Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

Thinkydoers®, hosted by Strategy Rebel and OKR Coach Sara Lobkovich, is a community for unconventional leaders, status-quo challengers, and workplace “square pegs.” Thinkydoers are individuals who navigate the journey from insight to idea, through the messy middle, seeking courage and confidence to bring their visions to life. Thinkydoers are a diverse group. We're disproportionately (but not exclusively) introverted and/or neurodivergent, and regardless of personality or cognitive wiring, Thinkydoers are strategic thinkers often underserved and misunderstood in traditional business cultures. Whether you’re a leader, an aspiring leader, or a behind-the-scenes “clutch player,” Thinkydoers aims to help you find more satisfaction, less frustration, and greater flow in your work. Learn to unlock your inner strategist with No-BS OKRs. Then, explore topics way beyond goal-setting, including strategy, behavior change, cognitive health, and motivation. Our guest episodes feature a wide range of perspectives to support you in building the work/life you want most. Increase your impact, reduce overwhelm, avoid burnout, and make the unique impacts only you can bring to the world. Here, you’ll discover how to build and maintain a fulfilling career and lead transformative efforts with significant outcomes, all while putting human outcomes first.

Ep 36 - Can EOS and OKRs Work Together? Bridging Vision and Execution With Expert Jessica Lee 01/20/2025

Ep 36 - Can EOS and OKRs Work Together? Bridging Vision and Execution With Expert Jessica Lee 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 Understanding the crucial visionary-integrator dynamic in leadership How EOS provides structure for businesses ready to scale The importance of proper goal-setting and measurement systems Role definition and its impact on organizational success The value of coaching in implementation of both frameworks Key Concepts Explored: EOS Framework Components Vision Traction Organizer (VTO) Rocks and Measurables People Analyzer Accountability Chart L10 Meetings Leadership Dynamics Visionary (CEO) role and characteristics Integrator role and responsibilities Creating effective partnership between both roles Goal Setting and Measurement Integration of EOS rocks with OKR methodology Importance of measurable outcomes Balance between vision and execution Organizational Structure Role definition before performance evaluation Right people in right seats concept Simplified organizational structure approach Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Thinkydoers Podcast 00:58 Live from the Race Trailer 02:16 Guest Introduction: Jessica Lee 03:06 Understanding EOS and OKRs 04:40 Implementing EOS in Small Businesses 13:55 The Role of the Integrator 20:31 Accountability and Goal Setting 26:57 Conclusion and Farewell Notable Quotes: "Having a shared vocabulary and shared words and meanings within an organization could probably alleviate 75 percent of conflict that happens in businesses." - Sara Lobkovich "Find out what matters to your people. That’s how you’re going to get the most out of the people you have." - Jessica Lee "What I learned from OKR coaching was that staying quiet and letting someone else reach the answer can be the hardest—and most impactful—work." - Jessica Lee "Research shows that we will dramatically overestimate what we think we could do in a short amount of time, but we will grossly underestimate what we could do in a larger amount of time." - Jessica Lee Guest Information: Jessica Lee owns Optimized Execs, a business consulting firm helping CEOs of small and medium-sized businesses who feel overwhelmed and unsure about growth strategies. Her experience includes serving as a COO and implementing EOS in various organizations. Jessica's Resources Mentioned: Book: "Traction" by Gino Wickman Book: "Rocket Fuel" (focused on visionary-integrator relationship) Website: LinkedIn: Jessica Lee Website: Sara's Links and Resources: Join Sara's Email Newsletter: Email Sara at Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: Thinkydoers (not-just-an OKR podcast) Home Page: Visit to join the newsletter for additional resources and early access to new tools. Find full show notes and the episode transcript via ! /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/34874260

Ep 35 - SMART Goals vs. KPIs vs. OKRs: What's the Difference? 12/17/2024

Ep 35 - SMART Goals vs. KPIs vs. OKRs: What's the Difference? 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 success. You'll leave with a clear understanding of what each framework truly means, how they differ, and which one to use to turbocharge your personal or professional goals. Want to watch the full-length replay of the Live this episode is drawn from? It’s on ! Episode Highlights: Clear explanation of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and why they're indicators, not goals Deep dive into SMART goals and their practical applications How OKRs differ from other frameworks for handling uncertainty and innovation Understanding mandatory vs. stretch goals Real-world examples using health and sports metrics Introduction to additional frameworks like BSC (Balanced Scorecard) and ROB (Rhythm of Business) Key Concepts Covered: Activity Goals vs. Outcome Goals KPIs as health indicators for your business The limitations of SMART goals When and how to use mandatory goals The power of OKRs for uncertain territory Building a holistic performance dashboard Creating effective rhythms of business 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 Notable Quotes: "KPIs are indicators, not goals - it's right there in the name." "SMART goals are helpful because they are specific. They do give us something to aim for. The challenge with SMART goals, and we're going to talk about mandatories in just a minute, is with SMART goals, It's a little too easy to set that goal and then have our all-or-nothing thinking take over with our behavior." " And quantifying activity is great. It gives you that clarity when what's important is that you do something a certain number of times. But doing something a certain number of times won't necessarily yield the outcome you need." "The Objective is like a tiny love letter from your idealistic 'you' to your future 'you' that's going to get frustrated and challenged." "Your Rhythm of Business (ROB) is all of the things that make up the culture of performance in your work. [...]Your Rhythm of Business is really your culture. It's your meetings, yes, it's also your communication norms, your asynchronous communication norms, your habits. Your rhythms for learning and feedback, your ways of recognizing each other and what cadence that's on." Resources Mentioned: Get the No-BS OKRs Workbook ($19): 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 Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: Thinkydoers (not-just-an OKR podcast) Home Page: Connect with Sara: Newsletter: Contact: Email Sara at Social Media: @saralobkovich most everywhere! /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/34479685

Ep 34: Why You Shouldn't Start with an OKR Tool (Yet) 12/11/2024

Ep 34: Why You Shouldn't Start with an OKR Tool (Yet) 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 00:11 About Your Host, Sara Lobkovich 01:12 Today's Topic: OKR Platforms 02:10 Common Pitfalls in OKR Implementations 04:07 The Executive Excitement and Initial Challenges 05:25 The Role of OKR Platforms 07:10 The Downside of Platform-First Approach 15:05 Methodology-First Approach to OKRs 21:41 Tracking OKRs Without a Platform 30:06 Conclusion and Resources Resources Mentioned: Get the No-BS OKRs Workbook ($19): 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 Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: Thinkydoers (not-just-an OKR podcast) Home Page: Connect with Sara: Newsletter: Contact: Email Sara at Social Media: @saralobkovich most everywhere! /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/34383210

Ep 33 - Sneak Peek of My Upcoming Book: You Are A Strategist (not just an OKRs book) 12/03/2024

