What are Leadership OKRs?
The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.
Formulating strong OKRs can be a complex endeavor, particularly for first-timers. Prioritizing outcomes over projects is crucial when developing your plans.
We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Leadership to help you. You can look at any of the templates below to get some inspiration for your own goals.
If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.
How to write your own Leadership OKRs
Option 1. Turn ideas into OKRs with Tability AI
While we have some examples available, it's likely that you'll have specific scenarios that aren't covered here.
You can use Tability's AI generator to create tailored OKRs based on your specific context. Tability can turn your objective description into a fully editable OKR template -- including tips to help you refine your goals.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Click on the "Generate goals using AI" button
- 3. Use natural language to describe your goals
Tability will then use your prompt to generate a fully editable OKR template.
Watch the video below to see it in action 👇
Option 2. Optimise existing OKRs with Tability Feedback tool
If you already have existing goals, and you want to improve them. You can use Tability's AI feedback to help you.
- 1. Go to Tability's plan editor
- 2. Add your existing OKRs (you can import them from a spreadsheet)
- 3. Click on "Generate analysis"
Tability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRsTability will scan your OKRs and offer different suggestions to improve them. This can range from a small rewrite of a statement to make it clearer to a complete rewrite of the entire OKR.
You can then decide to accept the suggestions or dismiss them if you don't agree.
Option 3. Use the free OKR generator
If you're just looking for some quick inspiration, you can also use our free OKR generator to get a template.
Unlike with Tability, you won't be able to iterate on the templates, but this is still a great way to get started.
Leadership OKRs examples
You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Leadership. We also included strategic projects for each template to make it easier to understand the difference between key results and projects.
Hope you'll find this helpful!
OKRs to enhance my leadership capabilities
ObjectiveEnhance my leadership capabilities
KRComplete three industry-recognized leadership training courses- KRReceive an average score of 4.5 or above on a peer-leadership survey
Research and implement effective leadership strategies- Regularly undertake leadership development workshops
- Seek constructive feedback from peers
- KRFacilitate 5 team meetings to enhance communication and decision-making skills
- Provide resources and activities during meetings to improve these skills
- Develop an agenda focused on enhancing communication and decision-making skills
- Plan and schedule five team meetings in the upcoming period
OKRs to enhance leadership skills to drive financial growth
- ObjectiveEnhance leadership skills to drive financial growth
- KRImprove financial planning efficiency by 15 percent
- Reduce unnecessary expenses by optimizing budgets
- Improve data accuracy to streamline financial forecasting
- Implement automated financial planning software
- KRInstitute weekly training to increase leadership skillset by 25%
- Schedule weekly training sessions for staff
- Measure improvement in leadership skills post-training
- Identify relevant leadership training programs or workshops
- KRDecrease operational costs by 10%, increasing margins
- Consolidate functions where possible for high productivity
- Streamline supply chain to reduce inefficiencies
- Implement energy-saving measures throughout the organization
OKRs to secure a leadership role within the company
- ObjectiveSecure a leadership role within the company
- KRSuccessfully lead three major projects to completion with positive feedback
- Identify key objectives for each of the three major projects
- Monitor progress, address issues and ensure all projects meet/exceed expectations
- Assign responsibilities and establish timelines for project completion
- KRAchieve a score of 90% or above in internal leadership competency assessment
- Practice situational leadership through role play activities
- Review past assessment feedback and identify areas for improvement
- Attend relevant training workshops for boosting leadership skills
- KRAttend and actively participate in at least four leadership training workshops
- Complete post-workshop assignments or takeaways for review
- Schedule time for active participation in each workshop
- Research and register for four relevant leadership training workshops
OKRs to cultivate exceptional leadership character traits
- ObjectiveCultivate exceptional leadership character traits
- KRImplement learned skills in three real projects, receiving positive feedback on each
- Seek and incorporate feedback from project stakeholders
- Replicate process for subsequent two projects
- Apply learned skills on first project
- KRComplete two leadership development courses with a score of 90% or higher
- Research and select two relevant leadership development courses
- Commit to regular study to comprehend course material
- Take final assessments aiming for 90% score or higher
- KROrganize five workshops to teach, gather feedback and improve leadership traits
- Identify potential experts to lead leadership workshops
- Develop workshop curriculum based on leadership traits
- Plan a comprehensive feedback collection system
OKRs to enhance leadership skills in teaching
- ObjectiveEnhance leadership skills in teaching
- KRImplement one new initiative based on learnings from leadership training
- Identify one key learning from leadership training
- Launch the new initiative within the team
- Develop a detailed implementation plan for this initiative
- KRAttend two specialized leadership training courses
- Complete both training courses successfully
- Register for the chosen leadership training courses
- Research and select two suitable specialized leadership training courses
- KRAchieve 95% positive feedback in the teacher-leadership evaluation
- Attend workshops to improve teaching and leadership skills
- Implement changes based on received feedback promptly
- Seek regular constructive feedback from colleagues and students
OKRs to enhance leadership abilities for a novice team lead
- ObjectiveEnhance leadership abilities for a novice team lead
