Get Tability: OKRs that don't suck | Learn more →

10 OKR examples for Leadership Development

Write perfect OKRs with Tability AI – try it free with 5k credits

Use Tability to generate OKRs and initiatives in seconds.

tability.io

What are Leadership Development OKRs?

The Objective and Key Results (OKR) framework is a simple goal-setting methodology that was introduced at Intel by Andy Grove in the 70s. It became popular after John Doerr introduced it to Google in the 90s, and it's now used by teams of all sizes to set and track ambitious goals at scale.

Formulating strong OKRs can be a complex endeavor, particularly for first-timers. Prioritizing outcomes over projects is crucial when developing your plans.

We've tailored a list of OKRs examples for Leadership Development to help you. You can look at any of the templates below to get some inspiration for your own goals.

If you want to learn more about the framework, you can read our OKR guide online.

Leadership Development OKRs examples

You'll find below a list of Objectives and Key Results templates for Leadership Development. We also included strategic projects for each template to make it easier to understand the difference between key results and projects.

Hope you'll find this helpful!

OKRs to cultivate exceptional leadership character traits

  • ObjectiveCultivate exceptional leadership character traits
  • KRImplement learned skills in three real projects, receiving positive feedback on each
  • TaskSeek and incorporate feedback from project stakeholders
  • TaskReplicate process for subsequent two projects
  • TaskApply learned skills on first project
  • KRComplete two leadership development courses with a score of 90% or higher
  • TaskResearch and select two relevant leadership development courses
  • TaskCommit to regular study to comprehend course material
  • TaskTake final assessments aiming for 90% score or higher
  • KROrganize five workshops to teach, gather feedback and improve leadership traits
  • TaskIdentify potential experts to lead leadership workshops
  • TaskDevelop workshop curriculum based on leadership traits
  • TaskPlan a comprehensive feedback collection system

OKRs to enhance my leadership capabilities

  • ObjectiveEnhance my leadership capabilities
  • KRComplete three industry-recognized leadership training courses
  • KRReceive an average score of 4.5 or above on a peer-leadership survey
  • TaskResearch and implement effective leadership strategies
  • TaskRegularly undertake leadership development workshops
  • TaskSeek constructive feedback from peers
  • KRFacilitate 5 team meetings to enhance communication and decision-making skills
  • TaskProvide resources and activities during meetings to improve these skills
  • TaskDevelop an agenda focused on enhancing communication and decision-making skills
  • TaskPlan and schedule five team meetings in the upcoming period

OKRs to secure a leadership role within the company

  • ObjectiveSecure a leadership role within the company
  • KRSuccessfully lead three major projects to completion with positive feedback
  • TaskIdentify key objectives for each of the three major projects
  • TaskMonitor progress, address issues and ensure all projects meet/exceed expectations
  • TaskAssign responsibilities and establish timelines for project completion
  • KRAchieve a score of 90% or above in internal leadership competency assessment
  • TaskPractice situational leadership through role play activities
  • TaskReview past assessment feedback and identify areas for improvement
  • TaskAttend relevant training workshops for boosting leadership skills
  • KRAttend and actively participate in at least four leadership training workshops
  • TaskComplete post-workshop assignments or takeaways for review
  • TaskSchedule time for active participation in each workshop
  • TaskResearch and register for four relevant leadership training workshops

OKRs to cultivate and leverage leaders with innovative ideas for organizational growth

  • ObjectiveCultivate and leverage leaders with innovative ideas for organizational growth
  • KRIdentify 10 potential leaders through proven leadership discovery methodologies
  • TaskSelect 10 potential leaders from results
  • TaskResearch proven leadership discovery methodologies
  • TaskApply methodologies to identify potential leaders
  • KRSubstantiate 5 new emergent ideas proposed by the identified leaders
  • TaskResearch the feasibility and potential impact of the new ideas
  • TaskArrange meetings with the leaders to discuss their proposed ideas
  • TaskPrepare detailed reports supporting these emergent concepts
  • KRAchieve a 20% increase in innovative project implementations lead by these leaders
  • TaskImplement training programs focused on innovation
  • TaskEncourage risk-taking and idea experimentation
  • TaskOrganize regular creative brainstorming sessions with leaders

