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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Follow Amber Morey-Wu on Linkedin

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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Lucus West, COO at AutoGuru, takes us under the hood of how a disruptive Aussie startup reshaped its approach to goals, strategy, and getting everyone pulling in the same direction. From early OKR chaos and bloated to-do lists to a metrics-driven, tightly aligned rhythm that actually fires up the team—this episode is a practical blueprint for any business on the brink of outgrowing its goal-setting playbook.

We talk buy-now-pay-later in the auto industry, creative startup hacks, the robot vs monkey balance in leadership, and how Lucus went from professional dancer to COO of a tech company. Buckle up.

00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast

02:07 Meet Lucas West, COO of Auto Guru

02:24 The Journey of Auto Guru

03:23 Challenges and Innovations in the Automotive Industry

07:53 Implementing OKRs at Auto Guru

09:10 Transforming OKRs for Better Results

17:58 The Role of OKR Champions

20:50 Future Improvements and Lessons Learned

24:24 Navigating the Two-Sided Marketplace

25:54 Personal Journey and Leadership Insights

26:25 Implementing Effective OKRs

27:23 Celebrating Success and Team Engagement

30:25 Lucas's Career Path to COO

36:02 The Importance of Outcomes Over Outputs

38:18 Continuous Learning and Team Development

42:18 Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

Lucus West is the Chief Operating Officer at AutoGuru, a platform that connects drivers with car servicing workshops across Australia and New Zealand. Since joining in 2018, Lucus has helped scale the business from a retail marketplace to a SaaS fleet servicing platform with over 13,000 workshops. A former professional dancer turned operations leader, Lucus brings a unique blend of creative energy and executional discipline to everything he does. He’s passionate about building systems that empower teams and using OKRs to make strategy tangible for everyone—whether you’re in the C-suite or answering the phone.

OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE

Lucus West on Linkedin

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🎧 Listen now and learn how to stop tracking outputs and start delivering real outcomes.

In this laid-back and insightful crossover episode with Natasha Redman, Tim breaks down what OKRs actually are, why they’re worth the effort—and what most people get completely wrong.

From defining meaningful goals to building habits that stick, the conversation covers real stories from inside big orgs, the traps of to-do list masquerading as OKRs, and the magic that happens when teams get aligned on the ‘why.’

Whether you're brand new to OKRs or knee-deep in them already, this episode will give you fresh perspective, practical advice, and a laugh or two along the way.

00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast

00:18 Crossover Episode with Natasha

00:29 Importance of Change Management

00:39 Discussion on OKRs and Change Management

00:52 Personal Journey into OKRs

01:08 Podcast Overview and Key Takeaways

01:29 Casual Conversation and Icebreakers

02:11 Favorite Books and Recommendations

07:00 Deep Dive into OKRs

09:36 Why OKRs Matter

12:25 Challenges and Benefits of OKRs

14:04 Importance of Understanding the 'Why' in Change

17:20 Adapting to Change and OKRs

17:54 Using OKRs for Personal Goals

18:09 Reflecting on Weekly Goals

19:56 Adapting OKRs to Changing Circumstances

21:34 Setting Realistic and Motivating OKRs

23:11 Tips for Beginners Starting with OKRs

26:04 Common Pitfalls to Avoid with OKRs

28:34 The Importance of Effective Training

31:04 Where to Learn More About OKRs

32:36 Final Words of Wisdom on OKRs

Natasha Redman is a change leader, comms pro and host of the Casa de Cambio podcast—where she explores the human side of transformation. With a background in org design, agile change and leadership comms, Natasha brings real-world experience and curiosity to every conversation. She’s passionate about helping people understand why change is happening—and how to make it suck less.

Natasha's Podcast - Casa de Cambio Podcast

OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE

Follow Tim on LinkedIn: Tim Newbold on LinkedIn and Instagram

🎧 Listen now and start thinking in outcomes, not outputs.

In this episode, Tim joins Andrew Murphy for a live chat all about making OKRs work in the messy, real world of business—not just the theory.

They unpack the early days of OKRs, what makes them powerful, and how the wrong leadership culture can quietly kill them. Tim shares the moment in his career that flipped his mindset from outputs to outcomes (spoiler: it involves 18 years of work that never made it to production).

They also dive into product discovery, why most teams set OKRs too early, and the hidden danger of treating internal metrics like they're the outcome. Packed with war stories, practical advice and a fair bit of sarcasm, this is one of those episodes that’ll shift how you think about goal-setting—at every level of your business.

