Strategy Candy: Strategy | OKR | Product Management

About Strategy Candy: Strategy | OKR | Product Management

Strategy Candy is your solution getting everyone in your business behind the plan. Covering everything from creating a powerful strategy, setting audacious goals with OKR (Objectives and Key Results), Product Management and building high performing teams. This series is a mix of interviews with successful founders and executives, interviews with through leaders and practical tips with Tim Newbold. Founder, advisor and coach to product businesses.

Publisher

Tim Newbold

Category

business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Nov 2024

Latest episode

18 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   18 Nov 2025

   Eliminating Bad Execution: Making Strategy Work with Daniel Mälsjö

   What separates teams that talk about OKRs from those that actually use them to change how they work? In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Mälsjö, founder of FutureWorks, whose mission is simple, eliminate bad execution. Daniel and his team coach leaders and build OKR software designed to drive focus, rhythm, and culture change. He shares how OKR reboots have become more common than first-time adoptions, why bravery beats process, and what really happens when leadership doesn’t follow through. We dive into leadership courage, the difference between applying a structure and changing a way of working, and why fear of failure often drives faster results than hope of success. Daniel also shares his perspective on culture, trust, and how leaders create the foundations for psychological safety and accountability. If you’re wondering how to turn OKR from a tick-box exercise into a transformation engine, this episode gives you the raw truth. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast 00:39 Meet Daniel: The OKR Expert 01:34 FutureWorks: Eliminating Bad Execution 02:52 Diverse Clientele and OKR Implementation 05:06 Challenges in OKR Adoption 07:32 The Importance of Management Support 14:22 Daniel's Journey with OKRs 17:33 The Role of Customer Experience 22:55 Handling Challenges and Team Dynamics 23:54 Exploring Leadership and Team Dynamics 24:28 The Importance of Psychological Safety 26:34 Implementing OKRs: Challenges and Insights 27:19 Assessing Team Psychological Safety 29:27 Addressing Managerial Resistance 33:03 Common Mistakes with OKRs 40:25 Innovative Approaches to OKRs 44:21 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Resource Links FutureWorks OKR Platform — FutureworksFutureworks OKR Software: Align Teams, Drive Results (https://futureworks.com/) Our Iceberg Is Melting by John Kotter — Kotterinc Our Iceberg Is Melting - Kotter International Inc (https://www.kotterinc.com/our-iceberg-is-melting/) OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE (https://okrquickstart.com/podcast) Follow Tim on LinkedIn: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/) Follow Daniel Mälsjö: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmalsjo/)

2. 

   24 Oct 2025

   How Atlassian uses OKR to Keep 15,000 People Aligned with Amber Morey-Wu

   How does a company of 15,000 people keep strategy, goals, and execution moving in the same rhythm? In this episode, Amber Morey-Wu, Principal Program Manager at Atlassian, takes us behind the curtain. We talk about Atlassian’s “Business Rhythms” team and their rolling four approach to planning. Every quarter, they review results, reset priorities, and look forward four quarters, keeping strategy alive and flexible, not a once-a-year tick box. Amber shares how Atlassian thinks about OKR, from company-level L1 objectives down to team goals. She explains why not everything needs to ladder up, why focus matters more than coverage, and why OKR should always be about change-the-business impact, not just run-the-business metrics. You’ll also hear about the rituals that keep executives engaged, the role of context in driving buy-in, and why OKR should inspire ambition rather than add complexity. Timestamp: 00:00 Introduction to Strategy Candy Podcast 01:06 Meet Amber Wu from Atlassian 01:46 Amber's Journey to Atlassian 02:44 Understanding Business Rhythms at Atlassian 04:36 Atlassian's Team Collaboration Tools 07:02 The Role of OKRs at Atlassian 15:20 Implementing and Evolving OKRs 19:49 Executive Involvement in OKRs 24:39 OKRs in Product Teams 26:35 Outcomes Over Outputs 27:03 Fostering a Culture of Impact at Atlassian 28:04 Personal Secret Sauce and Current Challenges 28:30 The Power of Context and Human Connection 29:00 Leveraging Loom for Better Communication 31:25 The Importance of OKRs and Short Feedback Cycles 36:54 Personal Goals vs. OKRs 41:27 Books and Podcasts for Personal Growth 46:07 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways Resource Links Jacinda Ardern: Leading With Heart (autobiography) — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735589/jacinda-ardern-by-madeline-hyland/ (https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735589/jacinda-ardern-by-madeline-hyland/) (Amber is listening to the audio version narrated by Ardern herself) Pivot Podcast with Kara Swisher & Scott Galloway — https://www.vox.com/podcasts/pivot (https://www.vox.com/podcasts/pivot) Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky Podcast — https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-monica-lewinsky-70188 (https://www.audacy.com/podcasts/rethinking-with-monica-lewinsky-70188) Good Hang with Amy Poehler — https://www.earwolf.com/show/amys-good-hang/ (https://www.earwolf.com/show/amys-good-hang/) OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE (https://okrquickstart.com/podcast) Follow Tim on LinkedIn: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/) Follow Amber Morey-Wu on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambermoreywu/)

3. 

