From OKRs to OHLs – A New Approach with Radhika Dutt
Welcome to the Product Masterclass Podcast! In this episode, Sebastian Borggrewe sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, to challenge traditional goal-setting frameworks like OKRs and introduce a new approach: OHLs (Objectives, Hypotheses, Learnings). They explore how metrics can be corrupted by targets, the pitfalls of sandbagging, and why rigid OKRs often constrain teams to outdated goals.
Radhika shares insights from her research and experience, advocating for a shift towards experimentation, collaborative problem-solving, and understanding the story behind the numbers. This conversation will help product managers rethink how they set goals and measure success.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
🚩 Why traditional OKRs can lead to corrupted metrics
📊 The difference between metrics vs. targets and why it matters
🔄 How OHLs promote experimentation and problem-solving
🛠️ Why leaders should define problem statements, not just set targets
🎯 How qualitative insights are just as important as numbers
💡 How to implement OHLs at a grassroots level within your organization
Chapters
00:02- Introduction & How Radhika and Sebastian Met
02:26 - Radhika’s New Book: The Problem with OKRs
06:59 - Why OKRs Fail: Sandbagging, Psychology & The Spotify Model
11:21 - Metrics vs. Goals: Why Goal-Setting Can Backfire
18:37 - The Power of Storytelling & Experimentation Over Targets
23:23 - Introducing OHLs: A Better Approach to Metrics
28:08 - How to Manage Expectations Without OKRs
38:20 - Implementing OHLs: Where to Start
45:08 - Moving Beyond OKRs: A New Way of Thinking
47:37 - Just Product Conference & Radhika’s Workshop
50:33 - Q&A: Strategy, Measurement & Adoption of OHLs
56:30 - Closing & How to Get Involved
Links & Resources
Radical Product Thinking by Radhika Dutt
Product Masterclass – Take Your Product Skills to the Next Level
Connect With Us
Sebastian Borggrewe on LinkedIn
Radhika Dutt on LinkedIn
Follow Product Masterclass on LinkedIn
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