OKRs: A Ruckus Maker's secret weapon for accomplishing audacious goals

Intro

How productive are you? How often do you surprise yourself and defy the odds? When was the last time you accomplished something truly remarkable?

OKRs can be your secret weapon to getting more done and creating magic in your organization. 

I first learned about OKRs in the book Measure What Matters which is our Mastermind book for September and October 2019. 

OKRs stand for objectives and key results. 

In many ways they are like the tried-and-true SMART goals many schools utilize. 

Both OKRs and SMART goals are specific, measurable, and time-bound, but like Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development, OKRs are better because they stretch organizations to accomplish far more.

The first part of an OKR is the objective: this is WHAT will be achieved. It’s as simple as that.

The second part of an OKR are the key results: this is where I get excited. This is the HOW you will accomplish your objective. 

Key results are measurable. Accomplishing all key results should equate to accomplishing your objective.

OKRs are an amazing tool to use because they identify your priorities. Many schools (and leaders) think everything is important. 

Everything is not important.

If everything is important, that is why you are stagnant in creating massive value for your organization. 

Elite performers share a number of qualities. One such quality is an uncanny ability to prioritize and focus.

Focus = Follow One Course Until Success

If everything is important, nothing is. 

The Four OKR Superpowers

According to John Doerr, the author of Measure What Matters, OKRs have four superpowers.

• Superpower #1: Focus and commit to priorities.

• Superpower #2: Align and connect for teamwork.

• Superpower #3: Track for accountability

• Superpower #4: Stretch for amazing

Superpower #1: Focus and commit to priorities

One of my favorite quotes I share on the podcast has to do with the importance of vision: 

“If one does not know to which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.”

-Seneca

Said another way: “Where there is no vision, people scatter.”

The first superpower of OKRs is that they clearly articulate what the organization is about. OKRs say, “Here is where we are sailing.” There is no ambiguity in a well-written OKR. Everyone knows exactly what the mission is and where the organization is going. 

The often used metaphor in leadership is that of a row boat. Two people are inside. One person decides to row east and the other decides it is best to row west. 

They quickly go nowhere, rowing in circles. 

This leaves the two rowers exhausted with nothing to show for their effort. 

This is the norm for low and mid performing schools.

Everyone can articulate the goals within a great organization. 

On that note, if I asked anyone in your school: an AP, a teacher, a counselor, a janitor what the most important goal is and how they plug into that goal, what would they say?

Would you be pleased with their response?

If not, OKRs are the answer.

Superpower #2: Align and Connect for Teamwork

How motivated is your team? 

Measure What Matters cites a recent study which surveyed 1000 workers in the USA. The study found that 92% would be more motivated to achieve their goals if colleagues could see their progress. 

Another study cited in the book claimed that only 7% of employees fully understand their organization’s strategy and what is expected to them. 

These two studies tell me:

• Both goals and progress should be public 

• We can do a much better job communicating goals and how our people can help us achieve them

OKR Superpower #2 helps schools get everyone on the same page. 

Like the rowing metaphor shared in Superpower #1, OKRs articulate not only where an organization is going, but how each individual can get us there (e.g. everyone row east).