OKRs to enhance leadership abilities in developing new software functionalities

  • ObjectiveEnhance leadership abilities in developing new software functionalities
  • KRAchieve over 95% positive feedback in the team's quarterly performance review
  • TaskConsistently offer constructive feedback and support to team members
  • TaskImplement regular training and development sessions
  • TaskImprove team communication and collaboration regularly
  • KRComplete advanced leadership course in software development by quarter end
  • TaskDedicate a few hours each day for coursework and study
  • TaskEnroll in advanced leadership software development course
  • TaskFinish and submit all assignments before course deadline
  • KRLead a team to successfully deliver a new feature without delays
  • TaskEffectively delegate tasks according to team strengths
  • TaskEstablish regular check-ins to monitor task progress
  • TaskClearly define the feature requirements and scope of work

OKRs to boost HR effectiveness in facilitating organization and people growth

  • ObjectiveBoost HR effectiveness in facilitating organization and people growth
  • KRIncrease employee retention rate by 20%
  • TaskEnhance company benefits and compensation packages
  • TaskImplement a comprehensive employee development and training program
  • TaskIncrease regular feedback and recognition sessions
  • KRDecrease average hiring process time by 15%
  • TaskEstablish a structured, efficient onboarding process
  • TaskStreamline interview scheduling with automated tools
  • TaskImplement standardised skill-based assessments
  • KRUpgrade leadership development programs benefiting 30% of employees
  • TaskSource and hire professional development consultants
  • TaskConduct survey to identify areas for leadership program improvement
  • TaskImplement program changes based on consultant feedback

OKRs to enhance leadership skills in the finance department

  • ObjectiveEnhance leadership skills in the finance department
  • KRAchieve a 20% increase in leadership competency scores in finance team evaluations
  • TaskImplement regular feedback sessions to identify improvements
  • TaskArrange weekly leadership development workshops for the finance team
  • TaskIncorporate mentorship programs with experienced leaders
  • KRImplement a weekly finance-focused leadership workshop for potential leaders
  • TaskSchedule a consistent time for the weekly meetings
  • TaskInvite potential leaders to participate in workshops
  • TaskIdentify relevant finance topics for weekly workshops
  • KRIdentify and mentor 3 high-potential employees for leadership roles
  • TaskBegin one-on-one mentoring sessions regularly
  • TaskIdentify three employees showing leadership potential
  • TaskDevelop personalized mentorship plans for each

OKRs to improve leadership skills and knowledge

  • ObjectiveEnhance Leadership Skills and Knowledge
  • KRApply leadership principles by successfully leading a high-impact project or team
  • TaskDelegate responsibilities based on individual strengths to optimize efficiency and productivity
  • TaskSet clear goals and objectives for the project or team
  • TaskFoster a positive and inclusive team culture, promoting collaboration and celebrating achievements
  • TaskCommunicate effectively and regularly with the team to ensure alignment and progress
  • KREngage in regular mentoring or coaching sessions to receive guidance and feedback on leadership development
  • TaskSet up regular mentoring/coaching sessions with a trusted leader or professional coach
  • TaskImplement the advice and recommendations received during mentoring/coaching sessions into daily leadership practices
  • TaskPrepare questions or topics to discuss during mentoring/coaching sessions on leadership development
  • TaskActively listen and take notes during mentoring/coaching sessions to absorb guidance and feedback
  • KRComplete a leadership training course covering key leadership principles and strategies
  • TaskEnroll in the chosen leadership training course and schedule all required sessions
  • TaskApply learned leadership principles and strategies in daily work and reflect on their effectiveness
  • TaskResearch and find a suitable leadership training course with key principles
  • TaskActively participate in the leadership training course, taking notes and engaging with instructors
  • KRAcquire at least three new leadership books and read them to gain further insight
  • TaskAllocate dedicated time each day to read at least one chapter from the books
  • TaskResearch and compile a list of highly recommended leadership books
  • TaskPurchase three leadership books from the compiled list
  • TaskTake notes and jot down key insights or lessons learned from each book

