Giant Talk: The World‘s First OKR Podcast S10: E14 What If We Stopped Calling Them OKRs?
Jun 30, 2025
Marc Applebaum, a PM2 OKR Consultant with a psychology background, joins Roger Longden for a deep dive into the world of goal-setting. They challenge the complexity surrounding OKRs, advocating for clarity and simplicity. The conversation highlights the importance of diverse perspectives in OKR implementation and the need for psychological safety in fostering collaboration. They explore how meaningful objectives enhance team engagement and propose involving mid-level leaders to drive motivation and ownership. Forget the jargon—let’s focus on intention!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Name Isn't What Matters
- The name OKRs is less important than the principles behind them.
- Success depends on clear targets, alignment, and shared understanding, not the acronym itself.
Allow Imperfection at Start
- Accept that OKRs won't be perfect initially and focus on starting the process.
- Use OKRs as a flexible tool to adapt and learn over time.
Set Leadership Norms Early
- Set shared agreements and explicit expectations within leadership teams upfront.
- Cultivate trust to sustain transparency and accountability throughout the OKR process.