Strategy Candy: Strategy | OKR | Product Management

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. Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast00:39 Meet Daniel: The OKR Expert01:34 FutureWorks: Eliminating Bad Execution02:52 Diverse Clientele and OKR Implementation05:06 Challenges in OKR Adoption07:32 The Importance of Management Support14:22 Daniel's Journey with OKRs17:33 The Role of Customer Experience22:55 Handling Challenges and Team Dynamics23:54 Exploring Leadership and Team Dynamics24:28 The Importance of Psychological Safety26:34 Implementing OKRs: Challenges and Insights27:19 Assessing Team Psychological Safety29:27 Addressing Managerial Resistance33:03 Common Mistakes with OKRs40:25 Innovative Approaches to OKRs44:21 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Resource LinksFutureWorks OKR Platform — FutureworksFutureworks OKR Software: Align Teams, Drive ResultsOur Iceberg Is Melting by John Kotter — Kotterinc Our Iceberg Is Melting - Kotter International IncOKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HEREFollow Tim on LinkedIn: LinkedIn and InstagramFollow Daniel Mälsjö: Linkedin

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 Podcast01:06 Meet Amber Wu from Atlassian01:46 Amber's Journey to Atlassian02:44 Understanding Business Rhythms at Atlassian04:36 Atlassian's Team Collaboration Tools07:02 The Role of OKRs at Atlassian15:20 Implementing and Evolving OKRs19:49 Executive Involvement in OKRs24:39 OKRs in Product Teams26:35 Outcomes Over Outputs27:03 Fostering a Culture of Impact at Atlassian28:04 Personal Secret Sauce and Current Challenges28:30 The Power of Context and Human Connection29:00 Leveraging Loom for Better Communication31:25 The Importance of OKRs and Short Feedback Cycles36:54 Personal Goals vs. OKRs41:27 Books and Podcasts for Personal Growth46:07 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways Resource LinksJacinda 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/pivotReclaiming with Monica Lewinsky Podcast — https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-monica-lewinsky-70188Good Hang with Amy Poehler — https://www.earwolf.com/show/amys-good-hang/OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HEREFollow Tim on LinkedIn: LinkedIn and InstagramFollow 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.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 HEREFollow Tim on LinkedIn: LinkedIn and InstagramFollow Juan Sanchez on Linkedin

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 Podcast02:07 Meet Lucas West, COO of Auto Guru02:24 The Journey of Auto Guru03:23 Challenges and Innovations in the Automotive Industry07:53 Implementing OKRs at Auto Guru09:10 Transforming OKRs for Better Results17:58 The Role of OKR Champions20:50 Future Improvements and Lessons Learned24:24 Navigating the Two-Sided Marketplace25:54 Personal Journey and Leadership Insights26:25 Implementing Effective OKRs27:23 Celebrating Success and Team Engagement30:25 Lucas's Career Path to COO36:02 The Importance of Outcomes Over Outputs38:18 Continuous Learning and Team Development42:18 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 HERELucus West on LinkedinFollow Tim on LinkedIn: Tim Newbold on LinkedIn and Instagram  🎧 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 Podcast00:18 Crossover Episode with Natasha00:29 Importance of Change Management00:39 Discussion on OKRs and Change Management00:52 Personal Journey into OKRs01:08 Podcast Overview and Key Takeaways01:29 Casual Conversation and Icebreakers02:11 Favorite Books and Recommendations07:00 Deep Dive into OKRs09:36 Why OKRs Matter12:25 Challenges and Benefits of OKRs14:04 Importance of Understanding the 'Why' in Change17:20 Adapting to Change and OKRs17:54 Using OKRs for Personal Goals18:09 Reflecting on Weekly Goals19:56 Adapting OKRs to Changing Circumstances21:34 Setting Realistic and Motivating OKRs23:11 Tips for Beginners Starting with OKRs26:04 Common Pitfalls to Avoid with OKRs28:34 The Importance of Effective Training31:04 Where to Learn More About OKRs32:36 Final Words of Wisdom on OKRsGuest 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 PodcastOKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HEREFollow 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.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast01:11 Icebreaker: Favorite Tech Gadgets03:45 Tim's Journey into OKRs10:01 Understanding OKRs: Basics and Importance15:15 Aligning Team and Organizational OKRs21:46 Product Discovery and OKRs27:15 Introduction to Metrics in Software Development30:05 Exploring Leading and Lagging Indicators33:24 The Role of OKRs in Engineering Teams35:06 Challenges and Solutions in Product Development39:41 Leadership and Coaching for Effective OKRs44:08 Resources and Final ThoughtsGuest BioAndrew 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 HEREFollow 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.Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast00:59 Meet Today's Guest: Matt's Fascinating Career Journey01:43 From Opera to Tech: Matt's Career Pivot02:28 Challenges and Innovations in the Opera Industry04:41 Transition to Atlassian and Agile Development10:56 The Power of Storytelling in Goal Setting15:05 Connecting Teams Through Purpose and Story16:53 Innovative Approaches to OKRs and Team Collaboration22:19 Building on Ideas: The 'Yes And' Principle22:56 Applying Improv Principles to Business Culture23:33 Creating a Safe Space for Failure24:41 Storytelling in Business Presentations27:04 Empowering Teams with the 'Why'29:09 Adapting Leadership During Crisis36:46 Transparency and Openness in Leadership38:37 Prioritizing and Filling Capability Gaps40:55 The Importance of Flow Time43:40 Key Takeaways and Final ThoughtsGuest BioMat 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 HEREFollow Tim on LinkedIn: Tim Newbold on LinkedIn and Instagram🎧 Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review! 🚀