Ep 33 - Sneak Peek of My Upcoming Book: You Are A Strategist (not just an OKRs book) 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 the organizations they work within). In today's Thinkydoers short, hear a preview of the Introduction to Sara's upcoming book: "You Are A Strategist" isn't just another theoretical strategy book. It's a practical playbook for people who think differently about work and want to make real change happen. Through frameworks like the Connected Strategic One-Pager and No-BS OKRs, you'll discover how to transform your strategic insights into clear, compelling direction that others can actually follow, without getting lost in politics or burning out. Drawing from her experience training over 2,000 OKR coaches across more than 300 organizations globally, Sara shares a human-centered approach to strategy that works for everyone—not just those with traditional business backgrounds or positions of power. Whether you're in the C-Suite, a chief of staff, a program manager, a product manager, a project lead, department director, or high-performing individual contributor (or beyond!), this episode will help you unlock your inner strategist and make your unique impact. Episode Highlights: Why being "strategic" isn't about being smart or having a specific job title The five key questions that identify strategic thinkers How to recognize and empower strategic thinkers in your organization Why ideas alone aren't enough in today's business environment Introduction to Connected Strategic One-sheet and No-BS OKRs The science behind goal-setting and motivation Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Thinkydoer Shorts 00:39 Introduction to 'You Are A Strategist' 01:28 Dedication and Audience 01:53 Identifying Strategists 02:25 Challenges and Misconceptions 04:29 Defining Strategy and Strategists 10:17 The Role of Ideas in Strategy 12:18 Implementing Strategic Goals 19:39 The Connected Strategic One Sheet and No BS OKRs 26:57 Conclusion and Next Steps Notable Quotes: [00:05:00] "The job isn't to convince people that you're a smart person; it's to clarify situations so everyone can do the smart thing." (Referencing a quote by Rob Estreitinho of Salmon Labs) [00:07:00] "If you read books and research papers for fun and delight in spotting ways that wildly disparate information connects to create new ideas and approaches, that might be you." [00:09:00] "Good strategy makes the work better, but you don't see the strategy itself. The strategy is the scaffolding that the stuff you ultimately see rests on." [00:12:00] "If anyone is to have any hope of solving the major organizational, cultural, and existential problems we all face together today, insightful, curious, linky brains are an asset." [00:16:00] "In today's market and work world, every person can operate strategically, no matter how senior or tactical your role. Strategy is clear expectations." [00:24:00] "Strategy achievement, at its core, is human behavior change. Psychological research in the motivation sciences fields shows that human behavior change relies heavily on the creation of specific, actionable goals and a learning-focused approach." Key Takeaways: Strategy is about clarifying situations so everyone can do the smart thing Strategic thinking is independent of job title or role Good strategy makes work better but often remains invisible Clear expectations and empirical measurements are crucial for success Strategy achievement is fundamentally about human behavior change Resources Mentioned: You Are A Strategist book: No-BS OKRs Workbook (PDF download): Newsletter signup: /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/34254990

Ep 32 - Executing Under Pressure: High Stakes, High Performance, With Pro Racer and Firefighter Jayson Uribe 11/12/2024

Ep 32 - Executing Under Pressure: High Stakes, High Performance, With Pro Racer and Firefighter Jayson Uribe 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 goes out there and twists the throttle, Jayson's life and career have given him a unique perspective on teamwork that makes him truly fun to work with. He's also a talented development rider: his ability to give us technical information about his experience on track not only makes it possible for us to improve the bike for him; it also helps us improve our equipment for all of our riders. Jayson agreed to join me for a peek inside his brain, to hear more about his experiences with balancing technical precision and emotional awareness in high-stakes environments. From his morning pre-race routines to his approach to failure and risk management, what he's learned about performing under pressure applies far beyond the racetrack or firehouse. Whether you're facing challenging decisions in your own work, managing teams through high-pressure situations, or simply curious about the psychology of peak performance, you'll find valuable insights in this conversation about what it really takes to execute at the highest level when it matters most. Episode Highlights: The learnable balance between technical expertise and emotional regulation Achieving and maintaining flow states in high-pressure situations How morning routines and preparation impact performance Managing failure and using setbacks as motivation Risk mitigation and decision-making under pressure Transferable skills between racing and firefighting The myth of natural talent vs. practiced fundamentals Key Concepts Explored: Flow state in high-performance environments Technical precision under emotional stress Risk assessment and management Progressive goal-setting Recovery and regulation techniques Performance preparation routines Notable Quotes: "[High performance] is just perfect execution of fundamentals under stress. And the more perfect the execution, the better the outcome will be." "The best races are the ones you don't remember. When you're riding the bike you're almost so focused that everything else is a blur." "Being able to remove the emotional side of things... you got to lock into the moment of what you are there to do." Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Thinkydoers Podcast 00:56 Current Events and Connecting with Listeners 04:05 Deep Dive: Jayson Uribe's Multifaceted Career 06:51 Balancing Emotions and Technical Precision 11:32 Goal-Setting and Performance Mindset 19:28 Lessons from Racing and Firefighting Guest Information: Jayson Uribe is a professional motorcycle racer with both international and U.S. national career experience. He currently races in MotoAmerica, the U.S. national road racing series (and, with us -- CW Moto, during the off-season in the CVMA series in California). He is also a firefighter, and founder of Code Three Consultations, specializing in automotive forensics and investigations. Jayson's Contact Info: Code Three Consultations: Connect with Jayson: Instagram Sara's Links & Resources: For a limited time: Schedule a 30-minute Connection Session with Sara (during Nov 2024): CW Moto Racing on Instagram: Sara's CW Moto email address: Join Sara's Email Newsletter: Email Sara at Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: Thinkydoers (not-just-an OKR podcast) Home Page: /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/33891847

Ep 31 - Speed, Strategy, and Staying Unblocked: Leadership Lessons from Pro Motorsports & Beyond 10/31/2024

Ep 31 - Speed, Strategy, and Staying Unblocked: Leadership Lessons from Pro Motorsports & Beyond 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 conversation, you'll discover how racing's high-performance, high-stakes principles can accelerate your business performance—whether you're a motorsports fan or not. Episode Highlights: Three core principles business can learn from racing teams: Crystal-clear goals and their role in driving focus Balanced autonomy and alignment in high-performing teams Rhythmic learning: how racing teams turn every moment into an opportunity for improvement Creating blame-free cultures in high-stakes environments The power of "even over" statements in explicit prioritization Decision-making frameworks: understanding "hats, haircuts, and tattoos" How consent and choice drive organizational ownership Notable Quotes: "Failure avoidance is more dangerous than failure recovery." - Jurriaan Kamer "If you look at Formula 1 teams [...] execution is not 99% of the thing. They understand that everything they do is an opportunity to reflect and improve. These meetings, these rituals, are built into their cadence. It's not something somebody has to plan - it's just part of how they operate." - Jurriaan Kamer "If you try to convince a group of people, the first thing you need to do is not tell them why you think you're right, but ask them what they think is going to go wrong. And then you can start to build conviction together." - Jurriaan Kamer "We have to take a systemic perspective when things go wrong... As an outsider, you think 'Oh, this person needs to be fired, because they blew the chances of a victory.' Which is just very short-term focused because [mistakes] will repeat [themselves] if you don't understand all the factors that were at play." - Jurriaan Kamer Guest Information: Jurriaan Kamer is an organizational change expert based in the Netherlands and author of "Formula X: How to Reach Extreme Acceleration in Your Organization" and "Unblock." Drawing from his unique access to professional car-racing teams and extensive experience with self-managing organizations, he helps leaders worldwide create high-performing, adaptable organizations. Jurriaan's Resources Mentioned: (Book by Rini van Solingen and Jurriaan Kamer) (Book by Jurriaan Kamer) Website: Unblock book website: Sara's Links and Resources: Join this Fall's Goal Fridays free live series: Join Sara's Email Newsletter: Email Sara at Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: Thinkydoers (not-just-an OKR podcast) Home Page: Follow CW Moto Racing on Instagram: Find full show notes and the episode transcript via ! /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/33698947

Ep 30 - Getting Unstuck: Don't Go It Alone (Part 2 with Dr. Sherlonda Adkins) 10/23/2024

Ep 30 - Getting Unstuck: Don't Go It Alone (Part 2 with Dr. Sherlonda Adkins) Feeling stuck but unsure how to get help? You're not alone - and this episode is for you. In part two of my powerful conversation with Dr. Sherlonda Adkins, we explore why the journey to getting unstuck shouldn't be a solo endeavor. Learn why it takes most people 10 years to seek professional help, how to find the right therapist (and what to do if your first try isn't a fit), and practical strategies for getting the support you need. Whether you're considering therapy for the first time or looking to rebuild trust after a difficult experience, this episode offers candid insights and actionable guidance for taking that crucial first step. Episode Highlights: Finding the right therapist and why it's like dating How to have an initial conversation with potential therapists The importance of establishing boundaries in therapeutic relationships Why it's never too late to seek help Building a healthy support system Common Questions: How do I know if I need professional help? What should I look for in a therapist? What if my first therapy experience isn't working? How do I communicate with my therapist about concerns? Notable Quotes: "It's never too late to start. I've worked with patients in their seventies, and my biggest heartbreak is for people to leave this earth without experiencing joy—being stuck and not seeing what it could have looked like." - Dr. Adkins "The average length of time that it takes for someone to actually seek professional help is about 10 years." - Dr. Adkins "Before you can actually trust someone, you got to feel comfortable." - Dr. Adkins Resources Mentioned: Dr. Sherlonda Adkins Website: Sara's Links and Resources: Join this Fall's Goal Fridays free live series: Join Sara's Email Newsletter: Email Sara at Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: Thinkydoers (not-just-an OKR podcast) Home Page: Find full show notes and the episode transcript via ! /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/33561137

