By Sara Lobkovich, Red Currant Collective
5
44 ratings
The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.
And we’re lucky to have play expert TJ Matton back for this second episode in our two-part series on play. If you haven’t already, listen to last week’s episode for fundamentals about the science of play; and here we get practically applied. How can you increase play in your life? Listen (or read on) for answers.
Episode Highlights:
Foundations of Play: Play is essential for learning and development, helping us build new neural pathways.
Play as a Mindfulness Practice: Integrating play into daily life to enhance mindfulness and personal growth.
Managing Hypervigilance: Practical exercises to use play as a tool for managing hypervigilance.
Mindfulness and Emotional Reactivity: Shifting from emotional reactivity to curiosity through play.
Types of Play: Exploring different play patterns and how to integrate them into everyday activities.
Common Questions:
How can play help with mindfulness?
What are some practical ways to integrate play into daily life?
How can play be used to manage hypervigilance?
Notable Quotes:
“Play is how we learn new ways of thinking, being, and operating. It’s necessary for growth and evolution.”
“Focusing on our enjoyment is never wasted; it’s an embodiment practice.”
“Hypervigilance can be a play buddy. Opt into it in safe environments to transform it from a suffering experience to an impulse for growth.”
Guest Information:
TJ Matton: Founder and Chief Play Officer of the Playful Revolution. You can find more information about TJ and her work at theplayfulrevolution.com and on Instagram at @theplayfulrevolution.
Next Episode Teaser: Join us next week for a conversation with another incredible expert about stuckness and mental health. Don’t miss it!
Special Offer: Are you feeling overwhelmed by conflicting priorities? Struggling to achieve the results you need in your organization or career? It’s time to unblock your inner strategist. Join my community membership program, designed for aspiring and practicing strategic operators who think differently. Right now, membership is $100 off for the full year, just in time to help with your Q3, Q4 transition and ramp up for 2025. Visit findrc.co/ubyis to learn more.
Stay Connected: Thank you for joining and listening. I can’t wait to hear what resonated with you in this episode. Subscribe to our newsletter at findrc.co/newsletter to stay updated. You can find me, Sara Lobkovich, pretty much everywhere online. Feel free to contact me at [email protected]. If you have other Thinkydoers in your work world, please pass this episode along. We appreciate your referrals, mentions, shares, and reviews.
Find full show notes and transcript at http://saralobkovich.com/thinkydoers-pod.
Are you ready to rethink everything you think you know about play? Want to learn more about the science of play as a powerful tool for personal growth and well-being?
This week’s guest, TJ Matton, founder and chief play officer of the Playful Revolution, joins me to dive deep into the science and practice of play (especially for those of us for whom "play" may not feel like it comes naturally.
TJ shares her insights as a trauma therapist and play advocate, exploring some foundational science (and neuroscience) about play, including play as a "primal drive" and essential part of learning. This episode is part one in a two part series: today, we lay the foundation of why play is important. In next week's episode, we'll continue our conversation with practical guidance for how to incorporate play into your mindfulness practices (even if you want to run the other direction when I say "play" or "mindfulness").
For complete show notes and transcript, visit http://saralobkovich.com/thinkydoers-pod.
Episode HighlightsEpisode Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Thinkydoers Podcast
00:40 Quick Promo and Upcoming Events
02:10 Exciting Episode with TJ: Play and Mindfulness
03:48 TJ's Background and Passion for Play
06:04 The Importance of Play in Our Lives
09:47 Balancing Novelty and Repetition in Play
17:44 Exploring Different Play Styles
21:19 Play as a Social and Solo Activity
29:06 Play and Vulnerability
34:37 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser
Common QuestionsSara's Links and Resources
Have you ever thought about a career in product -- whether product management, product development, or product engineering?
You'll enjoy this conversation with Sten Pittet, CEO of Tability. In our last episode, Sten interviewed Thinkydoers host Sara about her journey into OKRs; today, we flipped the script for Sara to interview Sten about his fascinating journey starting in software development after uni, into product engineering in a mid-size company (that became a large company during his tenure), and then the transition into the CEO and founder seat with his latest venture, Tability.
