Why Executive OKR Workshops are the Most Important Workshops to Get Right

Executive OKR workshops play a pivotal role in defining the strategic direction of an organization.

When done right, they can create a strong foundation for success.

But why are these workshops so crucial?

The Importance of ‘Top of House’ OKRs (or Company OKRs)

At the heart of every successful executive OKR workshop is the creation of ‘Top of House’ OKRs, or also known as company OKRs.

These OKRs are championed by the highest-ranking individual, often the CEO, and set the strategic priorities for the entire organization.

In large multinational corporations, each branch or division might have its own set of ‘Top of House’ OKRs.

Regardless of the size or structure of the company, the principles remain the same: limit the number of objectives to 3-5 and key results to 4-6.

This focus ensures clarity and alignment across the organization.

Strategy Follows Gravity

The concept of ‘strategy following gravity’ is key to understanding the impact of company OKRs.

These OKRs act as a guiding force, ensuring that strategic priorities trickle down throughout the organization.

This doesn’t mean a top-down approach where everything is cascaded without question.

Instead, it’s about setting meaningful guardrails that guide the rest of the organization.

This is why leadership OKR workshops are so important to get right.

Weak company OKRs at the top can set a shaky foundation, leading to unfocused and ineffective team OKRs.

Strong, well-thought-out OKRs at the executive level, however, can foster clarity, focus, and alignment across all levels of the organization.

The Process of Crafting Effective Company OKRs

Our approach to developing ‘Top of House’ OKRs is a mixed-method one, designed to be both effective and efficient.

The process begins with gathering relevant documents from the client to understand their initial priorities.

This is followed by engaging with leadership and other executive team members to gather insights.

Interviews with the CEO and their direct reports are crucial to identifying the most pressing strategic priorities for the next 12 months.

This data collection phase is essential for crafting relevant and impactful OKRs.

Executive OKR Workshops are a Collaborative Effort

Preparation is key before moving into OKR workshop mode.

We develop a first draft of the ‘Top of House’ objectives based on our initial findings and run this by the CEO to ensure alignment.

The executive OKR workshop itself is a highly collaborative process where we co-create the ‘Top of House’ OKRs with the executive team.

As coaches, we guide the process by asking the right questions, synthesizing information, and facilitating discussions.

The goal is to transform complex strategies into simple, understandable objectives and key results.

Once the company OKRs have been finalized, they are ready to be made available to the entire organization.

The best way to go about this is in a company “townhall” meeting, where the executive team explains the rationale behind the OKRs and provides an opportunity for questions.

This allows everyone to see the goals and objectives that the executive team has set, and to understand their active role in achieving them.

The success of these executive OKR workshops can set the tone for the entire organization’s strategic direction.

Getting the ‘Top of House’ OKRs right is crucial, and we devote significant time and effort to ensure they are the best they can be.

If you’re looking to elevate your executive or team OKRs, consider diving deeper into our guide: Running OKR Workshops Like A Pro.

This resource provides detailed insights into facilitating effective OKR setting workshops and crafting meaningful OKRs.

‍