- KRDemonstrate improvement by leading 2 successful projects by the end of next quarter
- Identify and clearly define two potential leadership projects
- Develop a comprehensive, deadline-oriented action plan for each
- Execute, manage, and monitor progress for both projects effectively
- KRAchieve a mean feedback score of 4+ from team members in leadership effectiveness
- Improve communication and decision-making skills
- Implement a regular and effective leadership training program
- Solicit and apply feedback from team members
- KRComplete a certified leadership training course by quarter-end
- Research and select a certified leadership training course
- Enroll in the chosen leadership training course
- Complete the training course and obtain certification
OKRs to cultivate and leverage leaders with innovative ideas for organizational growth
- ObjectiveCultivate and leverage leaders with innovative ideas for organizational growth
- KRIdentify 10 potential leaders through proven leadership discovery methodologies
- Select 10 potential leaders from results
- Research proven leadership discovery methodologies
- Apply methodologies to identify potential leaders
- KRSubstantiate 5 new emergent ideas proposed by the identified leaders
- Research the feasibility and potential impact of the new ideas
- Arrange meetings with the leaders to discuss their proposed ideas
- Prepare detailed reports supporting these emergent concepts
- KRAchieve a 20% increase in innovative project implementations lead by these leaders
- Implement training programs focused on innovation
- Encourage risk-taking and idea experimentation
- Organize regular creative brainstorming sessions with leaders
OKRs to enhance and exemplify effective leadership skills
- ObjectiveEnhance and exemplify effective leadership skills
- KRLead a team project, achieving goals within outlined budget and time constraints
- Regularly monitor progress and adjust strategies if needed
- Develop a detailed, efficient budget plan
- Establish clear project objectives and timeline
- KRGather 360° feedback from 10 colleagues to identify and improve leadership weaknesses
- Identify 10 colleagues for feedback collection
- Analyze feedback and create an improvement plan
- Prepare a 360-degree feedback survey
- KRComplete a recognized leadership training course with a score above 85%
- Aim to achieve assessment scores above 85%
- Plan and maintain regular study schedule
- Research and enroll in a reputable leadership training course
OKRs to enhance capabilities of tech leadership
- ObjectiveEnhance capabilities of tech leadership
- KRIncrease retention rate of tech leaders by 20%
- Implement competitive salary packages and attractive benefits for tech leaders
- Develop a comprehensive professional development and training programs
- Foster an inclusive, engaging, and innovative work culture
- KRAchieve 100% participation in coaching sessions across all tech leadership teams
- Follow up regularly ensuring attendance and addressing concerns
- Schedule regular, convenient times for all tech leadership teams
- Communicate importance and objectives of coaching sessions to tech leaders
- KRIntroduce three advanced training programs for leadership in new technologies
- Identify necessary skills for leadership in new technologies
- Implement and promote these training programs
- Design advanced training programs focusing on these skills
OKRs to enhance leadership inclusivity across all teams
- ObjectiveEnhance leadership inclusivity across all teams
- KRImplement inclusivity training for all team leaders by the end of the quarter
- Identify relevant inclusivity training programs for team leaders
- Schedule training sessions for each team leader
- Monitor and report on training progress and effectiveness
- KRDecrease leadership team's turnover rate by 20% through fostering inclusivity
- Encourage open dialogue about inclusivity during team meetings
- Implement comprehensive diversity training for all management level employees
- Establish a mentoring program that promotes inclusivity
- KRIncrease internal survey's inclusivity score by 30% among leadership team
- Encourage honest communication through anonymous feedback
- Revise survey questions to eliminate unconscious bias
- Implement mandatory leadership training on diversity and inclusivity
Leadership OKR best practices
Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.
Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇
Tip #1: Limit the number of key results
Focus can only be achieve by limiting the number of competing priorities. It is crucial that you take the time to identify where you need to move the needle, and avoid adding business-as-usual activities to your OKRs.
We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.
Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins
Having good goals is only half the effort. You'll get significant more value from your OKRs if you commit to a weekly check-in process.
Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.
Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row
Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples above). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.
As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.
Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.
How to track your Leadership OKRs
Quarterly OKRs should have weekly updates to get all the benefits from the framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:
- It brings the goals back to the top of the mind
- It will highlight poorly set OKRs
- It will surface execution risks
- It improves transparency and accountability
We recommend using a spreadsheet for your first OKRs cycle. You'll need to get familiar with the scoring and tracking first. Then, you can scale your OKRs process by using a proper OKR-tracking tool for it.
If you're not yet set on a tool, you can check out the 5 best OKR tracking templates guide to find the best way to monitor progress during the quarter.
More Leadership OKR templates
We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.
- OKRs to enhance homepage with contextually relevant content to engage customers
- OKRs to drive company transformation through HR technology and leadership model redesign
- OKRs to implement diverse payment methods for customers
- OKRs to establish a successful AI affiliate business
- OKRs to elevate operational excellence and customer experience
- OKRs to construct an interactive dashboard in Tableau