For complete show notes and transcript, visit http://saralobkovich.com/thinkydoers-pod.
Episode Highlights:
Common Questions:
What is the difference between working in product at a smaller company and being in product at a larger company? In smaller companies, you have more direct user interaction and creativity, while larger companies require more stakeholder management and strategic alignment.
What are OKRs and how did they influence Sten’s work? OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) are a goal-setting framework that helped Sten and his teams stay focused and aligned.
Notable Quotes from Sten Pittet:
“When a company is bigger, for you to change direction, it’s like it’s a big ship. And so if we decide to turn left, you’re moving a lot of people out of what they’re doing.”
“If you try to convince a group of people, the first thing you need to do is not tell them why you think you’re right, but ask them what they think is going to go wrong.”
“I think what’s good about the world is that you have like really different types of people.”
“Don’t try to be perfect. One mistake that I see people doing—trying to have a perfect cascading, perfect set of forecasts, perfect everything.”
“For me, OKRs and our platform, the way we see ourselves is we want to enable the right conversations.”
This is a bit unconventional ... but today, the host of Thinkydoers is the guest!
Please welcome Sten Pittet, Co-Founder and CEO of Tability, a collaboration platform for outcome-driven teams, as this week’s Guest Host of Thinkydoers … with OKR Coach and creator of No-BS OKRs (and Thinkydoer’s host) Sara Lobkovich in the hot seat!
If you're a regular listener you might be thinking:
"WTF? A platform guest?!"
But hear me out. Sten is with a platform... and he's also a Thinkydoer. We've been in touch here and there for almost a year now, and when he asked during our last chat if he could interview me for a podcast episode ... I just couldn't pass up the chance to answer questions from another pro in my network.
Today's episode is part one of a two-part series. Here, Sten asks me the questions he's been waiting to ask me while a recording is rolling ever since our first chat.
We touch on my own journey with OKRs, including how they've shaped my career and practice, some of the challenges organizations encounter when trying to implement them, and my unique No-BS OKRs approach, which focuses in efficiency and simplicity.
Sten also makes a great plug (unsolicited!) for my No-BS OKRs Workbook, which is currently available as a PDF download from https://findrc.co/pdfworkbook (USD) or https://findrc.co/pdfwkbkAUD (AUD) and will be available in print later this fall, along with my first full-length release: You Are A Strategist: Using No-BS Objectives and Key Results To Get Big Things Done.
Come back next week for part two of the series, when I get to turn the tables and ask Sten about his Thinkydoer career, which took him from development into product management, and now into the CEO and founder role; and, about why and how Tability came to be.
Episode Highlights“My whole life as an individual contributor was trying to learn how to read minds because I just, I don’t know if some people can figure out what’s expected or if some people are less sensitive to that. And so they just kind of work to their inner compass, but I really struggled to understand what was expected.” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs
“I fundamentally believe that every person listening to this podcast is a potential future CEO. That’s just how I approach everyone I work with.” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs
“OKRs sometimes get brought in by the people just like Agile, you know, just like Scrum. And so sometimes the methodology comes in within the organization, but a lot of times OKRs come in through the C-suite or come in through the executives with a model of ‘I want more performance from our team.’” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs
“When we have leaders that model those behaviors, that’s when implementations tend to be really successful, because then that’s when people in the organization see this is beneficial for me because it fills in my information gaps. It makes it easier for me to align my work to what’s important. I can be more successful.” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs
“I wanted [The No-BS OKRs Workbook] to be a simple, useful way for anyone, even if they’ve never heard of an OKR before, to sit down and have support and scaffolding to walk through the steps of OKR creation for the first time.” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs
“I know I am my best when I am telling the absolute truth, when I get to just call it like I see it and be honest and unfiltered and -- kind, always -- but direct and honest.” - Sara Lobkovich, Creator, No-BS OKRs
Are you an early- or mid-career individual contributor, curious about how to showcase your contributions and gain the recognition your work deserves? This week's guest, Sally Ivester, brings us a fresh perspective on architecting your own career successfulness -- without trying to be someone you're not.