   5 Sept 2025

   Mission-Driven OKR: Juan Sanchez on Leading Impact at Inteleos

   Juan Sanchez, CIO at Inteleos, joins us to break down how OKRs are powering real change in the nonprofit sector. Inteleos, a global leader in medical certification, is using OKRs not just to track progress, but to redefine what impact looks like across borders. Juan shares how Inteleos shifted from traditional project thinking to outcome-driven impact, scaled their remote workforce across six countries, and kept strategy alive with a global-first mindset. We explore the challenges of moving from outputs to outcomes, the radical shift to a learning-first culture, and why associations need to unbundle membership and think like product-led companies if they want to stay relevant. If you’ve ever wondered how a nonprofit can operate like a tech startup and scale its mission globally, this conversation is for you. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Juan Sanchez, CIO of Inteleos, on building global impact through OKRs. 02:10 – What is Inteleos? Inside the nonprofit certifying 120,000 sonographers and growing. 05:00 – Discovering OKRs: How Measure What Matters kicked off a new way of thinking. 08:30 – From Output to Outcome: Why shifting from traditional project thinking to outcomes was so challenging—and so necessary. 12:00 – Team Buy-In and the Power of Goals: How Inteleos uses individual goals separately from team OKRs. 17:00 – Aligning Global Teams with OKRs: Strategies for syncing teams across six countries with a common mission. 20:00 – Impact OKRs and Why They Matter: Measuring real-world change in healthcare on a seven-year horizon. 24:00 – Ditching Cascading for Alignment: How Inteleos uses cross-team OKRs to solve complex global challenges. 28:00 – The Learning Culture: From "The Interaction Field" to "Thinking in Systems," how reading and learning fuel innovation. 31:00 – Building for the Long Game: Why Inteleos is designed to transform—not just sustain—the medical certification space. 36:00 – The Cockroach Conundrum: Why some nonprofits stagnate and how to break free. 40:00 – Unbundling Memberships & Product Thinking: A call for associations to rethink their business models. 45:00 – Advice for Nonprofits: How to think beyond legacy models and drive real change. 48:00 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Next for Inteleos: Global expansion, new products, and bigger impact. Guest Bio: Juan Sanchez is the Chief Information Officer at Inteleos, a nonprofit based outside Washington, DC, that certifies medical professionals across six countries. With over 120,000 sonographers certified, Inteleos is redefining global standards in medical imaging. Juan is passionate about bringing a tech startup mindset to nonprofits, driving impact through OKRs, agile principles, and a relentless commitment to learning. He’s a vocal advocate for outcome-based thinking in the nonprofit sector and believes that real change happens when strategy is aligned with mission-driven action. OKR Quickstart Guide & Resources HERE (https://okrquickstart.com/podcast) Follow Tim on LinkedIn: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/) Follow Juan Sanchez on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/juansprofile/)

4. 

   9 May 2025

   Dancing, Mechanics & Rebooting OKR: The COO who helped scale booking technology in the automotive space

   Lucus West, COO at AutoGuru, discusses AutoGuru's journey of reshaping its approach to goals and strategy using OKRs to drive team alignment and achieve tangible outcomes in this interview.

5. 

   25 Apr 2025

   Dancing, Mechanics & Rebooting OKR: The COO that built a world-leading marketplace

   COO Lucus West discusses AutoGuru's journey of reshaping its approach to OKRs, strategy, and team alignment, offering a blueprint for businesses outgrowing their goal-setting playbook in this interview with Tim Newbold.

6. 

   18 Apr 2025

   How to Build OKRs That Actually Drive Change from Day One with Natasha Redman

   Change leader Natasha Redman discusses with Tim Newbold how to build effective OKRs that drive organizational change from the start, highlighting the importance of understanding the 'why' behind goals in this interview.

7. 

   11 Apr 2025

   OKR for Tech Leaders - How they actually work (and where they go wrong) with Andrew Murphy

   Host Tim Newbold interviews Andrew Murphy about implementing OKRs effectively in technology leadership, exploring common pitfalls and emphasizing the importance of aligning team goals with organizational outcomes.

8. 

   4 Apr 2025

   From Opera to OKR: How Storytelling Builds Better Strategy with Mat Lawrence

   COO Mat Lawrence discusses with Tim Newbold how storytelling improves leadership and team alignment, especially when applied to OKRs, in this interview.