OKRs to improve leadership skills

  • ObjectiveBecome a more effective leader
  • KRGet better at running 1:1s with the team
  • TaskDevelop a plan for regular team check-ins
  • TaskPractice active listening techniques
  • TaskHold virtual meetings with clear agendas
  • TaskEstablish a team feedback system
  • KRDelegate 20% of current responsibilities to the team
  • KRComplete 4h of training on communication and collaboration
  • TaskRead at least 2 books on leadership theories and concepts
  • TaskAttend a workshop or seminar on leadership
  • TaskParticipate in a leadership development program
  • TaskResearch and analyze successful leadership examples

OKRs to enhance gender diversity across all layers of the organization

  • ObjectiveEnhance gender diversity across all layers of the organization
  • KRMeasure and achieve a 20% improvement in employee gender diversity engagement survey scores
  • TaskImplement gender-neutral communication and practices
  • TaskDevelop a gender diversity training program for all employees
  • TaskConduct regular gender diversity engagement surveys
  • KRIncrease the representation of diverse genders by 30% in leadership roles
  • TaskEstablish mandatory diverse gender leadership training programs
  • TaskImplement affirmative action in leadership succession plans
  • TaskIncrease outreach for leadership positions to diverse gender groups
  • KRImplement a gender diversity training program for all employees
  • TaskMonitor and evaluate the program's effectiveness post-implementation
  • TaskSchedule mandatory training sessions for all employees
  • TaskResearch and select a comprehensive gender diversity training program

How to write your own Leadership Development OKRs

1. Get tailored OKRs with an AI

You'll find some examples below, but it's likely that you have very specific needs that won't be covered.

You can use Tability's AI generator to create tailored OKRs based on your specific context. Tability can turn your objective description into a fully editable OKR template -- including tips to help you refine your goals.

Tability will then use your prompt to generate a fully editable OKR template.

Watch the video below to see it in action 👇

Option 2. Optimise existing OKRs with Tability Feedback tool

If you already have existing goals, and you want to improve them. You can use Tability's AI feedback to help you.

AI feedback for OKRs in TabilityTability's Strategy Map makes it easy to see all your org's OKRs

Tability will scan your OKRs and offer different suggestions to improve them. This can range from a small rewrite of a statement to make it clearer to a complete rewrite of the entire OKR.

You can then decide to accept the suggestions or dismiss them if you don't agree.

Option 3. Use the free OKR generator

If you're just looking for some quick inspiration, you can also use our free OKR generator to get a template.

Unlike with Tability, you won't be able to iterate on the templates, but this is still a great way to get started.

Leadership Development OKR best practices

Generally speaking, your objectives should be ambitious yet achievable, and your key results should be measurable and time-bound (using the SMART framework can be helpful). It is also recommended to list strategic initiatives under your key results, as it'll help you avoid the common mistake of listing projects in your KRs.

Here are a couple of best practices extracted from our OKR implementation guide 👇

Tip #1: Limit the number of key results

Focus can only be achieve by limiting the number of competing priorities. It is crucial that you take the time to identify where you need to move the needle, and avoid adding business-as-usual activities to your OKRs.

We recommend having 3-4 objectives, and 3-4 key results per objective. A platform like Tability can run audits on your data to help you identify the plans that have too many goals.

Tip #2: Commit to weekly OKR check-ins

Having good goals is only half the effort. You'll get significant more value from your OKRs if you commit to a weekly check-in process.

Being able to see trends for your key results will also keep yourself honest.

Tip #3: No more than 2 yellow statuses in a row

Yes, this is another tip for goal-tracking instead of goal-setting (but you'll get plenty of OKR examples above). But, once you have your goals defined, it will be your ability to keep the right sense of urgency that will make the difference.

As a rule of thumb, it's best to avoid having more than 2 yellow/at risk statuses in a row.

Make a call on the 3rd update. You should be either back on track, or off track. This sounds harsh but it's the best way to signal risks early enough to fix things.

How to track your Leadership Development OKRs

Quarterly OKRs should have weekly updates to get all the benefits from the framework. Reviewing progress periodically has several advantages:

We recommend using a spreadsheet for your first OKRs cycle. You'll need to get familiar with the scoring and tracking first. Then, you can scale your OKRs process by using a proper OKR-tracking tool for it.

If you're not yet set on a tool, you can check out the 5 best OKR tracking templates guide to find the best way to monitor progress during the quarter.

More Leadership Development OKR templates

We have more templates to help you draft your team goals and OKRs.

Table of contents