Sally is a chief of staff in big tech who had a career-transforming experience when she downshifted her approach to career before the birth of her daughter. She joins us this week to share her perspectives on making the shift to playing your career on "easy mode" for those of us more used to playing our careers on "hard mode."
We talk about the subject I personally love to hate: managing up. We also discuss the importance of proactively setting and communicating boundaries, and Sally's approaches to navigating feedback and what she calls "working loudly," (including a very introvert-friendly way to do so in writing). This short episode packs a punch of career development, for listeners who are looking to upskill at playing the corporate game (without masking or playing politics in ways that don't suit you).
Sally was also very generous in sharing resources with us -- check out the links below!
Do you have a question or topic you'd like to see me tackle either as a solo episode or with a guest? I'm all ears. Visit the Thinkydoers home page and contact me there, or, point your guest suggestions my way!
Episode HighlightsI know the first meeting with an Objectives and Key Results coach can be intimidating. Last week, I started building a virtual consult experience through my website and other technologies, because I know a lot of people want to learn more about working with an Objectives and Key Results coach or working with new ways of strategic planning and not everybody wants to schedule a meeting right away.
Ultimately, this expereince will allow you to do a self-guided virtual consultation. I recorded a video to support that and then thought, well, this is actually great information for a podcast episode, too. Here, you’ll find answers to the three questions I’m asked in almost every consult I do with a prospect, and get a huge head start on your confidence when seeking support from an OKR coach or other OKR professional.
So, give it a listen!
I can't wait to hear your questions, and if you'd like a personalized virtual consult, visit findrc.co/virtcon, and that'll take you to my coaching portal where you can complete an intake form that kicks off your personalized virtual consult.
As you're listening, jot down your thoughts about what questions you think I should answer in a virtual consult, and then send them my way. I'd love to address them either in my Frequently Asked Questions or in future versions of this virtual consult.
I hope you enjoy the episode, and again, I can't wait to hear your questions. This episode is packed with practical advice and answers to common questions about OKR coaching and implementation.
Episode HighlightsWhat are OKRs?: Understanding the basics of Objectives and Key Results.
Virtual Consultation Simulation: Sara simulates a consultation, explaining her methods and answering common questions.
Top-Level OKRs: Starting with senior leaders to establish best practices.
Senior Leadership Onboarding: Ensuring leaders can model OKR behaviors.
Organization-Wide Communication: Sharing OKRs with the entire organization.
Localization/Scale Phase: Adapting OKRs to different organizational levels.
Common Questions:
Implementation: How to start or reboot OKRs.
Localization: How to cascade OKRs through the organization.
Integration with Personal Goals: Aligning OKRs with individual performance management and incentive systems.
“OKRs are a goal-setting framework used to increase focus, clarity, and alignment within organizations.”
“We start with those top-level OKRs with the senior-most leader so that we can establish what the best practice is going to look like for the rest of the organization.”
“The localization approach that I use with clients is a little bit different. We establish those awesome best practice top-line goals at the top of the organization, and then we do a first level localization to the functional orgs that report into the top-level.”
Download: No-BS OKRs In A Box one sheet
Virtual Consult: Start your personalized virtual consult
Free Resources: Access all free resources
Get your No-BS OKR Self-Assessment Strengths (and Growth Opportunities)
Strategic achievement scorecard quiz (in beta)
WTF are OKRs guide
In this Thinkydoers short, I'm sharing a few exciting updates from Red Currant Collective. For one, we just revealed the covers for my two upcoming books: the "No-BS OKRs Workbook" and "You Are A Strategist: Use No-BS Objectives and Key Results to Get Big Things Done." The Workbook, set to print in Q3, provides essential tools for creating effective OKRs quickly, while "You Are A Strategist" is a playbook for change-makers to connect strategy with goal-exceeding implementation and will fast-follow the Workbook's release -- all in time to help with your year-end reset!
Highlights:
Call to Action:
Closing Thoughts: Sara encourages listeners to focus on their important goals and looks forward to sharing more insights in the next episode.
For more information, or to pitch a guest appearance on this podcast, please visit: https://saralobkovich.com/thinkydoers-pod
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:
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
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:
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:
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:
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
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]
The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.
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