How Atlassian uses OKR to Keep 15,000 People Aligned with Amber Morey-Wu

Eliminating Bad Execution: Making Strategy Work with Daniel Mälsjö

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 [https://futureworks.com/] * Our Iceberg Is Melting by John Kotter — Kotterinc Our Iceberg Is Melting - Kotter International Inc [https://www.kotterinc.com/our-iceberg-is-melting/] OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE [https://okrquickstart.com/podcast] Follow Tim on LinkedIn: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/] Follow Daniel Mälsjö: Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmalsjo/]

How Atlassian uses OKR to Keep 15,000 People Aligned with Amber Morey-Wu

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/ [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 [https://www.vox.com/podcasts/pivot] * Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky Podcast — https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-monica-lewinsky-70188 [https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-monica-lewinsky-70188] * Good Hang with Amy Poehler — https://www.earwolf.com/show/amys-good-hang/ [https://www.earwolf.com/show/amys-good-hang/] OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE [https://okrquickstart.com/podcast] Follow Tim on LinkedIn: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/] Follow Amber Morey-Wu on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambermoreywu/]

OKR with a Mission: Radically grow your Association or Non profit with Juan Sanchez

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. TIMESTAMPS: * 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.   GUEST BIO: 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 [https://okrquickstart.com/podcast] Follow Tim on LinkedIn: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/] Follow Juan Sanchez on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/juansprofile/]

How AutoGuru's COO rebuilt their OKR system (and got everyone aligned)

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 👤 GUEST BIO: 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 [https://okrquickstart.com/podcast] Lucus West on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucus-west/?originalSubdomain=au&trk=public_post_comment_actor-image] Follow Tim on LinkedIn: Tim Newbold on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/]     🎧 Listen now and learn how to stop tracking outputs and start delivering real outcomes.

How to Build OKRs That Actually Drive Change from Day One with Natasha Redman

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 GUEST BIO: 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 [https://www.casadecambio.com.au/podcast-home] OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE [https://okrquickstart.com/podcast] Follow Tim on LinkedIn: Tim Newbold on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/] 🎧 Listen now and start thinking in outcomes, not outputs.