Find out in this conversation with professional motorcycle road racer, firefighter, and business owner, Jayson Uribe. Jay and I work together in our moto lives -- he's one of the pro riders that I really enjoy working with in my capacity as a team principal for . In addition to being a very skilled, highly capable and accomplished rider in a sport where the rider is ultimately the one who...
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Ep 31 - Speed, Strategy, and Staying Unblocked: Leadership Lessons from Pro Motorsports & Beyond
Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently
What can business leaders learn from the high-stakes world of professional motorsports? Find out, in this conversation between Thinkydoers host Sara Lobkovich (whose "other life" is in professional motorcycle road racing) and organizational change expert Jurriaan Kamer, co-author of " and his new release, "." We cover a lot of ground here -- from how pro racing teams approaches to goal clarity, mistake recovery, and rhythmic learning can transform your leadership practice, to creating blame-free cultures, and mastering the art of strategic alignment. In this lively and engaging...
info_outlineWhat’s next for OKRs in 2025?
As goal-setting evolves, organizations are rethinking their approach to strategy, execution, and performance. In this episode, Sara sits down with OKR experts Natalie Webb and Maria Rowcliffe to unpack the latest trends—from the role of generative AI to the shifting landscape of OKR localization and performance management. Whether you’re an OKR veteran or just getting started, these insights will help you stay ahead of the curve.
Episode Highlights:
- How generative AI is reshaping OKR creation and workshop efficiency
- The shift away from rigid OKR cascading toward functional team-level alignment
- Why OKRs should not be directly tied to performance evaluations or compensation
- The biggest mistakes organizations make when implementing OKRs—and how to avoid them
- The evolving role of OKRs in strategy execution and business impact
- What to expect from the future of OKRs in 2025 and beyond
Key Concepts Explored:
- Generative AI in OKR Practice
- Role of AI in data analytics and predictive modeling
- AI as an enabler vs. driver of outcomes
- Practical applications in OKR workshops
- Limitations and considerations
- Modern OKR Localization
- Shift from cascading to hybrid approaches
- L1-L2 alignment strategies
- Bottom-up contribution methods
- Functional team focus
- OKR Integration
- Separation of delivery work and outcomes
- Project management integration
- Performance management considerations
- Leading indicator identification
- Implementation Strategy
- Starting points for organizations
- Common pitfalls to avoid
- Methodology vs. tool selection
- Change management considerations
Episode Chapters
00:00:00 - Introduction and welcome
00:01:00 - Book announcement: "You Are a Strategist"
00:04:00 - Guest introductions
00:08:00 - Generative AI's impact on OKRs
00:17:00 - Using AI tools in OKR workshops
00:21:00 - Evolution of OKR localization
00:33:00 - Discussion of individual KRs
00:41:00 - OKRs and performance management
00:47:00 - First steps for OKR implementation
Notable Quotes
"Generative AI is an enabler, not a driver. It’s a tool that supports goal-setting, but the real work still comes down to humans collaborating, making great decisions, and executing." – Maria Rowcliffe
"If we set our OKRs well, teams should feel empowered to say no to work that doesn’t align. Prioritization isn’t real unless it hurts." – Natalie Webb
"One of the hardest parts of OKR creation is identifying leading indicators. AI can help generate ideas, but the real challenge is getting teams to think beyond the obvious KPIs." – Maria Rowcliffe
"Not everyone needs their name on a Key Result. This isn’t a participation trophy—what matters is understanding how the work contributes to the bigger strategy." – Natalie Webb
"If you tie OKRs directly to performance evaluations, you create a system where people set safe goals instead of ambitious ones. That’s not what OKRs are meant to do." – Sara Lobkovich
Guest Information:
Natalie Webb is an OKR expert with nearly eight years of experience in the field. She currently works with Aramco in Saudi Arabia, supporting their digital transformation and AI initiatives. Natalie specializes in helping organizations implement effective OKRs that drive real business impact.
Maria Rowcliffe is an organizational behavior specialist with over 30 years of experience in management and strategy execution. Passionate about how organizations and people achieve success, she has worked extensively with OKRs and other strategic frameworks to help businesses align goals and improve execution.
Resources Mentioned:
Natalie’s & Maria’s Resources:
- Website: Tability OKR Platform – A tool for OKR tracking and goal management
- OKR Creation Tools: Claude and ChatGPT – Used for generating OKR drafts and refining goals
Sara’s Links and Resources:
- No-BS Strategic Achievement Intensive: Learn more and join at ck.redcurrantco.com
- Join Sara’s Email List: Get updates on OKRs and strategy at ck.redcurrantco.com
- Book Website: Stay updated on You Are a Strategist at youareastrategist.com
- Podcast Home Page: Thinkydoers Podcast
Find full show notes and the episode transcript via https://findrc.co/thinkydoers!