Audiobook Sample

Listen to the sample to experience the story.

Please wait while we verify your browser...

Hello fellow seekers of wisdom and stories that shape the world,

As I wound through the Andean highlands last summer, listening to the collective voices of “Measure What Matters”, I was struck by how perfectly this audiobook experience mirrored my journey – both offering clear paths through challenging terrain. John Doerr’s masterpiece isn’t just another business audiobook; it’s an expedition into the heart of what makes organizations (and adventurers like us) truly thrive.

The first thing that captivated me was the chorus of narrators – like sitting around a campfire with some of the world’s most fascinating minds. Hearing Bono discuss OKRs for global change between guitar riffs, or Susan Wojcicki explain YouTube’s growth between airport sprints to catch connecting flights, gave me that same electric feeling I get when stumbling upon unexpected wisdom during my travels. The multiple voices create a textured listening experience that single-narrator business audiobooks often lack.

Doerr’s central concept – Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) – reminded me of navigating through the Amazon with local guides. They’d set our daily objective (reach the next village), then identify key results (cross two rivers, follow the red-marked trees). This audiobook reveals how that same structured yet adaptable approach powered Google’s rise and helped the Gates Foundation combat malaria. The case studies unfold like vivid travelogues, each destination more compelling than the last.

What makes this audiobook special is how it balances big-picture thinking with gritty details. One moment you’re soaring with Bono’s vision for ONE Campaign’s global impact, the next you’re in the trenches with startup founders implementing OKRs in their cramped offices. The production quality enhances this journey – crisp audio, well-paced narration, and subtle musical cues that signal transitions without distracting.

As someone who’s documented organizational cultures from Silicon Valley to Senegalese fishing cooperatives, I appreciated Doerr’s emphasis on transparency and alignment. The audiobook’s structure itself mirrors OKR principles – clear objectives for each chapter, measurable insights, and regular check-ins through reflective questions. It’s rare to find a business audiobook that practices what it preaches so elegantly.

While the content is stellar, the sheer number of narrators could disorient listeners craving a consistent voice. At times, I found myself pausing to mentally ‘recalibrate’ between sections – much like adjusting to a new city’s rhythm after an overnight bus ride. Yet this variety ultimately strengthens the audiobook, offering diverse perspectives that enrich the core message.

The audiobook shines brightest when Doerr himself narrates, his voice carrying the quiet authority of someone who’s walked the talk. His accounts of working with Andy Grove at Intel have the intimacy of a traveler sharing secrets over whiskey – equal parts practical and profound. You can almost hear the Silicon Valley garage doors opening as he recounts early meetings with Google’s founders.

For listeners familiar with business audiobooks like “Atomic Habits” or “The Lean Startup”, this offers something different – not just principles but a complete operating system backed by extraordinary case studies. The Gates Foundation section particularly moved me, recalling nights in rural clinics where clear objectives meant the difference between life and death.

If I had to offer one critique, it’s that the audiobook occasionally assumes familiarity with tech industry jargon. Some explanations could dive deeper for listeners without startup experience. But these moments are rare, and the vivid storytelling carries you through.

As the audiobook concluded during my descent into Cusco, I found myself applying OKRs to my own work before the wheels touched tarmac. That’s the magic of this production – it doesn’t just inform, it transforms. Whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 company or a small travel blog like mine, these principles translate with surprising power.

The final chapter’s reflection on ‘stretch goals’ reminded me of pushing beyond comfortable itineraries to discover hidden villages. That’s what “Measure What Matters” delivers – an audio compass for ambitious journeys, professionally and personally. The multiple narrators become traveling companions, each adding unique flavor to the expedition.

Wishing you transformative listens and the courage to measure what truly matters – on the road and in life,
Marcus Rivera