9. 

   21 Mar 2025

   The Secret to Writing OKRs That Actually Work with Péter Tóth

   Business strategist Péter Tóth discusses with Tim Newbold the common mistakes teams make when writing OKRs and shares a step-by-step approach for setting better objectives in this interview.

10. 

    14 Mar 2025

    OKR in the Real World: Lessons from SEEK with Mark Henry

    Product leader Mark Henry shares his experience embedding OKRs at SEEK, discussing challenges in leadership alignment and customer-driven decisions in an interview with the host.

11. 

    6 Mar 2025

    How to master influence through Storytelling with Shawn Callahan

    Storytelling expert Shawn Callahan discusses with host Tim Newbold how businesses use storytelling to improve leadership, communication, and culture, emphasizing authentic narratives over traditional heroic tales in this interview.

12. 

    27 Feb 2025

    Cracking the Code: Linking OKRs to Performance Without Killing Motivation

    Tim Newbold explores the advantages and disadvantages of connecting objectives and key results to performance management, providing leaders with actionable insights on fostering accountability without hindering creativity.

13. 

    20 Feb 2025

    Building a People-First Leadership Culture with Samantha McIntyre (ex-CIO L’Oreal)

    Host Tim Newbold interviews Samantha McIntyre, former CIO of L’Oreal, about building a people-first leadership culture and actionable strategies for career growth, gender equity, and resilient teams.

14. 

    30 Jan 2025

    Why Culture is Everything: How Peter Forbes Built a SaaS Business Worth Acquiring

    Summary: In this episode, Tim sits down with Peter Forbes, founder of HR Onboard, which he grew from a startup into a thriving business acquired by Elmo Software. Peter shares his path from a young developer to a tech entrepreneur, offering insights into what it takes to create a purpose-driven, people-first company. This conversation goes beyond typical startup advice to reveal why a strong company culture is the real game-changer in any business journey. Whether you’re an early-stage founder or a seasoned leader, you’ll learn powerful tips for creating a high-performing team and positioning a business for acquisition. Plus, Tim and Peter dive into how OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) can help pinpoint focus, avoid distractions, and accelerate growth. Timestamps: [00:00] – Tim introduces Peter Forbes and the journey of HR Onboard. [00:02] – Peter’s early days: From developer to entrepreneur. [00:07] – The importance of freedom, independence, and building a team. [00:14] – Navigating through a diversified business: Why focus matters. [00:19] – How to choose your business path based on passion, not profit. [00:24] – Building a values-driven company: The “Robot, Monkey, Spaceman” framework. [00:30] – Real talk on hiring and firing: Why alignment with core values is critical. [00:38] – The power of strategic agility: Adjusting direction without losing focus. [00:45] – Lessons learned from burnout and the struggle of “doing it all.” [00:55] – Peter’s next venture: Ensuring payroll compliance across industries. [00:57] – Tim’s top takeaways and the significance of customer-centered problem-solving. Guest Bio: Peter Forbes is the founder of HR Onboard, a company he scaled into a successful acquisition by Elmo Software. With a background in software development and deep experience in HR tech, Peter built his business on a foundation of strong company values, customer-centered design, and a relentless focus on culture. A firm believer in keeping things simple, Peter’s journey demonstrates how clarity, purpose, and team alignment can drive sustained growth and long-term success. Now taking a sabbatical, he’s exploring new projects with a focus on payroll compliance tools. Check the OKR Quickstart website: okrquickstart.com (http://okrquickstart.com/) https://okrquickstart.com/ (https://okrquickstart.com/) Follow Tim Newbold: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/timnewbold/) https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/ (https://www.instagram.com/okr.tim/)

15. 

    20 Dec 2024

    How executives can lead better and use OKR to nail strategy | Mike Ilczynski (ex-SEEK and Red Bubble CEO)

    Former CEO Mike Ilczynski shares how OKR aligns incentives, builds a culture of productive paranoia, and empowers teams to drive measurable impact and sustainable growth.

16. 

    13 Dec 2024

    What is OKR?

    Host Tim Newbold breaks down the game-changing framework of OKRs, providing a step-by-step guide to setting and implementing Objectives and Key Results for focus, alignment, and measurable progress.

17. 

    8 Nov 2024

    Welcome to Strategy Candy: Simplifying OKR, Strategy and Product

    Strategy Candy host Tim Newbold introduces the OKR framework and shares practical advice for high-performing product teams and achieving bold goals.

Who has been a guest on Strategy Candy: Strategy | OKR | Product Management

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Lucus West
• Natasha Redman
• Andrew Murphy
• Mat Lawrence
• Péter Tóth

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

5 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

54

Social presence

100

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Strategy Candy: Strategy | OKR | Product Management

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.