My annual plan used to be full of concrete goals.
I still remember well the time when I did classic strategy work. The goals were set for the entire year. Everything was planned – but I often felt tired of the highly detailed „crystal ball gazing.“ The future turned out differently anyway!
Then I discovered agile strategy work (and later OKRs 😀). Suddenly, everything was different. In our daily work, we no longer stuck to rigid plans but regularly (at least every three months) adjusted and realigned our course. The team was more active, more open, more motivated. Decisions were easier because everyone knew what mattered.
What specifically had changed?
– We regularly aligned on goals (not just once a year)
The goals were clear, but flexible
Everyone on the team continuously contributed their own ideas.
We reacted faster to new challenges by doing a lot of „piloting“ and therefore trying things out.
The feeling: More energy, more collaboration, more impact.
If there's one thing I've learned (and at times it's been quite painful): continuous alignment, adaptation, and one's own intuition will get us much further than a rigid plan with fixed goals (which no longer fits after just a few months).
For me, OKR is not just a tool, but a principle. It helps provide direction and foster genuine collaboration.
How do you handle changes in your strategy? Do you rely on fixed plans or flexible goals?
Let's talk – in confidence, as friends, and as equals. 😊
