OKR coaching that changes behavior, not just goals
Most OKR implementations fail because they focus on the framework instead of the people using it. An experienced OKR coach helps your team actually change how they work — and builds internal capability to sustain it.
What does an OKR coach do?
An OKR coach helps organizations implement Objectives and Key Results in a way that actually changes how people work — not just how they write goals.
Beyond the framework
Anyone can Google the OKR framework. An experienced coach helps you navigate the messy reality of getting busy people to change their habits, meetings, and decision-making.
Behavioral change focus
Good OKR coaching isn't about perfect goal statements — it's about changing how your leadership team operates, how decisions get made, and how progress gets tracked.
Building internal capability
The goal is your self-sufficiency, not dependency. A skilled OKR coach trains your people to sustain the practice themselves.
Signs you might need an OKR coach
- Your OKRs live in a spreadsheet nobody looks at
- "Alignment" lasted until the first fire drill
- People nod in meetings, then go back to business as usual
- Quarterly reviews feel like status pageants, not strategy sessions
- You're not sure if OKRs are working or just creating more reporting overhead
- You tried OKRs before and they didn't stick
The problem usually isn't the framework. It's that frameworks don't change behavior. People do — with the right support.
Experience and Results
How to work with an OKR coach
Different situations call for different levels of support. Here are the most common paths:
OKR Training
Learn the methodology, build OKRs yourself, and get expert feedback to keep you on track. Best for teams who want to own the process and build internal capability.
- Self-paced course + workbook
- Remote or in-person workshops
- "How are we doing?" OKR Reviews
Done-with-You Consulting
Build your OKRs with an experienced coach beside you. Skip the trial-and-error year and get it right the first time. Best for complex situations or when getting it right matters most.
- Expert-guided OKR creation
- Company-level or full localization
- Implementation support included
In-Person No-BS OKRs Kickoff
Expert facilitation for your leadership offsite. Get started with OKRs — or reset after a failed attempt — with someone who's done this hundreds of times.
- 1-3 day facilitated sessions
- Cross-functional alignment
- Finished OKRs + action plan
Not sure which path is right?
A 25-minute Q&A to see if this is the right approach for your situation. Your questions, real answers, zero pressure.
Book a Q&A Call →Credentials & Experience
- OKR Master Coach
- Author: "You Are a Strategist"
- 2,000+ coaches trained across 300+ organizations
- 500+ hours of group facilitation
- 96% positive post-engagement feedback
- National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach
- Advanced Training in Conflict Management (Kilmann Diagnostics)
What clients say
"Working with Sara to gain clarity on our organization's OKRs was incredibly insightful and, if I'm being honest, fun. She has a gift for helping you focus on what truly matters, and she kept us engaged and thinking throughout the process. We walked away with a clear direction and, more importantly, the confidence to execute."
"Thank you so much. I loved every minute of your training and being able to engage in some of your office hours. I've asked a lot of questions and challenged the methodology. (It's just my nature.) What you've helped me see is that OKRs don't need to be so intimidating. Just trust the process."
"I think your approach to that has been really unique and successful. You have a leader who is a learner. That's been part of the accelerant here."
"This OKR process has been very helpful for me and one of the best experiences I've had in setting objectives."
What makes this OKR coaching different
Behavioral, not theoretical
The No-BS OKRs methodology focuses on changing how people actually work — their decision-making, their meetings, their follow-through. Not just how they write goal statements.
Self-sufficiency is the goal
I'm training your people to sustain this themselves — not creating reliance on an outside consultant. Most clients are running independently within 6-12 months.
Honest feedback
Including when OKRs aren't the right tool. I'll tell you what I actually think will help, not what keeps the engagement going.
Mid-market focus
I specialize in organizations with 200-2,000 employees — complex enough to need real alignment, small enough to actually change.
Frequently asked questions about OKR coaching
What's the difference between an OKR coach and an OKR consultant? +
The terms are often used interchangeably, but there's a useful distinction:
Consulting is typically project-based — I come in, help you build something specific, and leave. Think "build your OKRs with expert guidance."
Coaching is often ongoing support as you implement and iterate. Think "help you get better at OKRs over time."
Many engagements blend both: you might start with a consulting project to get OKRs set up, then transition to periodic coaching to sustain and improve your practice.
How do I know if I need an OKR coach or just training? +
Ask yourself: Do we need to learn how to do this, or do we need a skilled guide beside us while we do it?
If your team has the capacity and appetite to create OKRs yourselves — and you mainly need the methodology and frameworks — training is likely enough.
If you want to avoid the trial-and-error, get it right faster, or have tried before and struggled — expert guidance is probably the better path.
What if we've already tried OKRs and they didn't work? +
Most "failed" OKR implementations fail for the same reasons: too many OKRs, activities instead of outcomes, no connection to actual decisions, or treating it as a reporting exercise instead of a behavior change initiative.
I specialize in helping organizations diagnose what went wrong and try again — differently. Sometimes OKRs aren't the right tool. I'll tell you if that's the case.
How much does OKR coaching cost? +
It depends on the scope and format. Options range from self-paced training (hundreds of dollars per person) to comprehensive consulting engagements (tens of thousands for the full organization).
See the pricing page for specific options, or book a free consultation to discuss what makes sense for your situation.
Can you work with our internal OKR champion or Chief of Staff? +
Absolutely. I often work with the "Force Multiplier" — the Chief of Staff, program manager, or OKR champion who's responsible for making this work day-to-day. Helping them build confidence and capability as an internal expert can be more valuable than working with executives directly.
About Sara Lobkovich
Sara is an OKR Master Coach, strategic consultant, and author of You Are a Strategist: Use No-BS OKRs to Get Big Things Done. She created the No-BS OKRs methodology — a behavioral approach that focuses on changing how people work, not just how they write goals.
With 16+ years of executive leadership experience and having trained 2,000+ coaches across 300+ organizations, Sara specializes in mid-market companies where strategy stalls between the boardroom and operations.
Ready to talk about OKR coaching?
A 25-minute Q&A to see if this is the right approach for your situation. Your questions, real answers, zero pressure.
Not ready for a call? Send Me Your Questions — tell me what's going on and I'll send you my honest take.