Feeling Stuck: Signs and Symptoms Not to Ignore (Part 1 with Dr. Sherlonda Adkins) 10/22/2024

Feeling Stuck: Signs and Symptoms Not to Ignore (Part 1 with Dr. Sherlonda Adkins) Ever felt "off" but couldn't quite name it? Did it feel like you were "stuck?" What if that feeling of being "stuck" is actually trying to tell you something important? In this illuminating conversation with Dr. Sherlonda Adkins, a Physician Assistant and "Unstuck Strategist," we explore how feeling stuck can masquerade as depression, anxiety, or burnout - and why recognizing the difference matters. Whether you're questioning your career path or feeling stagnant in life, this episode offers vital insights into identifying and understanding stuckness before it impacts your wellbeing. Then join us for part two with Dr. Adkins where we'll explore practical strategies for getting unstuck and creating positive change in your life. Episode Highlights: The difference between clinical depression and feeling stuck Physical, emotional, and mental signs of stuckness How "sticky thinking" patterns keep us trapped Why career transitions and family dynamics are common stuck points The relationship between substance use and feeling stuck Why being stuck isn't always negative - it can signal important life changes Common Questions: What are the signs of being stuck vs. depression? How does stuckness show up physically in our bodies? When should you seek professional help for feeling stuck? How can you tell if you're experiencing sticky thinking? Notable Quotes: "Sometimes people end up sitting on my couch saying 'I'm depressed,' thinking it's neurobiological changes, when in fact it's more secondary to their feeling stuck." - Dr. Adkins "Suffering is different from going through tough times - suffering means you're not accessing available relief while going through difficulties." - Dr. Adkins "Sometimes being stuck is jolting because you recognize there's a misalignment between your compass and your soul." - Dr. Adkins About Today's Guest: Dr. Sherlonda Adkins is a physician assistant and unstuck strategist based in Charleston, South Carolina. Through her telemedicine practice and coaching work, she helps people around the world create lives they don't need to escape from. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Sherlonda Adkins Website: Sara's Links and Resources Join this Fall's Goal Fridays free live series: Join Sara's Email Newsletter: Email Sara at Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: Thinkydoers (not-just-an OKR podcast) Home Page: Find full show notes and the episode transcript via ! /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/33560602

Mindfulness for Overthinkers and Perfectionists with Dr. Alice Rizzi 10/15/2024

Mindfulness for Overthinkers and Perfectionists with Dr. Alice Rizzi Are you an overthinker who can't seem to quiet your mind? A perfectionist struggling to find peace in a chaotic world? This episode is your lifeline. Dr. Alice Rizzi, a licensed psychologist and mindfulness coach, breaks down the myths about mindfulness and offers practical, accessible techniques that even the busiest minds can embrace. Discover how just 30 seconds a day can transform your mental landscape and why traditional meditation isn't the only path to mindfulness. Whether you've tried mindfulness before and given up, or you're completely new to the concept, this episode promises to revolutionize your approach to mental well-being. Episode Highlights: Dr. Rizzi's refreshing definition of mindfulness that goes beyond sitting still The surprising difference between mindfulness and meditation Game-changing mindfulness techniques tailored for overthinkers and perfectionists How to start a mindfulness practice when you think you have no time Simple grounding exercises that can calm your nervous system in seconds The overlooked importance of self-compassion in mindfulness practice Common Questions Addressed: What is mindfulness, really, and how is it different from meditation? Can overthinkers and perfectionists actually benefit from mindfulness? What are some quick, no-nonsense ways to incorporate mindfulness into a hectic life? How can mindfulness help manage the overwhelming stress and anxiety of modern life? Notable Quotes: "Mindfulness is the quality of being present in this moment with awareness, acceptance, kindness, compassion, curiosity, and non-judgment." - Dr. Alice Rizzi "It's better to do 30 seconds every day than even sit for 10 minutes once a week." - Dr. Alice Rizzi "Right now, in this moment, chances are you're actually okay." - Dr. Alice Rizzi Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Thinkydoers Podcast 01:27 Goal Fridays: A Series for Changemakers 02:45 Meet Dr. Alice Rizzi: Mindfulness Expert 04:35 Understanding Mindfulness and Meditation 06:44 Mindfulness for High Achievers and Overthinkers 09:48 Grounding Techniques for Overthinkers 16:28 The Power of Self-Compassion and Non-Judgment 21:52 Practical Tips for Mindfulness Practice 32:11 Conclusion and Resources Key Takeaways: Forget long meditation sessions; brief daily practices can be more effective for busy minds. Learn the "five, four, three, two, one" grounding technique to instantly reconnect with the present moment. Discover why self-compassion might be the missing piece in your mindfulness journey. Explore how a simple self-hug can regulate your nervous system faster than you think. Resources Mentioned: Dr. Alice Rizzi's Instagram: Website: (free mindfulness toolkit available) Therapy services (NY and FL): Sara's Links and Resources: Join this Fall's Goal Fridays free live series: The No-BS OKRs Workbook, currently available as a PDF download from (USD) or (AUD) Join the Launch Squad for Sara's Upcoming Books: You Are A Strategist and the No-BS OKRs Workbook Join Sara's Email Newsletter Email Sara at Whether you're a seasoned mindfulness practitioner or a skeptical beginner, this episode offers fresh insights and practical tools to help you navigate life's challenges with greater ease and presence. /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/33442827

October Theory: Gen-Z Discovers Quarterly Planning (and the Olds can learn a thing or two) 10/14/2024

October Theory: Gen-Z Discovers Quarterly Planning (and the Olds can learn a thing or two) Is October the new January? Gen Z thinks so, and they might be onto something. In this Thinkydoers Short, I dive into the viral TikTok trend of "October Theory" and explore how it intersects with established business practices like quarterly planning and OKRs (Objectives and Key Results). Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career journey, this episode offers fresh insights on goal-setting and achievement. Episode Highlights: Introduction to "October Theory" and its viral spread on TikTok How October Theory aligns with business quarterly planning practices What us Olds can learn from the youth on the Introduction to Key Results for Gen Z goal-setters The benefits of outcome-based goals over activity-based goals Key Questions: What is October Theory? How does October Theory relate to business planning cycles? What are Key Results in the context of OKRs? Why are outcome-based goals more effective than activity-based goals? Notable Quotes: "Let's listen to the next generation on this one and prioritize the end of Q3 reset." "Key results are a different kind of goal... We're going to think about what would be really incredible to achieve in terms of impacts or quantifiable outcomes of our effort." "Instead of the risk of the all or nothing bad feelings that we get when we set just activity based goals, when we create key results, that's what we're pursuing... We get instantly curious, even if you're not having any progress." Episode Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Thinkydoer Shorts 01:15 Discovering October Theory 02:07 Understanding October Theory and Its Impact 03:43 The Power of Key Results for Gen Z 04:06 Implementing OKRs in Business 06:21 Creating Effective Key Results 09:02 The Benefits of Key Results Over Activity Goals 12:57 Conclusion and Links and Resources: Pre-launch list for "You Are a Strategist": Sara's website: Shortcut to Sara's website: /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/33440822

