A No-Nonsense Guide to Rolling Out OKRs That Actually Work

Sara Lobkovich explains how to use OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) without the common pitfalls, like having too many goals or confusing milestones with actual key results. She gives practical examples, such as how "launch Project X by end of Q2" is a milestone, not a key result, and pushes for OKRs to focus on measurable outcomes that often feel out of your control. The conversation includes tips for Chiefs of Staff on implementing OKRs successfully, handling change management, and using retrospectives to learn from what worked—and what didn’t.Links Mentioned:Sara Lobkovich’s WebsiteSara’s Book and WorkbookFree Resources:Strategic Planning Checklist Chief of Staff Skills Assessment ChecklistA Day in the Life of a Chief of StaffChief of Staff Toolkit Get in Touch With Emily:Connect on LinkedInFollow on YouTubeLearn more about coaching Sign up for the newsletterClarity Call with Emily Who Am I?If we haven’t met before - Hi👋 I’m Emily, Chief of Staff turned Executive Leadership Coach. After a thrilling ride up the corporate ladder, I’m focusing on what I love - working with people to realize their professional and personal goals. Through my videos here on this channel, books, podcast guest spots, and newsletter, I share new ideas and practical and tactical tools to help you be more productive and build the career and life you want.  Time Stamps:00:13 Understanding OKRs: Objectives and Key Results01:47 Common Challenges in Implementing OKRs04:35 Defining Key Results and Milestones08:09 The Importance of Clear Definitions and Terms18:47 Implementing OKRs Successfully22:24 Quantitative Assessment and OKR Creation24:32 Timeframes and Cadence for OKRs25:53 Levels of OKR Localization28:58 Change Management and OKR Adjustments32:41 Retrospectives and Continuous Learning34:54 Cross-Functionality and OKRs38:33 Addressing Resistance to OKRs40:41 Sarah's Work and Expertise42:54 Sarah's Book and Resources43:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts