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Thinkydoers

By: Sara Lobkovich Red Currant Collective
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  • Summary

  • Thinkydoers™ is an educational and business leadership resource hub and podcast designed for those of us whose work spans the spaces between thought, through the messy middle, and finding the courage and confidence to “do.” I’m a thinky-doer, and I’m here to help others find more satisfaction, less frustration – less friction, and more flow in our work. Here you'll learn about our Evolutionary OKR approach: our useful and proven Objectives and Key Results playbook, that Thinkydoers and change-makers use to help their organizations move through transformation with big outcomes (when people matter).
    Copyright 2019-2024, Sara Lobkovich
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Episodes
  • How to Suck Less As A Manager, with Ben Arendt

    How to Suck Less As A Manager, with Ben Arendt
    Jul 17 2024
    Want to suck less as a manager? Or, do you work with a manager who sucks? Either way, you are NOT alone. Many managers struggle to become good at the difficult job of management: whether it stems from insufficient self-awareness, ineffective communication skills, or a lack of necessary tools, Ben Arendt believes that all managers have a responsibility to improve themselves for the benefit of their careers and the teams they lead. Ben is Principal Consultant at Depth Charge Consulting and author of the recently-released book: How to Suck Less as a Manager: A Practical Guide to Making Your Team Less Miserable Today! In this episode, you’ll learn practical strategies that managers can take right now to better understand, communicate with, and support their teams. Ben highlights the far-reaching impact of leadership and management, we discuss the importance of intellectual humility and the role that vulnerability plays in leadership, as well as his some tips for managing yourself when your manager sucks. We also take a side trip into why we both believe leaders should increase their awareness around skills for working with diverse teams and disabled team members, and a few insights on leading and being led while neurodivergent. From fostering a positive work environment to driving team performance, this conversation is full of valuable insights that can transform your leadership approach today. Ready to take the first step towards becoming a more effective and inspiring manager? You're in the right place. Key Points From This Episode: An overview of Ben’s fascinating career journey and how it led him to write this book. The self-awareness and continuous self-improvement required to be a better manager. How listening to and learning from others can help you develop intellectual humility. Why difficult conversations with diverse groups of people are key to a leader’s success. Three types of activities managers need to do to improve their craft. Practical advice for those who are dealing with managers that suck. Why Sara coaches that “productive struggling” may be a learning step, but sufferring at work is not acceptable. Ben's basic toolkit for better communication skills. Strength in vulnerability: why leaders should embrace emotional transparency. Why you should probably never be the smartest person in the room as a manager or leader. Pro tips for leaders and aspiring leaders who are neurodivergent or "wired differently." Major setbacks that helped to propel Ben forward in his career. Three key similarities between OKRs and being a better manager. Quotes: “If you don't care, you don't deserve to be here [in management]. If you're not willing to listen to other people, you're probably going to do a bad job.” — Ben Arendt [09:50] “Communication, as sophisticated as it is, is imperfect. There are a lot of things that we as managers – can do better, both to help people be [motivated and engaged], but also get them the things that they want so that their careers improve down the line.” — Ben Arendt [15:50] “There are a lot of people that should not be in leadership [who] have become managers because that was just the next step in their career.” — Ben Arendt [18:38] “Getting a diversity of thought and perspective is not value signaling. It's an imperative.” — Ben Arendt [24:18] Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: How to Suck Less as a Manager, on Amazon How to Suck Less as a Manager website Ben Arendt on LinkedIn Bed Arendt Email Depth Charge Consulting Sara Lobkovich Sara Lobkovich on Instagram Sarah Lobkovich Email Sara Lobkovich on Mastadon Red Currant Collective Sign up for RedCurrantCo’s Newsletter Red Currant Collective on Instagram Become a guest on Thinkydoers Thinkydoers Podcast Home
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    37 mins
  • Real People, Real Stories: OKR Coach and Specialist Jason Johnston (Part 2)

    Real People, Real Stories: OKR Coach and Specialist Jason Johnston (Part 2)
    Jul 9 2024

    How do you find balance as a Thinkydoer with a busy, curious, learning-focused brain? Today, we explore this question (and more) as I continue my insightful conversation with Jason Johnston, OKR Practice Lead at Genetec. (If you missed Part 1, pop back to Episode 17 and then come back here after.)

    Tuning in, you’ll discover some of the most profound lessons from Jason’s unique and varied career.

    From facing a career-altering setback J.J. considers his "greatest professional accomplishment," to finding new paths forward, his journey demonstrates the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.

    Join us as we explore how personal passions outside of work--whether it's building LEGO, climbing mountains, or repairing antique typewriters -- can recharge our professional lives, and why disconnecting and taking proper breaks is essential for reconnecting with our intrinsic motivation.

    Don't miss this enriching conversation as we dive deep into the human side of leadership!

    Key Points From This Episode:

    • How to check out the new No-BS OKR Self-Assessment tool.
    • What Jason considers to be his greatest professional accomplishment.
    • The biggest learnings that have propelled him forward.
    • Navigating setbacks and how to have a learning-focused career.
    • Lessons for making OKR work sustainable, including recharging outside of work.
    • How taking meaningful breaks can help you reconnect with your intrinsic motivation.
    • Sara and Jason’s mutual love for LEGO!
    • How having the mentality of a four-year-old benefits Jason’s well-being.
    • Jason’s top book recommendations.

    Quotes:

    “It is a failure, [but] I think the success comes [from] realizing that I didn't have control over it, and it's not my fault. Why should I let this get me down? You’ve got to keep going. You’ve got to keep moving.” — Jason Johnston [05:52]

    “It's about cutting yourself off completely [and] giving your brain time to think and do something else.” — Jason Johnston [08:38]

    “Take what it is that you love, disconnect, and go do it. Make it big, whatever it is. Make it big. Make it worth a four-year-old's mentality.” — Jason Johnston [12:14]

    Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

    • Genetec
    • Jason Johnston on LinkedIn
    • Red Currant No-BS OKR Self-Assessment Tool
    • Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal
    • Sara Lobkovich
    • Sara Lobkovich Email Address
    • Sara Lobkovich on Mastadon
    • Red Currant Collective
    • Sign up for RedCurrant’s newsletter
    • Red Currant Collective on Instagram
    • Thinkydoers
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    19 mins
  • Meet an OKR Coach: Jason Johnston (Part One)

    Meet an OKR Coach: Jason Johnston (Part One)
    Jul 2 2024
    Establishing clear objectives and key results (OKRs) isn't just about direction and accountability. It’s about driving real change within organizations. Today’s episode kicks off our two-part conversation with the delightful Jason Johnston, OKR Practice Lead for Genetec, a technology company in the security products and solutions space. Jason is also a veteran whose 20-year military career has given him a unique perspective on leadership and problem-solving. Join us as Jason shares his insights on fostering an environment where OKRs can thrive, the challenges of shifting from a task-oriented to an outcome-oriented mindset, and the critical role of leadership in guiding teams. We also explore how positive reinforcement and diverse perspectives on outcomes can drive success and why so many OKR practitioners exemplify servant leadership. Tune in to discover practical tips and inspiring stories from Jason’s journey, and learn how to navigate the complexities of OKRs in your own work environment! Key Points From This Episode: A quick update: How to check out the new No-BS OKR Self-Assessment tool. Insight into Jason’s role as the OKR Practice Lead at Genetec. Why he’s a self-described servant leader and why that’s often the case for OKR practitioners. How he first started working with OKRs and got his company to create a position for him. Driving change within a company by leading others rather than doing the work for them. Jason’s unique career background and what initially attracted him to the practice of OKRs. Lessons on heroism and preparation from his military career (and how it relates to OKRs). The adaptive nature of Jason’s work environment: how it has facilitated his career transitions. How the No-BS OKR class changed Jason’s approach to OKRs and made it more intuitive. The biggest challenges Jason has seen when it comes to implementing OKRs. Using leadership to help people shift from a task-oriented to an outcome-oriented mindset. Why existing metrics aren’t always adequate for measuring outcomes and leading indicators. Key aspects of OKRs that have made a difference in Jason’s life and work. How continuous learning and service leadership among OKR practitioners foster positivity. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Genetec Jason Johnston on LinkedIn Red Currant No-BS OKR Self-Assessment Tool Measure What Matters Christina Wodke & Radical Focus Sara LobkovichSara Lobkovich Email AddressSara Lobkovich on MastadonRed Currant CollectiveSign up for RedCurrant’s newsletterRed Currant Collective on Instagram Thinkydoers Quotes: “I consider myself a servant-leader, that’s how I function and how I act. I get my success from others succeeding. I don’t get my success from me succeeding.” — Jason Johnston [07:35] “If we want to create real change in anything we’re doing, especially in the companies we’re in, somebody has to drive it.” — Jason Johnston [14:03] “The No-BS OKRs class really kind of changed the way I look at OKRs and [made] it more intuitive.” — Jason Johnston [22:28] “We have to put as much emphasis on the things that we accomplish as well as the things we don’t accomplish. And the process built around that is important.” — Jason Johnston [37:02]
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    38 mins
Career Success Economics
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