Welcome to the No-BS OKRs™ Blog

Here, you’ll find resources we create to help teams create, implement, and operationalize No-BS OKRs™ (called Evolutionary OKRs® in some workplaces) to set clear goals, stay focused, and build cultures of growth, learning, and high performance.

Featured No-BS OKRs Posts

Featured

Apr 10, 2025

Are you making any of these common OKR mistakes?

Apr 10, 2025

Discover the top OKR mistakes that can derail your implementation and learn how to avoid them for successful goal-setting in your organization.

Apr 10, 2025

Aug 2, 2024

“Quiet Quitting” and the “Great Detachment” Reflect Your Culture, Not Your Workforce

Aug 2, 2024

“Quiet quitting” isn’t over — recent Gallup Data shows that the “Great Detatchment” is still going strong. Learn how No-BS OKRs can counter this trend, fostering a more engaged and motivated workforce and management.

Aug 2, 2024

Jul 2, 2024

How to Do OKRs for Corporate Functions, An OKR FAQ

Jul 2, 2024

Creating and aligning OKRs can be particularly tricky for busy corporate functions like HR, IT, legal, corporate communications, and finance. Here are some practical tips to help you create clear expectations for yourself and your team.

Jul 2, 2024

Jun 28, 2024

OKR FAQ: What are some common OKR mistakes organizations make?

Jun 28, 2024

Based on a reader question, learn some of the most common OKR mistakes I see organizations make, including lack of precise use of words and meaning, and failure to create important goals outside of financial, activity, and known KPI areas. Learn a few quick tips about why these mistakes matter, and how to prevent them in this FAQ answer.

Jun 28, 2024

Newest Thinkydoer Podcast Episodes

Featured

Apr 1, 2025

Beyond Soundbites: From Case Studies To Client Stories

Apr 1, 2025

How can you transform raw case studies into compelling client stories? In this episode, Nailah King, a seasoned expert in strategic communications and creative marketing, joins host Sara Lobkovich on Thinkydoers™ to share her insights on turning complex data into authentic narratives that resonate. With a background that spans client relations, innovative storytelling, and hands-on experience with dynamic brands, Nailah brings a fresh perspective on making every story count.

From harnessing the power of narrative to balancing analytical rigor with creativity, this conversation offers actionable strategies for professionals eager to elevate their brand’s voice. Whether you’re a veteran marketer, a budding storyteller, or simply curious about the art of client engagement, this episode provides a practical roadmap to transforming case studies into inspirational success stories.

Apr 1, 2025

Mar 4, 2025

Generative AI: Practical Strategies for Thinkydoers

Mar 4, 2025

How can AI streamline your workflow without replacing the human touch? In this episode, Dvorah Graeser, founder and CEO of RocketSmart, joins Sara Lobkovich to explore the power of AI in organizing complex information, optimizing processes, and reducing mental fatigue. With a background in AI programming, pharmacology, and intellectual property, Dvorah brings a unique perspective on how to strategically integrate AI tools into everyday work.

From leveraging multiple AI tools to balance strengths and weaknesses to maintaining ethical and responsible AI use, this conversation offers actionable insights for professionals looking to work smarter. Whether you’re an AI skeptic, an enthusiast, or just curious about the future of work, this episode provides a practical roadmap for using AI effectively—without losing the human element.

Mar 4, 2025

Feb 26, 2025

Generative AI and the Future of Work for Thinkydoers

Feb 26, 2025

Want to explore the ethical landscape of AI? In this episode, Dvorah Graeser, founder and CEO of RocketSmart, joins Sara Lobkovich to explore the intersection of AI, innovation, and ethics. With a background in programming, pharmacology, and intellectual property, Dvorah shares her unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities AI presents—especially as it rapidly evolves.

From the risks of AI centralization to the importance of democratizing technology, this conversation delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding generative AI. Whether you're an AI enthusiast, a skeptic, or just trying to navigate the ever-changing tech landscape, this episode offers thoughtful insights on how we can engage with AI responsibly and with curiosity.

Feb 26, 2025

Feb 12, 2025

OKR Forecast 2025: Insights From The Experts

Feb 12, 2025

Curious about where OKRs are headed in 2025? In this episode, Natalie Webb and Maria Rowcliffe join Sara Lobkovich to share expert insights on the evolving role of OKRs in business strategy and execution. With years of experience guiding organizations through strategic planning, Natalie and Maria discuss the biggest challenges teams face when implementing OKRs—and the practical solutions that drive success.

From aligning leadership vision to improving accountability, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways for teams looking to refine their approach. Whether you're new to OKRs or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you navigate the trends shaping the future of goal-setting and execution.

Feb 12, 2025

Posts by Category

Principles of No-BS OKRs

Featured

No-BS OKRs

Are you making any of these common OKR mistakes?

No-BS OKRs

Discover the top OKR mistakes that can derail your implementation and learn how to avoid them for successful goal-setting in your organization.

No-BS OKRs

OKR FAQ, No-BS OKRs

WTF are OKRs?

OKR FAQ, No-BS OKRs

Don’t know an OKR from a KPI from any other TLA? Dive into the world of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) with our no-nonsense WTF are OKRs guide. You’ll find basic words, meanings, and context about when and how OKRs are useful, and access No-BS OKR cheat-sheets not available anywhere else

OKR FAQ, No-BS OKRs

The Connected Strategic Stack

OKRs in Context: Do OKRs co-exist with other methodologies?

The Connected Strategic Stack

One of the first jobs to be done when implementing (or rebooting) OKRs is to identify how they fit into an organization’s existing planning “stack” and get clear about what job they’re being hired to do.

