164 | Becoming More Strategic as an HR Team: 3 Ways OKRs Can Help

What does it really mean for an HR team to be “strategic” – and how can you make that shift without adding more to your workload?In this solo episode of HR Coffee Time, Fay explores a practical and accessible way to strengthen your team’s strategic focus: using OKRs – Objectives and Key Results.If you’ve ever felt pulled between operational demands and the bigger picture, this episode will help you think differently about how HR goals connect to organisational priorities – and how to make that link clearer for your whole team.Drawing on real examples (including a memorable orange analogy 🍊), Fay breaks down how OKRs can:Create clarity and accountabilityConnect HR activity to business impactHelp team members see how their work contributes to the wider strategyYou’ll come away with three practical ways to use OKRs to strengthen your strategic focus as a team – without overcomplicating things.Chapters From This Episode[00:00] Why HR struggles to be strategic[01:10] What being strategic really means[02:45] Shaping the future in HR[03:50] Solving the biggest organisational problem[04:55] What OKRs are and where they started[06:10] Understanding objectives using a simple example[07:40] How HR objectives link to strategy[08:55] What good key results look like[10:10] Moving from activity to impact[11:25] How OKRs support prioritisation[12:35] Books and next steps for HR leadersBooks Mentioned in This Episode"Measure What Matters. OKRS - The Simple Idea That Drives 10x Growth" by John Doerr"Radical Focus: Achieving Your Most Important Goals With Objectives and Key Results" by Christina Wodtke“Good Strategy/Bad Strategy: The Difference and Why It Matters” by Richard Rumelt“The Strategy Book: How to Think and Act Strategically to Deliver Outstanding Results” by Max MckeownWant to Build Your Strategic Confidence?If this episode has made you reflect on your own strategic impact, you might enjoy learning more about Fay’s:Inspiring HR Leadership Programme– designed to help existing and aspiring HR leaders build confidence, credibility and influenceHR Leadership Impact Assessment– a free self-assessment to help you reflect on your strengths and development areasThe Essential HR Planner– created to help HR professionals stay focused on what really mattersOther relevant HR Coffee Time Episodes:'Operate Strategically' HR Coffee Time Podcast PlaylistEnjoyed This Episode? Don’t Miss the Next One!Sign up to the free weekly HR Coffee Time email to be notified each time a new episode is released – and get free career tips, tools, and resources.Mentioned in this episode:Join the Inspiring HR Leadership ProgrammeBuild your confidence, credibility & impact through the Inspiring HR Leadership Programme. The next cohort is now open for booking. Inspiring HRHelp That’s There when It’s Needed MostMenopause, grief, ADHD, relationship breakdown... Every day, employees dealing with these situations are turned away by their EAP because they don't qualify for counselling. When someone finally asks for help, they deserve better. Visit Kara Connect, where no employee is ever turned away. Kara Connect