Play as Mindfulness Practice with Chief Play Officer TJ Matton 09/25/2024

Play as Mindfulness Practice with Chief Play Officer TJ Matton Want to incorporate more play into your world? You’re in the right place! Play isn’t just for kids. It’s a biological necessity that can transform your mental well-being and even help manage mental health symptoms like hypervigilance and anxiety. And we’re lucky to have play expert TJ Matton back for this second episode in our two-part series on play. If you haven’t already, listen to last week’s episode for fundamentals about the science of play; and here we get practically applied. How can you increase play in your life? Listen (or read on) for answers. Episode Highlights: Foundations of Play: Play is essential for learning and development, helping us build new neural pathways. Play as a Mindfulness Practice: Integrating play into daily life to enhance mindfulness and personal growth. Managing Hypervigilance: Practical exercises to use play as a tool for managing hypervigilance. Mindfulness and Emotional Reactivity: Shifting from emotional reactivity to curiosity through play. Types of Play: Exploring different play patterns and how to integrate them into everyday activities. Common Questions: How can play help with mindfulness? What are some practical ways to integrate play into daily life? How can play be used to manage hypervigilance? Notable Quotes: “Play is how we learn new ways of thinking, being, and operating. It’s necessary for growth and evolution.” “Focusing on our enjoyment is never wasted; it’s an embodiment practice.” “Hypervigilance can be a play buddy. Opt into it in safe environments to transform it from a suffering experience to an impulse for growth.” Guest Information: TJ Matton: Founder and Chief Play Officer of the Playful Revolution. You can find more information about TJ and her work at theplayfulrevolution.com and on Instagram at @theplayfulrevolution. Next Episode Teaser: Join us next week for a conversation with another incredible expert about stuckness and mental health. Don’t miss it! Special Offer: Are you feeling overwhelmed by conflicting priorities? Struggling to achieve the results you need in your organization or career? It’s time to . Join my community membership program, designed for aspiring and practicing strategic operators who think differently. Right now, membership is $100 off for the full year, just in time to help with your Q3, Q4 transition and ramp up for 2025. Visit to learn more. Stay Connected: Thank you for joining and listening. I can’t wait to hear what resonated with you in this episode. Subscribe to our newsletter at to stay updated. You can find me, Sara Lobkovich, pretty much everywhere online. Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. If you have other Thinkydoers in your work world, please pass this episode along. We appreciate your referrals, mentions, shares, and reviews. Find full show notes and transcript at . /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/33196577

The Science of Play with TJ Matton 09/18/2024

The Science of Play with TJ Matton Are you ready to rethink everything you think you know about play? Want to learn more about the science of play as a powerful tool for personal growth and well-being? This week’s guest, TJ Matton, founder and chief play officer of the Playful Revolution, joins me to dive deep into the science and practice of play (especially for those of us for whom "play" may not feel like it comes naturally. TJ shares her insights as a trauma therapist and play advocate, exploring some foundational science (and neuroscience) about play, including play as a "primal drive" and essential part of learning. This episode is part one in a two part series: today, we lay the foundation of why play is important. In next week's episode, we'll continue our conversation with practical guidance for how to incorporate play into your mindfulness practices (even if you want to run the other direction when I say "play" or "mindfulness"). For complete show notes and transcript, visit Episode Highlights Introduction to TJ Matton: TJ’s background as a trauma therapist and her journey into the world of play. The Primal Drive of Play: Understanding play as a biological necessity, akin to hunger or thirst. Neurology of Play: How play helps develop new neural pathways and its importance across the lifespan. Types and Modes of Play: Exploring different play styles, including solo play, parallel play, and collaborative play. Balancing Novelty and Repetition: The delicate balance needed to keep play engaging and beneficial. Play and Neurodivergence: How play can be particularly beneficial for neurodivergent individuals. Play as a Social Activity: The importance of finding compatible play partners and creating safe play environments. Conflict as Play: Viewing conflict as a form of play and its role in building better relationships and systems. Episode Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Thinkydoers Podcast 00:40 Quick Promo and Upcoming Events 02:10 Exciting Episode with TJ: Play and Mindfulness 03:48 TJ's Background and Passion for Play 06:04 The Importance of Play in Our Lives 09:47 Balancing Novelty and Repetition in Play 17:44 Exploring Different Play Styles 21:19 Play as a Social and Solo Activity 29:06 Play and Vulnerability 34:37 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser Common Questions What is the primal drive of play?: Play is a biological necessity that helps us learn and develop new neural pathways. How does play benefit neurodivergent individuals?: Play can help neurodivergent individuals engage in a way that feels authentic and liberating. What are the different types of play?: Play can be solo, parallel, or collaborative, and can involve different styles such as intellectual, kinesthetic, or storytelling play. How can play be balanced between novelty and repetition?: Play needs to be novel enough to stay engaging but repetitive enough to allow learning and mastery. Notable Quotes from TJ Matton “Play is a primal drive in the body, regulated the same way as sleep, hunger, and thirst.” “Play is how we learn everything neurologically, and that never changes.” “Conflict is a form of play and is essential for building better relationships and systems.” “Play always starts with choice and is an embodied experience of engagement and enjoyment.” TJ’s Links and Resources Sara's Links and Resources Unblock Your Inner Strategist Community: RSVP for the YouTube or LinkedIn Guided Reset Session: | The No-BS OKRs Workbook, currently available as a PDF download from (USD) or (AUD) You Are A Strategist and the No-BS OKRs Workbook Join Download: Virtual OKR Consult: Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/33102507

Product Engineer to CEO: Sten Pittet, A Thinkydoers Career Profile 09/11/2024

Product Engineer to CEO: Sten Pittet, A Thinkydoers Career Profile Have you ever thought about a career in product -- whether product management, product development, or product engineering? You'll enjoy this conversation with Sten Pittet, CEO of Tability. In our last episode, Sten interviewed Thinkydoers host Sara about her journey into OKRs; today, we flipped the script for Sara to interview Sten about his fascinating journey starting in software development after uni, into product engineering in a mid-size company (that became a large company during his tenure), and then the transition into the CEO and founder seat with his latest venture, Tability. For complete show notes and transcript, visit Episode Highlights: Sten’s journey from software development in France to becoming a CEO in Australia. Role of OKRs in shaping Sten’s approach to product management and leadership. Some of the differences between the role of product leadership in large and smalller or start-up companies. Importance of stakeholder management and involving others in decision-making. Creation and mission of Tability, inspired by practical experience with OKRs. Emphasis on creativity in software development and product engineering. Learning to involve stakeholders and build collective alignment and collaboration. Sten’s advice on focusing on people and conversations over perfection. Common Questions: What is the difference between working in product at a smaller company and being in product at a larger company? In smaller companies, you have more direct user interaction and creativity, while larger companies require more stakeholder management and strategic alignment. What are OKRs and how did they influence Sten’s work? OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are a goal-setting framework that helped Sten and his teams stay focused and aligned. What led Sten to start Tability? His practical experience with OKRs and the desire to create a product that helps teams achieve their goals more effectively. Notable Quotes from Sten Pittet: “When a company is bigger, for you to change direction, it’s like it’s a big ship. And so if we decide to turn left, you’re moving a lot of people out of what they’re doing.” “If you try to convince a group of people, the first thing you need to do is not tell them why you think you’re right, but ask them what they think is going to go wrong.” “I think what’s good about the world is that you have like really different types of people.” “Don’t try to be perfect. One mistake that I see people doing—trying to have a perfect cascading, perfect set of forecasts, perfect everything.” “For me, OKRs and our platform, the way we see ourselves is we want to enable the right conversations.” Sten’s Links and Resources Sara's Links and Resources The No-BS OKRs Workbook, currently available as a PDF download from (USD) or (AUD) You Are A Strategist and the No-BS OKRs Workbook Join Download: Virtual OKR Consult: Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/33000372

OKR Expert Interview: Sten Pittet Turns the Tables on Sara To Talk No-BS OKRs 09/03/2024

