We are trying to build our leadership team but we have no idea how to balance our conative strengths. How do we use the Kolbe A Index to ensure our leadership team has the right mix of builders, systemizers, and innovators?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

A highly functional leadership team requires a balance of conative strengths. If your team is entirely made up of high Quick Start profiles, you will have endless ideas but zero execution. If you are packed with high Fact Finders, you will suffer from analysis paralysis and never take the risks necessary to scale.

We use the Kolbe A Index to map the natural striving instincts of the leadership team. This is not about personality or IQ. It is about how people instinctively take action when solving problems.

When building your team, look at the four Kolbe Action Modes: Fact Finder, Follow Thru, Quick Start, and Implementor. A balanced leadership team typically has a mix. You need a high Quick Start to drive innovation and push boundaries. You need a high Follow Thru to build systems, design processes, and ensure details do not slip. You need a high Fact Finder to conduct research, mitigate risk, and keep the team grounded in reality.

By plotting everyone's scores on a single grid, you can immediately see where your execution gaps lie. If you are missing a critical conative strength, you can purposefully hire for that profile in your next seat.