00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast

01:11 Icebreaker: Favorite Tech Gadgets

03:45 Tim's Journey into OKRs

10:01 Understanding OKRs: Basics and Importance

15:15 Aligning Team and Organizational OKRs

21:46 Product Discovery and OKRs

27:15 Introduction to Metrics in Software Development

30:05 Exploring Leading and Lagging Indicators

33:24 The Role of OKRs in Engineering Teams

35:06 Challenges and Solutions in Product Development

39:41 Leadership and Coaching for Effective OKRs

44:08 Resources and Final Thoughts

Andrew Murphy is the founder of Tech Leader’s Launchpad, a community and content hub for current and aspiring engineering leaders. With a background in software development, team leadership and digital transformation, Andrew helps tech leads level up fast without losing their soul—or their Saturdays.

OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE

Follow Tim on LinkedIn: Tim Newbold on LinkedIn and Instagram

🎧 Listen now and learn how to stop tracking outputs and start delivering real outcomes.

What do scenic design, customer experience and OKRs have in common? According to Mat Lawrence, everything.

In this episode, Tim sits down with Mat—COO at Shippit and former head of props at Opera Australia—to talk about how storytelling transforms leadership, decision-making and alignment inside fast-growing teams.

Mat shares how he went from building physical props for live shows to building teams at Atlassian and now Shippit, and how the same creative problem-solving applies across every space.

You’ll hear how Shippit navigated the chaos of early lockdowns, why most goal-setting feels uninspired, and how rewriting OKRs as short stories changed how teams connected to their work.

This one’s for anyone who wants to lead with clarity, purpose and a little creativity.

00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast

00:59 Meet Today's Guest: Matt's Fascinating Career Journey

01:43 From Opera to Tech: Matt's Career Pivot

02:28 Challenges and Innovations in the Opera Industry

04:41 Transition to Atlassian and Agile Development

10:56 The Power of Storytelling in Goal Setting

15:05 Connecting Teams Through Purpose and Story

16:53 Innovative Approaches to OKRs and Team Collaboration

22:19 Building on Ideas: The 'Yes And' Principle

22:56 Applying Improv Principles to Business Culture

23:33 Creating a Safe Space for Failure

24:41 Storytelling in Business Presentations

27:04 Empowering Teams with the 'Why'

29:09 Adapting Leadership During Crisis

36:46 Transparency and Openness in Leadership

38:37 Prioritizing and Filling Capability Gaps

40:55 The Importance of Flow Time

43:40 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts

Mat Lawrence was the Chief Operating Officer at Shippit, a logistics tech platform helping retailers deliver better customer experiences. With a background in scenic design and a decade spent building animatronics and props for live theatre, Mat brings a unique blend of creativity, operational excellence, and people-first leadership to the table.

Before Shippit, he led teams at Atlassian through a period of massive growth, helping shape their global ways of working. These days, Mat’s on a mission to scale high-performing, purpose-driven teams—and maybe write a few OKR stories along the way.

OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE

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If you’ve ever struggled to write clear, focused OKRs that actually drive business results, this episode is for you. Tim and Péter break down the biggest mistakes teams make when setting OKRs and share a practical, step-by-step approach to writing better ones.

Learn why OKRs should feel like a newspaper headline, how to track progress before the quarter is over, and why measuring outputs (instead of outcomes) will derail your strategy. Plus, we explore whether AI can help with OKR writing—and what most people get wrong when using ChatGPT for goal-setting.

With real-world examples from sales, product, and leadership teams, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can apply immediately.

[00:00:00] Intro: Why writing good OKRs is harder than it looks

[00:01:30] Meet Péter Tóth—his background and experience with OKRs in sales

[00:03:00] Why bad OKRs confuse teams and kill motivation

[00:05:00] The biggest mistakes teams make when writing OKRs

[00:08:00] The “Newspaper Headline” trick for writing clear, inspiring objectives

[00:10:00] Why OKRs should focus on revolution, not just evolution

[00:13:00] The power of focus: How Domino’s went from seven OKRs to one (and 30% sales growth)

[00:15:00] What makes a great Key Result? (Hint: It’s not a task list)

[00:18:00] Leading vs. lagging indicators—how to track success early

[00:22:00] Real-world example: How sales teams can set better OKRs

[00:27:00] How to measure progress without getting lost in metrics

[00:30:00] Common pitfalls: Overcomplicating OKRs and missing the real impact

[00:34:00] How AI can (and can’t) help you write OKRs

[00:38:00] The right way to use ChatGPT for OKR brainstorming

[00:40:00] Wrap-up: Final takeaways and where to find more resources

Péter Tóth is a business strategist and OKR expert, specializing in sales, leadership, and operational excellence. He has helped teams across industries implement OKRs that drive real business impact, focusing on outcome-driven strategies rather than task-based goal-setting. Péter is passionate about helping teams simplify their goals, track meaningful progress, and use AI as a tool for efficiency—without losing the human element. When he’s not deep in OKRs, you’ll find him exploring ways to optimize sales processes and leadership development.

OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources (Including the Cheatsheet) HERE

Peter's article on using AI for OKR

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