OKR Expert Interview: Sten Pittet Turns the Tables on Sara To Talk No-BS OKRs This is a bit unconventional ... but today, the host of Thinkydoers is the guest! Please welcome Sten Pittet, Co-Founder and CEO of Tability, a collaboration platform for outcome-driven teams, as this week’s Guest Host of Thinkydoers … with OKR Coach and creator of No-BS OKRs (and Thinkydoer’s host) Sara Lobkovich in the hot seat! If you're a regular listener you might be thinking: "WTF? A platform guest?!" But hear me out. Sten is with a platform... and he's also a Thinkydoer. We've been in touch here and there for almost a year now, and when he asked during our last chat if he could interview me for a podcast episode ... I just couldn't pass up the chance to answer questions from another pro in my network. Today's episode is part one of a two-part series. Here, Sten asks me the questions he's been waiting to ask me while a recording is rolling ever since our first chat. We touch on my own journey with OKRs, including how they've shaped my career and practice, some of the challenges organizations encounter when trying to implement them, and my unique No-BS OKRs approach, which focuses in efficiency and simplicity. Sten also makes a great plug (unsolicited!) for my No-BS OKRs Workbook, which is currently available as a PDF download from (USD) or (AUD) and will be available in print later this fall, along with my first full-length release: . Come back next week for part two of the series, when I get to turn the tables and ask Sten about his Thinkydoer career, which took him from development into product management, and now into the CEO and founder role; and, about why and how Tability came to be. Episode Highlights Sara’s Journey with OKRs: From an individual contributor struggling with unclear expectations to an executive leader and consultant, Sara shares how setting measurable goals transformed her work satisfaction and effectiveness. Challenges with OKRs: Discussion of why OKRs can be challenging to implement, particularly when leaders do not model the practice. No-BS OKRs Approach: Sara explains her “No-BS OKRs” approach, focusing on simplicity and practicality, and the development of her No-BS OKRs Workbook. Upcoming Book: “You Are A Strategist” Sara talks about her upcoming book, which aims to help individuals discover their inner strategist and use OKRs as a tool for career success. Common Questions What are OKRs? OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are a goal-setting framework that helps organizations align their efforts and measure progress. Why are OKRs challenging to implement? OKRs can be challenging because there is no single "standard" or set of "rules" for implementing them; and also, when leaders do not model the practice or invest time in learning the framework. What is the No-BS OKRs approach? A pragmatic approach to OKRs that focuses on simplicity, efficiency, and usefulness to facilitate learning and improvement toward higher performance. How can OKRs benefit my career? OKRs help fill information gaps so you can spend less time mind-reading and more time focused on what's most important. They also help teams align work to important goals, and provide a shared definition of success for teams to aim for. Notable Quotes “My whole life as an individual contributor was trying to learn how to read minds because I just, I don’t know if some people can figure out what’s expected or if some people are less sensitive to that. And so they just kind of work to their inner compass, but I really struggled to understand what was expected.” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs “I fundamentally believe that every person listening to this podcast is a potential future CEO. That’s just how I approach everyone I work with.” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs “OKRs sometimes get brought in by the people just like Agile, you know, just like Scrum. And so sometimes the methodology comes in within the organization, but a lot of times OKRs come in through the C-suite or come in through the executives with a model of ‘I want more performance from our team.’” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs “When we have leaders that model those behaviors, that’s when implementations tend to be really successful, because then that’s when people in the organization see this is beneficial for me because it fills in my information gaps. It makes it easier for me to align my work to what’s important. I can be more successful.” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs “I wanted [The No-BS OKRs Workbook] to be a simple, useful way for anyone, even if they’ve never heard of an OKR before, to sit down and have support and scaffolding to walk through the steps of OKR creation for the first time.” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs “I know I am my best when I am telling the absolute truth, when I get to just call it like I see it and be honest and unfiltered and -- kind, always -- but direct and honest.” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs Sten’s Links and Resources Sara's Links and Resources The No-BS OKRs Workbook, currently available as a PDF download from (USD) or (AUD) You Are A Strategist and the No-BS OKRs Workbook Join Download: Virtual OKR Consult: Other Free No-BS OKRs Resources: /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/32869182

Self-Leadership for Individual Contributors, with Sally Ivester 08/28/2024

Self-Leadership for Individual Contributors, with Sally Ivester Are you an early- or mid-career individual contributor, curious about how to showcase your contributions and gain the recognition your work deserves? This week's guest, Sally Ivester, brings us a fresh perspective on architecting your own career successfulness -- without trying to be someone you're not. Sally is a chief of staff in big tech who had a career-transforming experience when she downshifted her approach to career before the birth of her daughter. She joins us this week to share her perspectives on making the shift to playing your career on "easy mode" for those of us more used to playing our careers on "hard mode." We talk about the subject I personally love to hate: managing up. We also discuss the importance of proactively setting and communicating boundaries, and Sally's approaches to navigating feedback and what she calls "working loudly," (including a very introvert-friendly way to do so in writing). This short episode packs a punch of career development, for listeners who are looking to upskill at playing the corporate game (without masking or playing politics in ways that don't suit you). Sally was also very generous in sharing resources with us -- check out the links below! Do you have a question or topic you'd like to see me tackle either as a solo episode or with a guest? I'm all ears. , or, ! Episode Highlights Introduction to Sally Ivester: Sally’s background and her focus on supporting early-career professionals. Managing Up: Redefining the concept of managing up without masking or changing who you are. Communicating Boundaries: The importance of setting and communicating personal boundaries at work. Working Loudly: How to effectively showcase your work and contributions. Feedback and Growth: Embracing feedback and the concept of “B+ is the new A+.” Personal Operating Model: How to create and share your personal operating model to set clear expectations. Common Questions What is managing up?: Managing up involves thinking ahead and aligning with your manager’s expectations without compromising your authenticity. How can I communicate my boundaries at work?: Proactively share your personal operating model, including your preferred communication methods and working hours. What does working loudly mean?: Working loudly means actively communicating your contributions and achievements to ensure they are recognized. How should I handle feedback?: Embrace feedback as an opportunity for growth and aim for continuous improvement rather than perfection. Notable Quotes from Guest Sally Ivester “Managing up isn’t about being pleasing; it’s about thinking ahead and aligning with your leader.” “B+ is the new A+. Embrace feedback and aim for continuous improvement.” “Working loudly means ensuring your contributions are recognized and valued.” Sally's Links and Resources A free copy of Sally's usually paid-only product, her , Sally's Maven Course Sara's Links and Resources Strategic Achievement Score Quiz: You Are A Strategist and the No-BS OKRs Workbook Download: Virtual Consult: Other Free Resources: OKR Self-Assessment: Get your /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/32771752

Cracking the OKR Code: A virtual consultation with an OKR Coach 08/20/2024

Cracking the OKR Code: A virtual consultation with an OKR Coach I know the first meeting with an Objectives and Key Results coach can be intimidating. Last week, I started building a virtual consult experience through my website and other technologies, because I know a lot of people want to learn more about working with an Objectives and Key Results coach or working with new ways of strategic planning and not everybody wants to schedule a meeting right away. Ultimately, this expereince will allow you to do a self-guided virtual consultation. I recorded a video to support that and then thought, well, this is actually great information for a podcast episode, too. Here, you’ll find answers to the three questions I’m asked in almost every consult I do with a prospect, and get a huge head start on your confidence when seeking support from an OKR coach or other OKR professional. So, give it a listen! I can't wait to hear your questions, and if you'd like a personalized virtual consult, visit , and that'll take you to my coaching portal where you can complete an intake form that kicks off your personalized virtual consult. As you're listening, jot down your thoughts about what questions you think I should answer in a virtual consult, and then send them my way. I'd love to address them either in my Frequently Asked Questions or in future versions of this virtual consult. I hope you enjoy the episode, and again, I can't wait to hear your questions. This episode is packed with practical advice and answers to common questions about OKR coaching and implementation. Episode Highlights What are OKRs?: Understanding the basics of Objectives and Key Results. Virtual Consultation Simulation: Sara simulates a consultation, explaining her methods and answering common questions. Top-Level OKRs: Starting with senior leaders to establish best practices. Senior Leadership Onboarding: Ensuring leaders can model OKR behaviors. Organization-Wide Communication: Sharing OKRs with the entire organization. Localization/Scale Phase: Adapting OKRs to different organizational levels. Common Questions: Implementation: How to start or reboot OKRs. Localization: How to cascade OKRs through the organization. Integration with Personal Goals: Aligning OKRs with individual performance management and incentive systems. Notable Quotes “OKRs are a goal-setting framework used to increase focus, clarity, and alignment within organizations.” “We start with those top-level OKRs with the senior-most leader so that we can establish what the best practice is going to look like for the rest of the organization.” “The localization approach that I use with clients is a little bit different. We establish those awesome best practice top-line goals at the top of the organization, and then we do a first level localization to the functional orgs that report into the top-level.” Links and Resources Download: Virtual Consult: Free Resources: Get your /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/32649617