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.Timestamps:[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 resourcesGuest Bio: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.Resources:OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources (Including the Cheatsheet) HEREPeter's article on using AI for OKRFollow Tim on LinkedIn and Instagram🎧 Like this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your team! 🚀

OKRs sound simple—set a goal, track progress, win. But the reality? Much harder. In this episode, I sit down with Mark Henry, product leader and OKR practitioner, to unpack what it really takes to embed OKRs in a high-performing organization like SEEK. Mark shares the challenges of getting leadership alignment, keeping teams focused, and ensuring customer outcomes drive product decisions. Whether you’re new to OKRs or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with real-world insights you won’t want to miss.Timestamps:[00:00:00] Introduction – Why this episode is a must-listen[00:01:00] Mark Henry’s journey with OKRs at SEEK[00:03:00] The biggest challenge: Focus (Hint: You’re doing too much)[00:05:00] How to connect technical work to customer impact[00:08:00] Directional autonomy—giving teams clarity without micromanaging[00:12:00] How UX discovery fits into OKRs (and why it matters)[00:17:00] The difference between feature teams and mission teams[00:19:00] Why strategy clarity makes OKRs way easier[00:22:00] Where OKRs don’t work (and why that’s okay)[00:27:00] The alignment challenge—how SEEK approached company-wide OKRs[00:33:00] How Mark’s team set OKRs each quarter (real process details)[00:38:00] The hidden benefit of OKRs: Speed to market[00:43:00] Mark’s biggest takeaways from leading OKRs at SEEK[00:45:00] How to connect with Mark for more insightsGuest Bio:Mark Henry is a seasoned product leader with deep expertise in product strategy, OKRs, and high-performing teams. He played a key role in embedding OKRs at SEEK, one of Australia’s leading job platforms, before moving on to leadership roles at Metadvisor and now working as a consultant and advisor. With years of experience navigating the complexities of OKRs, product discovery, and customer-driven innovation, Mark brings a practical, no-BS perspective on what really works.Tim’s OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HEREFollow Tim on LinkedIn: Tim Newbold on LinkedIn and Instagram🎧 Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review! 🚀

Stories aren’t just for Hollywood—they’re the key to better leadership, communication, and culture in the workplace. In this episode, I sit down with Shawn Callahan, storytelling expert and author of Putting Stories to Work, to unpack the power of business storytelling. Shawn shares why the traditional hero’s journey doesn’t work in business, how to naturally weave stories into your communication, and why the stories we tell shape company culture. If you think storytelling isn’t for you, think again—this conversation will change the way you connect, influence, and lead.Timestamps:[00:00:00] Intro – Why storytelling is a game-changer[00:02:00] Shawn Callahan on business storytelling and why the hero’s journey is overrated[00:04:00] Why business stories should feel natural, not scripted[00:07:00] How leaders can use stories to drive strategy and inspire teams[00:12:00] The biggest mistake people make when telling stories at work[00:18:00] How storytelling shapes company culture and drives change[00:27:00] The power of listening—how to draw out meaningful stories[00:35:00] Real-world examples of storytelling transforming businesses[00:44:00] Three key takeaways from today’s conversation[00:46:00] How to learn more about business storytellingGuest Bio:Shawn Callahan is the founder of Anecdote, one of the world’s leading business storytelling consultancies. As the author of Putting Stories to Work, he helps leaders and teams craft and share compelling stories to drive business impact. With decades of experience in organizational storytelling, Shawn has worked with major brands to build cultures of influence, engagement, and trust. He also co-hosts the Anecdotally Speaking podcast, where he shares powerful business stories that can be retold to inspire action.🔗 Resources & Links:Shawn Callahan’s website & blog: anecdote.comShawn’s book – Putting Stories to Work: Grab a copyFollow Tim on LinkedIn: Tim Newbold on LinkedIn and InstagramCheck the OKR Quickstart site for FREE resources HERE🎧 Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review! 🚀