What separates teams that talk about OKRs from those that actually use them to change how they work? In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Mälsjö, founder of FutureWorks, whose mission is simple, eliminate bad execution.

Daniel and his team coach leaders and build OKR software designed to drive focus, rhythm, and culture change. He shares how OKR reboots have become more common than first-time adoptions, why bravery beats process, and what really happens when leadership doesn’t follow through.

We dive into leadership courage, the difference between applying a structure and changing a way of working, and why fear of failure often drives faster results than hope of success. Daniel also shares his perspective on culture, trust, and how leaders create the foundations for psychological safety and accountability.

If you’re wondering how to turn OKR from a tick-box exercise into a transformation engine, this episode gives you the raw truth.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast

00:39 Meet Daniel: The OKR Expert

01:34 FutureWorks: Eliminating Bad Execution

02:52 Diverse Clientele and OKR Implementation

05:06 Challenges in OKR Adoption

07:32 The Importance of Management Support

14:22 Daniel's Journey with OKRs

17:33 The Role of Customer Experience

22:55 Handling Challenges and Team Dynamics

23:54 Exploring Leadership and Team Dynamics

24:28 The Importance of Psychological Safety

26:34 Implementing OKRs: Challenges and Insights

27:19 Assessing Team Psychological Safety

29:27 Addressing Managerial Resistance

33:03 Common Mistakes with OKRs

40:25 Innovative Approaches to OKRs

44:21 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Resource Links

• FutureWorks OKR Platform — FutureworksFutureworks OKR Software: Align Teams, Drive Results
• Our Iceberg Is Melting by John Kotter — Kotterinc Our Iceberg Is Melting - Kotter International Inc

OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE

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How does a company of 15,000 people keep strategy, goals, and execution moving in the same rhythm? In this episode, Amber Morey-Wu, Principal Program Manager at Atlassian, takes us behind the curtain.

We talk about Atlassian’s “Business Rhythms” team and their rolling four approach to planning. Every quarter, they review results, reset priorities, and look forward four quarters, keeping strategy alive and flexible, not a once-a-year tick box.

Amber shares how Atlassian thinks about OKR, from company-level L1 objectives down to team goals. She explains why not everything needs to ladder up, why focus matters more than coverage, and why OKR should always be about change-the-business impact, not just run-the-business metrics.

You’ll also hear about the rituals that keep executives engaged, the role of context in driving buy-in, and why OKR should inspire ambition rather than add complexity.

Timestamp:

00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast

01:06 Meet Amber Wu from Atlassian

01:46 Amber's Journey to Atlassian

02:44 Understanding Business Rhythms at Atlassian

04:36 Atlassian's Team Collaboration Tools

07:02 The Role of OKRs at Atlassian

15:20 Implementing and Evolving OKRs

19:49 Executive Involvement in OKRs

24:39 OKRs in Product Teams

26:35 Outcomes Over Outputs

27:03 Fostering a Culture of Impact at Atlassian

28:04 Personal Secret Sauce and Current Challenges

28:30 The Power of Context and Human Connection

29:00 Leveraging Loom for Better Communication

31:25 The Importance of OKRs and Short Feedback Cycles

36:54 Personal Goals vs. OKRs

41:27 Books and Podcasts for Personal Growth

46:07 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Resource Links

• Jacinda Ardern: Leading With Heart (autobiography) — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735589/jacinda-ardern-by-madeline-hyland/
• (Amber is listening to the audio version narrated by Ardern herself)
• Pivot Podcast with Kara Swisher & Scott Galloway — https://www.vox.com/podcasts/pivot
• Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky Podcast — https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-monica-lewinsky-70188
• Good Hang with Amy Poehler — https://www.earwolf.com/show/amys-good-hang/

OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE

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Juan Sanchez, CIO at Inteleos, joins us to break down how OKRs are powering real change in the nonprofit sector. Inteleos, a global leader in medical certification, is using OKRs not just to track progress, but to redefine what impact looks like across borders. Juan shares how Inteleos shifted from traditional project thinking to outcome-driven impact, scaled their remote workforce across six countries, and kept strategy alive with a global-first mindset.

We explore the challenges of moving from outputs to outcomes, the radical shift to a learning-first culture, and why associations need to unbundle membership and think like product-led companies if they want to stay relevant. If you’ve ever wondered how a nonprofit can operate like a tech startup and scale its mission globally, this conversation is for you.

• 00:00 – Intro:
• Juan Sanchez, CIO of Inteleos, on building global impact through OKRs.
• 02:10 – What is Inteleos?
• Inside the nonprofit certifying 120,000 sonographers and growing.
• 05:00 – Discovering OKRs:
• How Measure What Matters kicked off a new way of thinking.
• 08:30 – From Output to Outcome:
• Why shifting from traditional project thinking to outcomes was so challenging—and so necessary.
• 12:00 – Team Buy-In and the Power of Goals:
• How Inteleos uses individual goals separately from team OKRs.
• 17:00 – Aligning Global Teams with OKRs:
• Strategies for syncing teams across six countries with a common mission.
• 20:00 – Impact OKRs and Why They Matter:
• Measuring real-world change in healthcare on a seven-year horizon.
• 24:00 – Ditching Cascading for Alignment:
• How Inteleos uses cross-team OKRs to solve complex global challenges.
• 28:00 – The Learning Culture:
• From "The Interaction Field" to "Thinking in Systems," how reading and learning fuel innovation.
• 31:00 – Building for the Long Game:
• Why Inteleos is designed to transform—not just sustain—the medical certification space.
• 36:00 – The Cockroach Conundrum:
• Why some nonprofits stagnate and how to break free.
• 40:00 – Unbundling Memberships & Product Thinking:
• A call for associations to rethink their business models.
• 45:00 – Advice for Nonprofits:
• How to think beyond legacy models and drive real change.
• 48:00 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Next for Inteleos:
• Global expansion, new products, and bigger impact.

Juan Sanchez is the Chief Information Officer at Inteleos, a nonprofit based outside Washington, DC, that certifies medical professionals across six countries. With over 120,000 sonographers certified, Inteleos is redefining global standards in medical imaging. Juan is passionate about bringing a tech startup mindset to nonprofits, driving impact through OKRs, agile principles, and a relentless commitment to learning. He’s a vocal advocate for outcome-based thinking in the nonprofit sector and believes that real change happens when strategy is aligned with mission-driven action.

OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE

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