News Recap: "You Are A Strategist" Book Cover Reveal, Free OKR Coaching, and No-BS OKR Coach Training! 07/31/2024

News Recap: "You Are A Strategist" Book Cover Reveal, Free OKR Coaching, and No-BS OKR Coach Training! In this Thinkydoers short, I'm sharing a few exciting updates from Red Currant Collective. For one, we just revealed the covers for my two upcoming books: the "No-BS OKRs Workbook" and "You Are A Strategist: Use No-BS Objectives and Key Results to Get Big Things Done." The Workbook, set to print in Q3, provides essential tools for creating effective OKRs quickly, while "You Are A Strategist" is a playbook for change-makers to connect strategy with goal-exceeding implementation and will fast-follow the Workbook's release -- all in time to help with your year-end reset! Highlights: Book Reveals: Sara announces the cover reveal of her two books, emphasizing the practicality of the "No-BS OKRs Workbook" and the strategic depth of "You Are A Strategist" Not Sure You're a Strategist? Think Again!: A few quick thoughts on the importance of strategic thinking in today's fast-paced business environment, and an invitation to reflect on your own strategic capabilities Live OKR Coaching: Sara shares her experience hosting a LinkedIn Live session, offering free OKR coaching, and invites listeners to participate in future sessions Coaching Course: Details are provided about the upcoming "Coaching No-BS OKRs" course, designed for those looking to enhance their OKR coaching skills Gratitude and Acknowledgements: Sara expresses gratitude for the support received during her book-writing process and teases future interview episodes for the podcast. Call to Action: Book Pre-Launch: Join the pre-launch crew for Sara's books at LinkedIn Live: Follow Sara on LinkedIn for updates on live OKR coaching sessions at Coaching Course Registration: Apply for the upcoming "Coaching No-BS OKRs" course at Podcast Participation: If you're interested in being a guest on Thinkydoers, use the link in the show notes to express your interest: Closing Thoughts: Sara encourages listeners to focus on their important goals and looks forward to sharing more insights in the next episode. For more information, or to pitch a guest appearance on this podcast, please visit: /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/32358122

How to Suck Less As A Manager, with Ben Arendt 07/17/2024

How to Suck Less As A Manager, with Ben Arendt Want to suck less as a manager? Or, do you work with a manager who sucks? Either way, you are NOT alone. Many managers struggle to become good at the difficult job of management: whether it stems from insufficient self-awareness, ineffective communication skills, or a lack of necessary tools, Ben Arendt believes that all managers have a responsibility to improve themselves for the benefit of their careers and the teams they lead. Ben is Principal Consultant at Depth Charge Consulting and author of the recently-released book: How to Suck Less as a Manager: A Practical Guide to Making Your Team Less Miserable Today! In this episode, you’ll learn practical strategies that managers can take right now to better understand, communicate with, and support their teams. Ben highlights the far-reaching impact of leadership and management, we discuss the importance of intellectual humility and the role that vulnerability plays in leadership, as well as his some tips for managing yourself when your manager sucks. We also take a side trip into why we both believe leaders should increase their awareness around skills for working with diverse teams and disabled team members, and a few insights on leading and being led while neurodivergent. From fostering a positive work environment to driving team performance, this conversation is full of valuable insights that can transform your leadership approach today. Ready to take the first step towards becoming a more effective and inspiring manager? You're in the right place. Key Points From This Episode: An overview of Ben’s fascinating career journey and how it led him to write this book. The self-awareness and continuous self-improvement required to be a better manager. How listening to and learning from others can help you develop intellectual humility. Why difficult conversations with diverse groups of people are key to a leader’s success. Three types of activities managers need to do to improve their craft. Practical advice for those who are dealing with managers that suck. Why Sara coaches that “productive struggling” may be a learning step, but sufferring at work is not acceptable. Ben's basic toolkit for better communication skills. Strength in vulnerability: why leaders should embrace emotional transparency. Why you should probably never be the smartest person in the room as a manager or leader. Pro tips for leaders and aspiring leaders who are neurodivergent or "wired differently." Major setbacks that helped to propel Ben forward in his career. Three key similarities between OKRs and being a better manager. Quotes: “If you don't care, you don't deserve to be here [in management]. If you're not willing to listen to other people, you're probably going to do a bad job.” — Ben Arendt [09:50] “Communication, as sophisticated as it is, is imperfect. There are a lot of things that we as managers – can do better, both to help people be [motivated and engaged], but also get them the things that they want so that their careers improve down the line.” — Ben Arendt [15:50] “There are a lot of people that should not be in leadership [who] have become managers because that was just the next step in their career.” — Ben Arendt [18:38] “Getting a diversity of thought and perspective is not value signaling. It's an imperative.” — Ben Arendt [24:18] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/32165927

Real People, Real Stories: OKR Coach and Specialist Jason Johnston (Part 2) 07/09/2024

Real People, Real Stories: OKR Coach and Specialist Jason Johnston (Part 2) How do you find balance as a Thinkydoer with a busy, curious, learning-focused brain? Today, we explore this question (and more) as I continue my insightful conversation with Jason Johnston, OKR Practice Lead at Genetec. (If you missed Part 1, pop back to Episode 17 and then come back here after.) Tuning in, you’ll discover some of the most profound lessons from Jason’s unique and varied career. From facing a career-altering setback J.J. considers his "greatest professional accomplishment," to finding new paths forward, his journey demonstrates the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. Join us as we explore how personal passions outside of work--whether it's building LEGO, climbing mountains, or repairing antique typewriters -- can recharge our professional lives, and why disconnecting and taking proper breaks is essential for reconnecting with our intrinsic motivation. Don't miss this enriching conversation as we dive deep into the human side of leadership! Key Points From This Episode: How to check out . What Jason considers to be his greatest professional accomplishment. The biggest learnings that have propelled him forward. Navigating setbacks and how to have a learning-focused career. Lessons for making OKR work sustainable, including recharging outside of work. How taking meaningful breaks can help you reconnect with your intrinsic motivation. Sara and Jason’s mutual love for LEGO! How having the mentality of a four-year-old benefits Jason’s well-being. Jason’s top book recommendations. Quotes: “It is a failure, [but] I think the success comes [from] realizing that I didn't have control over it, and it's not my fault. Why should I let this get me down? You’ve got to keep going. You’ve got to keep moving.” — Jason Johnston [05:52] “It's about cutting yourself off completely [and] giving your brain time to think and do something else.” — Jason Johnston [08:38] “Take what it is that you love, disconnect, and go do it. Make it big, whatever it is. Make it big. Make it worth a four-year-old's mentality.” — Jason Johnston [12:14] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/31972537

Meet an OKR Coach: Jason Johnston (Part One) 07/02/2024

Meet an OKR Coach: Jason Johnston (Part One) Establishing clear objectives and key results (OKRs) isn't just about direction and accountability. It’s about driving real change within organizations. Today’s episode kicks off our two-part conversation with the delightful Jason Johnston, OKR Practice Lead for Genetec, a technology company in the security products and solutions space. Jason is also a veteran whose 20-year military career has given him a unique perspective on leadership and problem-solving. Join us as Jason shares his insights on fostering an environment where OKRs can thrive, the challenges of shifting from a task-oriented to an outcome-oriented mindset, and the critical role of leadership in guiding teams. We also explore how positive reinforcement and diverse perspectives on outcomes can drive success and why so many OKR practitioners exemplify servant leadership. Tune in to discover practical tips and inspiring stories from Jason’s journey, and learn how to navigate the complexities of OKRs in your own work environment! Key Points From This Episode: A quick update: How to check out the new . Insight into Jason’s role as the OKR Practice Lead at Genetec. Why he’s a self-described servant leader and why that’s often the case for OKR practitioners. How he first started working with OKRs and got his company to create a position for him. Driving change within a company by leading others rather than doing the work for them. Jason’s unique career background and what initially attracted him to the practice of OKRs. Lessons on heroism and preparation from his military career (and how it relates to OKRs). The adaptive nature of Jason’s work environment: how it has facilitated his career transitions. How the changed Jason’s approach to OKRs and made it more intuitive. The biggest challenges Jason has seen when it comes to implementing OKRs. Using leadership to help people shift from a task-oriented to an outcome-oriented mindset. Why existing metrics aren’t always adequate for measuring outcomes and leading indicators. Key aspects of OKRs that have made a difference in Jason’s life and work. How continuous learning and service leadership among OKR practitioners foster positivity. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: & Quotes: “I consider myself a servant-leader, that’s how I function and how I act. I get my success from others succeeding. I don’t get my success from me succeeding.” — Jason Johnston [07:35] “If we want to create real change in anything we’re doing, especially in the companies we’re in, somebody has to drive it.” — Jason Johnston [14:03] “The really kind of changed the way I look at OKRs and [made] it more intuitive.” — Jason Johnston [22:28] “We have to put as much emphasis on the things that we accomplish as well as the things we don’t accomplish. And the process built around that is important.” — Jason Johnston [37:02] /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/31972027

