On Uncertainty, Randomness, and How OKRs are Networks

What does it mean to say that OKRs are networks? Why should you think of them as networks and not hierarchies?

In this episode, host Jenny Herald speaks with Chris Butler, global head of operations of Cognizant. He also wrote a post, “OKRs are networks, not hierarchies” that explains his thoughts on the subject of why OKRs are networks, and why he doesn’t care for hierarchies.

Listen in to learn more about OKR networks, randomness and biases, and the Trojan horse of strategy. Chris discusses introducing more variance into work, how to think about the way that people are using products, and the concept of communal computing. 

“If you can in some way help everybody be more educated, maybe we can get somewhere better.” — Chris [00:06:48]

Show notes

• [00:01:06] Introducing Chris and what his role is within his organization
• [00:05:53] Using randomness to break out of bias
• [00:09:49] Introducing more variance into the work
• [00:14:20] Considering product mindset
• [00:18:01] Communal computing
• [00:20:29] The need to embrace uncertainty in product management
• [00:23:16] What it means to say that OKRs are networked
• [00:26:38] How OKRs are a Trojan horse for strategy
• [00:32:42] Having the understanding and information to make good decisions for the overall company
• [00:35:46] The missing pieces between efficiency and growth
• [00:38:01] The speed at which the production line is changing
• [00:39:09] The uncertainty of OKRs 
• [00:41:19] The importance of doing retros
• [00:45:29] OKR cultures
• [00:47:33] Quick-fire questions

Relevant links

• OKRs are networks not hierarchies by Chris Butler
• “Why Greatness Cannot Be Planned: The Myth of the Objective” by Joel Lehman and Kenneth O. Stanley:
• “The Uncertainty Mindset” by Vaughn Tan
• Amazon's Two Pizza Teams
• Oblique Strategies
• “On War” by Carl von Clausewitz