Meet an OKR Coach: Jason Johnston (Part One)
Thinkydoers®
Embracing the Unknown in OKRs
Exploring the significance of focusing on the mysteries within business when developing Objectives and Key Results (OKRs), with insights shared on successful team implementations and the positive impact of learning from failures in the OKR coaching model.
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 No-BS OKR Self-Assessment tool.
- 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 No-BS OKR class 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:
- Genetec
- Jason Johnston on LinkedIn
- Red Currant No-BS OKR Self-Assessment Tool
- Measure What Matters
- Christina Wodke & Radical Focus
- Sara Lobkovich
- Sara Lobkovich Email Address
- Sara Lobkovich on Mastadon
- Red Currant Collective
- Sign up for RedCurrant’s newsletter
- Red Currant Collective on Instagram
- Thinkydoers
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 No-BS OKRs class 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]
Mentioned in this episode:
Don't forget your free No-BS OKRs Workbook
Before I let you go, I just wanna remind you, you can pick up your copy of "You Are a Strategist: Use No-BS OKRs to Get Big Things Done" at https://youareastrategist.com, and you'll get that free PDF of the "No-BS OKRs Workbook" when you purchase direct. Don't wanna DIY it? Book a VIP executive strategy day with me. They can be used one-on-one. It can be used to facilitate an in-person or remote event with your org. It can also be used for a keynote that inspires actual results for your upcoming event. Visit https://findrc.co/vipday for all the details. And from there you can book a free executive strategy intake call, or request a no meeting virtual consult. A VIP executive strategy day helps you unlock clarity, align quickly, and drive results in just one powerful day.
Don't forget: Get your free No-BS OKRs Workbook or schedule a VIP Strategy Day!
Before I let you go, I just wanna remind you, you can pick up your copy of "You Are a Strategist: Use No-BS OKRs to Get Big Things Done" at https://youareastrategist.com, and you'll get that free PDF of the "No-BS OKRs Workbook" when you purchase direct. Don't wanna DIY it? Book a VIP executive strategy day with me. They can be used one-on-one. It can be used to facilitate an in-person or remote event with your org. It can also be used for a keynote that inspires actual results for your upcoming event. Visit https://findrc.co/vipday for all the details. And from there you can book a free executive strategy intake call, or request a no meeting virtual consult. A VIP executive strategy day helps you unlock clarity, align quickly, and drive results in just one powerful day.
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