Creating Leading Indicators in High-Stakes Settings with Elena Chopyak 05/21/2024

Creating Leading Indicators in High-Stakes Settings with Elena Chopyak One of the most challenging things for people to wrap their heads around when learning to create No-BS OKRs is the power of progress key results, otherwise known as leading indicators. But leading indicators serve as critical data that may give you objective data on which to assess your progress, and, to inform decisionmaking. Today’s guest is Elena Chopyak, a self-professed "data nerd," who I met through our mutual friend Rachel. When Rachel introduced Elena to me as an expert in leading indicators, I couldn't schedule a coffee talk fast enough. That coffee talk turned into an invitation back for this podcast episode. Aside from Elena's wiring for data and analysis, her career history also follows the Thinkydoer pattern: a winding, multidisciplinary path included interest in working outside the U.S., and curiosity in the emergency humanitarian space, which ultimately lead her to working with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Iraq for two years. She was brought on in a monitoring and evaluation role in child protection and education, where she became responsible for instrumenting, monitoring, and reporting on important indicators to assess impact; and then moved into a role in IRC's emergency response team that was focused both on monitoring and informing decisions about natural disaster and armed conflict responses (as well as deploying, herself). In this episode, you’ll hear about Elena's experiences and learnings working with leading indicators in high-stakes settings, tips for creating leading indicators that are useful and actionable, and, more about her self-described "squiggly" career. Also: the No-BS OKRs Workbook is live; we're getting ready to launch our No-BS OKRs Self-Assessment Tool; and the best way to keep track of what's happening with Thinkydoers and No-BS OKRs is to ! Key Points From This Episode: How Elena ended up in the nonprofit space working on leading indicators. What drew her to the data and analytics side of nonprofit work. The purpose that leading indicators serve in resource-constrained companies. Challenges of creating leading indicators that provide actionable data. Two ways to determine whether or not an indicator is useful. Why there is no such thing as a perfect decision, even in high-stakes settings. Working back from your ‘why’ and other pro tips for creating leading indicators. Reasons that intentionality and testing are so important. Setbacks that ended up propelling Elena’s career forward. The value of having thought partners and focusing on tangible change. How continuous learning and mentorship can benefit your career. Quotes: “It’s important not to wait until something is a full-blown emergency and has made it to the news – One of our responsibilities is to be prepared – That’s why [leading indicators are] so important.” — Elena Chopyak [11:25] “We don’t create leading indicators so that we have pretty numbers on a dashboard in any setting. We create leading indicators because we’re going to use them to inform a decision.” — [15:50] “It comes back to thinking about the why. Why are you going to collect this [data]? Who is going to look at it? Who is using it? – Who is actually going to make any actionable change based on the data you’re collecting?” — Elena Chopyak [20:33] “If you have a squiggly career, just know there are people who appreciate that. There are people who themselves have linear careers and don’t understand you. That’s fine, but there are those people out there who will appreciate your varied background.” — Elena Chopyak [27:22] /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/31392127

Prepare for Q2 with Sara Lobkovich and No-BS OKRs 03/13/2024

Stress and Resilience with Dat Tran 12/05/2023

Stress and Resilience with Dat Tran The long-term stress sustained during and since the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a serious impact on our collective wellbeing. The American Psychological Association’s annual “Stress in America” report this year shared that “APA psychologists widely agreed there is mounting evidence that our society is experiencing the psychological impacts of a collective trauma.” In our personal and professional lives – especially for those of us who possess an “overthinky” brain -- we’re experiencing high levels of stress, overwhelm, and burnout. To help us understand these issues (and what we can do to resolve them), we’re joined by , an inspiring leadership coach and speaker (and fellow Thinkydoer). After more than a decade in the consulting and global strategy world, Dat discovered that the path to realizing his purpose focuses on inclusion and resilience. Today, he empowers leaders and organizations to reach their peak potential with well-being as a central focus. Since taking the stage for the first time in 2022, he has delivered over 50 keynotes and workshops, reaching thousands of people at leading companies and organizations worldwide. In this episode, Dat offers insight into the relationship between stress and resilience, provides us with a practical framework for managing stress, and shares some easy-to-understand examples to help us understand the risks of burying or processing stress without releasing it. To transform how you manage stress in your everyday life, become more resilient, and propel yourself toward higher performance and wellness, tune in today. Key Points From This Episode: Insight into Dat’s vision and the role of inclusively and resiliency in his practice. His experience of stress and burnout on the path to becoming a life coach. Ways that neurodivergent people may excel at simplifying complex information. An understanding of the relationship between stress and resilience. What Gabor Maté teaches us about trauma and healing. Bury, release, process: three options for managing stress. Surprisingly simple ways to release stress mentally, emotionally, and physically. Why there is no “perfect” way to release; get creative! Risks of processing stress without release, particularly for over-thinkers. The significance of play, sleep, passion, and community. How to intentionally design your life to release and process stress. Dat’s advice for knowing when and how to speak and show up. /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/28932133

OKRs in Context: Do OKRs co-exist with other methodologies? 10/31/2023

OKRs in Context: Do OKRs co-exist with other methodologies? One of the first jobs to be done when implementing (or rebooting) OKRs is to identify how they fit into an organization’s existing planning “stack” and get clear about what job they’re being hired to do. This episode is based on chapter three of Sara Lobkovich’s upcoming book, The Evolutionary OKRs Playbook, which focuses on what is possible with Evolutionary OKRs®. You’ll be introduced to the first of three models that Sara uses every day in her work with organizations implementing OKRs: the Connected Strategic® Implementation Stack. You’ll learn about each layer of this stack, how it applies to individual projects and initiatives, why some organizations may struggle with OKRs, and why you don’t necessarily need to have every element in the stack present to be successful. Today’s episode offers you a chance to reflect on your organization's Strategic Stack, what elements might be most important to prioritize to increase shared meaning and understanding, and what elements you might want to consider adding to increase your organization’s strategic alignment and impact. Be sure to stay tuned for future episodes on the other two models: Connected Strategy on a Page and OKR Maturity! Key Points From This Episode: Why it’s important to identify how OKRs fit into an organization’s existing planning stack. Three models to consider, starting with the Connected Strategic Implementation Stack. Unpacking each layer of the stack: strategic input, North Star Metrics, and more. Some of the typical sources of aversion to OKRs that Sara sees in organizations. Defining mandatory commits, health watch measures, and stretch goals. How delivery fits into the Connected Strategic Implementation Stack. Why you don’t need to tick every box in this stack in order to be successful. Stay tuned for more on the Connected Strategy on a Page and OKR Maturity models! Also: don't miss out -- No BS OKRs Annual Reset Edition registration closes on November 5th, so if you'd like help with your 2023 retrospective and 2024 OKR creation, join us for this practical, applied, OKR creation workshop: /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/28469054