This is an excerpt from an early draft of Sara’s upcoming book, You Are A Strategist.

You’ll be introduced to the first of three models that Sara uses every day in her work with organizations implementing OKRs: the Connected Strategic® Implementation Stack.

The Connected Strategic Stack

Strategic Planning, The Connected Strategic Stack

The Connected Strategic Implementation Stack

Strategic Planning, The Connected Strategic Stack

The Connected Strategic Implementation Stack is a framework that helps us understand where OKRs may fit into an organization's existing operating Stack; and, spot what gaps they may fill in connecting what we do, to what's strategically most important.

Strategic Planning, The Connected Strategic Stack

All posts about No-BS OKRs →

Leadership + Management

Featured

Management, Leadership

“Quiet Quitting” and the “Great Detachment” Reflect Your Culture, Not Your Workforce

Management, Leadership

Leadership

Expand your leadership toolkit with assessments

Leadership

I’ve always found assessments helpful not only for personal development and self-knowing, but also for helping organizations develop a shared language around important topics in how we work together. I am a huge supporter of using assessments personally for self-discovery and increasing your understanding about yourself, your default modes, and non-default options for behavior. Here, I share the assessments I use most frequently in my coaching and consulting …

Leadership

All posts about Leadership & Management →

Strategic Planning

Featured

Thinkydoer Careers, Goals

Thinkydoers Episode 16: Creating Leading Indicators with Elena Chopyak

Thinkydoer Careers, Goals

The Connected Strategic Stack

OKRs in Context: Do OKRs co-exist with other methodologies?

The Connected Strategic Stack

This is an excerpt from an early draft of Sara’s upcoming book, You Are A Strategist.

You’ll be introduced to the first of three models that Sara uses every day in her work with organizations implementing OKRs: the Connected Strategic® Implementation Stack.

The Connected Strategic Stack

All posts about Strategic Planning & Goals →

OKR FAQs

Featured

OKR FAQ

How to Do OKRs for Corporate Functions, An OKR FAQ

OKR FAQ

OKR FAQ: What are some common OKR mistakes organizations make?

OKR FAQ

All No-BS OKRs FAQs →

OKR Coaching

Featured

OKR Coaching

Thinkydoers Episode 17: Meet an OKR Coach: Jason Johnston (Part One)

OKR Coaching

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 wonderful Jason Johnston, OKR Practice Lead for Genetec, a leading tech 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.

OKR Coaching

All posts about OKR Coaching →

Sara Lobkovich 8/5/22 Sara Lobkovich 8/5/22

What we can learn during the annual goals “silly season”

This time of year is called the "silly season" in motorsports because we're in the literal middle of our racing season AND we're all already operating in the 2023 season: planning partnerships, talent moves, and logistics for the year we won't start for another six months.

Every summer I see something really similar with my corporate clients who set goals annually…

Sara Lobkovich 8/1/22 Sara Lobkovich 8/1/22

Are you experiencing "growing pains" in your organizational goals?

It’s Q3: Are your OKRs still pointing you in the right direction? Let’s look at some issues that commonly arise late in the year, and make sure your goals are on track.

Sara Lobkovich 5/3/22 Sara Lobkovich 5/3/22

Thinkydoers Ep 03: Replacing "managing up" with a culture of self-management

This episode is part two in this two-part series, where we dive into why and how organizations can replace "managing up" with building a culture of self-management. With norms established around expectations and goal alignment, communication, and candor and truthfulness…

Sara Lobkovich 4/19/22 Sara Lobkovich 4/19/22

Thinkydoers Ep 02: The downsides of “managing up”

This is the first in a two-part series about why we work with clients to uncover and unlearn the behavior of "managing up," and replace it with a culture of self-management. It IS necessary to carefully and intentionally manage our relationships at work (up, down, and across), but the way managing up is coached in many organizations centers leaders instead of the work itself. The practice is inefficient…

Thinkydoers is where we shift out of our heads and whiteboard drawings and work to find language for our thought-work and stories.

Each episode tackles a question, a thought experiment, or a resource intended to help you reduce frustration and friction, and increase satisfaction and flow, in your work.

Listen Now

Courses & Community

Thinkydoers, frustrated change agents, overthinkers, and challengers of the status quo:

You’ve found your people.

Here you’ll find our library of free downloadable tools, results-focused online learning options, and other ways to connect through our communities. Draft Evolutionary OKRs Playbook

Free Resources to Aid Your Inner Strategist

Welcome to the No-BS OKRs™ Blog

Here, you’ll find resources we create to help teams create, implement, and operationalize No-BS OKRs™ (called Evolutionary OKRs® in some workplaces) to set clear goals, stay focused, and build cultures of growth, learning, and high performance.

Featured No-BS OKRs Posts

Newest Thinkydoer Podcast Episodes

Posts by Category

Principles of No-BS OKRs

Leadership + Management

Strategic Planning

OKR FAQs

OKR Coaching

What we can learn during the annual goals “silly season”

Are you experiencing "growing pains" in your organizational goals?

Thinkydoers Ep 03: Replacing "managing up" with a culture of self-management

Thinkydoers Ep 02: The downsides of “managing up”

The Podcast

Courses & Community

Thinkydoers, frustrated change agents, overthinkers, and challengers of the status quo:

You’ve found your people.

Here you’ll find our library of free downloadable tools, results-focused online learning options, and other ways to connect through our communities. Draft Evolutionary OKRs Playbook

Stay in the loop…