S5: E16 In conversation with Measure What Matters Lisa Shufro
Feb 24, 2021
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Lisa Shufro, Chief Storyteller with Measure What Matters, discusses the role of storytelling in OKRs and the integration of OKRs with Andy Grove's approach. They also talk about aligning Key Results with desired outcomes, the importance of confidence and effective KRs, and how to overcome challenges and build a supportive OKR community.
OKRs should be used as a tool for learning, collaboration, and driving breakthrough thinking, and not as proof for bonuses or traditional performance management processes.
When setting OKRs, it is essential to keep them simple and outcome-focused, ensuring that the key results work together and balance quantity with quality.
Deep dives
The Importance of OKRs in the Organization
OKRs are a vital part of the organization's growth and change process. They are used by the team to track progress, make meetings more productive, and ensure alignment. Implementing OKRs involves iterative improvement and learning from failures. The discipline of setting ambitious and outcome-oriented goals helps teams achieve higher levels of performance. It is important to understand that OKRs should not be confused with traditional performance management processes or be used as proof for bonuses. Instead, OKRs should be used as a tool for learning, collaboration, and driving breakthrough thinking.
Best Practices for Setting Effective OKRs
When setting OKRs, it is essential to keep them simple and outcome-focused. The objective should be expressed in poetic and concise terms to make a strong connection. Defining the essence of the business or team's mission is key. It is also important to view OKRs as a set, ensuring that the key results work together and balance quantity with quality. Another best practice is to understand that OKRs are not a static plan but a part of an ongoing dialogue. Constant communication and reorientation are necessary to stay focused on what matters most.
Avoiding Pitfalls and Fostering Success with OKRs
One common pitfall is turning everything into an OKR, focusing more on tracking activity rather than outcomes. It is important to distinguish between project management and OKRs, as they serve different purposes. OKRs are about the journey and the breakthroughs, while project management focuses on executing the work plan. Embracing failures and mistakes as part of the learning process is crucial. Organizations should create a culture that encourages risk-taking, adaptation, and continuous improvement. The key is to measure what matters, maintain a growth-oriented mindset, and constantly adapt and learn from the OKR experience.
Integrating OKRs and Performance Management
It is advised to separate OKRs from traditional performance management processes. While OKRs can inform performance reviews, they should not be the sole criterion for bonuses or evaluations. The focus of performance management should be on long-term outcomes, job responsibilities, and team leadership skills. OKRs should be seen as a tool for driving growth and change rather than a measurement of individual performance. It is important to foster a collaborative environment where OKRs are integrated into day-to-day conversations and decision-making, rather than just being reviewed once a month.
In today's episode of Giant Talk we talk to Lisa Shufro, Chief Storyteller with Measure What Matters.
It’s fair to say most people who look to OKRs buy Measure What Matters, they probably
don’t all read it, but they’ve skimmed enough of it to think they ‘get OKRs and have an
opinion’. We dig into this with Lisa and some fascinating discussions around the philosophy of OKRs from Measure What Matters.
The OKR Professionals' Community - Bringing together like minded OKR professionals to share and learn from each other, and work to raise the bar of global OKR practice. Learn more.
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