Playbook Chapter Two - What are Objectives and Key Results OKRs 08/29/2023

The Evolutionary OKRs Playbook Chapter One: How did we get here? 08/15/2023

The Evolutionary OKRs Playbook Chapter One: How did we get here? After years of writing alone and then sharing my work on the Evolutionary OKRs Playbook with (wonderful, patient) beta readers, with this rewrite I’m doing something different. It’s time to write (and read) in public. Certain chapters of the book are being ; then after a week or two, some will be shared , , and here, as Thinkydoers podcast episodes. As terrifying as this is for me personally, it’s time. The final rewrite is buzzing along, I’ve got a target date for the v1 eBook release if I keep up at this writing and editing pace, and it’s necessary to get this thing out so it can help the people who need it. So here in this episode, I’m sharing the first full chapter, Chapter One: Objectives and Key Results: How did we get here? And if you don't want to wait for the public release of each chapter, you can get the early peek by joining our newsletter at . Show notes are available at and you can read the first chapter via the . Key Points From This Episode: • My excitement to bring you chapter one of Sara’s Evolutionary OKRs Playbook. • The resources that we’re planning on offering for the rest of the year and in 2024. • How many of us stumble into OKRs • Why I'm an emphatic OKR activist. • A sneak peek for next week: why should you adopt a glossary of OKR terms at the very beginning of implementation. Quotes: “Incoherence is my kryptonite.” — [08:22] “The transparency with which I'll share my approaches, tools, and tactics, as well as the why behind them in this book may just put my consulting business out of business.” — [10:16] “I hope that at some point you take a step back from the day-to-day labor of your work and think a bit about what changed world you'd like to see someday. What difference would you like to make? How would you like to leave your community, career, or self better than you find it now?” — [10:37] /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/27753903

When "OKRs Don't Work" 06/13/2023

When "OKRs Don't Work" Fun fact: While I am an OKR activist, I'm not an OKR dogmatist. If OKRs "aren't working" in your organization, I'll be the first to support your decision to change course to an approach that works better for your organization. Frequently, though, I see organizations reach a stage where they're frustrated with their OKR implementation -- and the time of year I see the "OKRs aren't working" phase kick in is at mid-year, when we're looking at our annual company strategic plans or OKRs that may have been set six or seven months ago and questioning: "What's the value of OKRs, if they've become this off course?" I'm having these conversations with a number of clients right now, so if you're a client and you think this episode is about you, what you're experiencing may be part of what inspired this episode, but this episode is not about you -- it's about a lot of you. 😂 Many teams reach this stage and then overfocus on what's not working in our OKR operations: with tracking, reporting, and our OKR software or systems. What's most valuable when your organization reaches this stage is to take advantage of having six months worth of data for us to assess our progress thanks to our Objectives and Key Results, AND, examine and apply our half-year of learnings during our mid-year reset, to improve our Objectives and Key Results, our OKR behaviors, AND our OKR operations instead of abandoning them. If the job we've hired OKRs to do is to increase our clarity and objectivity about what shared progress and success mean -- which is the highest and best use of OKRs -- then when organizations reach the "OKRs aren't working" phase, we have a chance to take a good hard look at our OKRs themselves, and, our behaviors. One of the most common issues I see in this phase is that teams are not yet letting OKRs do that job they were hired to do: they may still be stuck in task & activity quicksand, and have not yet taken the step into aligning on actual objective measures of progress and success. If that's the case, it's not that your OKRs aren't working: it's that you're not yet using OKRs! This episode is timely: many of us are navigating our mid-year resets and struggling with frustration; here, I share a few areas of focus you can consider to infuse your OKR reset with new energy and optimism, to help you refresh your Objectives and Key Results to help your organization finish the year strong! Full show notes and links are available at and . Does this spark questions or thoughts? I'd love to hear from you. Contact me via ! /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/27129576

KPIs vs. OKRs: What's the difference between KPIs and Key Results? 05/16/2023

Introducing Evolutionary OKRs 03/08/2023

Introducing Evolutionary OKRs Today, we take a step back and answer the obvious question: what are Evolutionary Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) and why are they important? OKRs are a method for setting collaborative, objectively measurable goals made popular by the book Measure What Matters, which creates enormous excitement about the potential of OKRs, but leaves many teams and leaders frustrating trying to figure out how to implement them. This episode introduces the Red Currant Collective brand of OKRs: Evolutionary OKRs. Evolutionary OKRs are designed to create meaningful change and help organizations transform and actually do better. Tuning in, you’ll hear about how OKRs started and how they became widely used before we break down the differences between Evolutionary OKRs and other forms of planning. You’ll learn more about the characteristics of great OKRs and how they can benefit both corporate performance and individuals. We further discuss the differences between Objectives and Key Results, the qualities of strong Objectives, what we consider "Textbook Key Results," and examples of both. If you would like an introduction to OKRs to share with your colleagues, your leaders, and other stakeholders, or even just a reminder of the basics for yourself, this episode is for you! Key Points From This Episode: An introduction to what OKRs are and how they became widely used. The benefits of OKRs for individuals. Differences between OKRs and other forms of planning. Characteristics of great OKRs, starting with why they should fit on a page. Why objectives are directional and key results are measurable. An example OKR cadence for an organization. Defining objectives, the qualities of strong objectives, and some examples. What “watermelon metrics” are and how measurable key results can help us avoid them. A definition of key results. What “textbook key results” are, why we aim for them, and a few examples. How you can find out more about Evolutionary OKRs. Tweetables: “In addition to being a collaborative goal-setting methodology, we think of OKRs as a thinking, deciding, and learning practice that helps us achieve greater growth, transformation and innovation by aligning on our most important measures of progress and success.” — @saralobkovich [0:05:36] “Evolutionary OKRs mean thinking deeply about what's important and what might be possible. Identifying which measures of progress and success help us make better decisions in our work and organizations.” — @saralobkovich [0:05:54] “OKRs let us define our own success and progress measures even when external expectations aren’t clear. They help us focus on what's most important, not only what's urgent.” — @saralobkovich [0:06:27] “Think of objectives like strategic or visionary pillars. Added together, they describe what's most important for us to make progress on so that we are moving toward achieving our strategic priorities.” — @saralobkovich [0:12:48] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Code: b8f85fdd197a5360df3e2f89440315c330c28ef3 /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/26161734

Architecting Change: Rethinking the role of goals in achieving necessary change 12/08/2022

Architecting Change: Rethinking the role of goals in achieving necessary change We talk a lot around here about Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), and in this episode, we dive into an adjacent topic: the role that goal setting can play in making a case for and achieving important change in our organizations. The audio for this episode is from a LinkedIn Live that I hosted recently (if you'd like to hear about our every-other Wednesday Live gatherings, ). Those Live sessions are geared toward changemaker leaders and strategic implementors within organizations who are hungry for ways to increase change effectiveness, increase employee engagement, and spend more time focused on achievement of their most important priorities. In this episode, we look at: A few of the factors that make change hard for people and teams; Separating myth from fact about goal setting for change; The importance of shifting how we think about goals from a win-lose mindset to a win-learn mindset; I share some important tips for changemakers to increase their effectiveness at making the case for and achieving change in their work; And share a set of key questions you can use to unblock change. I also share some updates about opportunities to work with me this month to help set your 2023 up for success: Join us for the week-long focused on achieving change, which kicks off next week (asynchronously on Dec 12, first workshop on Dec 13); We have two very rare individual coaching slots available in our monthly membership 1:1 coaching schedule; and I'm in the early stages of planning a cohort of our deep-dive Leading the Connected Strategic Organization learning series specifically for people who are neurodivergent. This course is for people leaders (and aspiring people leaders) who want to improve their skills with communicating expectations clearly; leading through conflict; and leading their teams for growth and high performance. This class and what we practice in it are helpful for all leaders, but we're hearing especially positive feedback from autistic participants, leaders with ADHD, and people who have cognitive impacts from trauma. The approaches we learn and practice give leaders a toolkit they can adapt to their work (and fills in a lot of blanks for many of us who have struggled to develop effective leadership and management mechanics) to reduce the cognitive overhead of leading people and help us refocus on goal achievement and leading our teams for growth. For more information on any of the above, find me at or email . Show notes and transcript are slightly delayed, but will follow tomorrow (Friday) at . /episode/index/show/fromthinktodo/id/25269486

Thinkydoers®: OKRs, Strategy & Career Support When You're Wired Differently

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