Strategy you’ll actually use

Finally, a strategic framework that connects big-picture thinking to everyday decisions, for every person in your organization.

The Connected Strategic Stack

Bridge the gap between vision and results with a one-page strategy you’ll actually use.

No-BS OKRs

Create clear expectations and an inspired objective definition of progress and success… whether you’re a solopreneur or a Fortune 100 CEO.

No-BS Strategic Execution

Strategy built by executives and consultants looks great on slides, but rarely answers the questions necessary for people who actually do the work.

We build strategy from the bottom up, starting with the three questions teams most need answers to that most strategic plans fail to answer.

  • Strategies are often aspirational, usually lengthy documents that communicate insights and plans — but rarely with prioritization clear enough to meet the needs of executional teams. It’s also common for leaders to struggle when asked point blank for prioritization clarity, because “everything is a priority.”

    Starting with “What’s most important” means we start with a blank page and identify priorities from there instead of starting with a list and prioritizing it.

    If a goal, initiative, or project doesn’t come up during a “What’s most important” conversation, that doesn’t mean it’s not important — plenty of run-the-business work won’t be top of mind — but it does mean that it’s not likely a critical growth, transformation, or innovation effort that demands an OKR.

  • When strategies do clearly identify what’s most important, they rarely answer the important next question:

    “Why does that matter?”

    That question and its answer provide vital information to guide implementation — clarity that teams can use to inform their decisionmaking. Aligning on the “why” also gives everyone in the organization a better understanding of their shared purpose, and helps connect the dots on why the work matters.

  • It’s rare to see objectively measurable goals as a routine part of strategic implementation plans. When goals are present, they often lack sufficient detail — are they mandatory or stretch goals? Are they truly measurable (and instrumented for measurement)?

    For an analogy: in athletics, teams are fundamentally aligned through focus on the “win” they’re aiming to achieve. They work together toward objective progress goals to inform training and preparation, toward readiness to “win.”

    In business, too often, teams receive an assignment or kick off a project with a brief that’s focused on activity — what’s to be done — and the only progress data is the subjective estimation of percentage complete.

    When businesses set and align goals like a sports team, they align on what might be incredible to achieve (what “winning” might mean); and what progress benchmarks they’re aiming to achieve — and which signal whether they’re on or off track (in the form of empirically measurable progress goals).

    Aligning on what it might mean to succeed wildly lets teams build their map toward the same destination, together.

Results-focused practices for people who want to actually do better, not just make numbers look good.

I work with:

Leaders, chiefs of staff, and solopreneurs focused on improving human experiences and outcomes.

Who need:

Efficient, effective ways to quickly align and measurably improve performance.

I help them:

  • Make more strategic decisions, by distilling the most important information teams need to execute down to a single piece of paper

  • Establish a shared language for high-performance goal setting, from the CEO to the summer intern

  • Improve employee engagement and impact by connecting the dots on how their work matters.

Applied strategy that translates into real results

  • "Sara took the time to understand the dynamics at work within our group. She was able to quickly understand and playback those dynamics that informed a learning agenda that inspired and educated a team of senior managers. She presents with confidence and empathy at a pace that is focused and never rushed."

    Company Confidential, Fortune 500 Strategy Team

  • "Each session was extremely productive, even without advance preparation. I had actionable takeaways starting with the first session. And Sara turned a stressful process into a fun one! "

    Michelle Vitus, Founder & CEO, Slate

  • "Think of Sara as your friendly guide through the intimidating world of metrics-driven OKR's; she skillfully demystifies the topic with empathy and encouragement, tackling tough, honest questions from our team without sugarcoating anything."

    Carley Thomas, Developer Network Strategy & Operations at Twilio

  • "Sara is very knowledgeable about OKR methodology and its implementation in complex, multi-layered organizations. She is clearly interested in making clients succeed. Her experience with diverse clients allows her to answer questions in an insightful way."

    Director Strategy & Planning, Pearson International Product Mgmt. 

Meet Sara Lobkovich

Strategy Facilitator, OKR Coach, Author, Motorcycle Road Racing Team Principal

As an employee, I struggled to understand what was expected of me.

As an executive, I felt a constant tension between my team’s needs and the sometimes arbitrary, always ambiguous goals and direction we had to align to.

And as a strategist, I struggled to see and communicate the quantitative value and impact of my work.

One day, during a period of burnout, I decided to create one selfish goal, just for my own satisfaction and edification.

Something that both benefitted my work, and increased my enthusiasm to get out of bed and get to work every morning. And that goal happened to be an objectively measurable, stretch goal.

See an example Connected Strategic Stack with No-BS OKRs

Are No-BS OKRs Right for You?

Or, might another approach work better? Answer seven quick questions to reveal your path to clearer direction, better alignment, and real results.