How do we use Kolbe A Profile scores to stop our leadership team from killing each other during quarterly strategy sessions?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Strategic planning sessions can quickly devolve into conflict if you do not understand the conative wiring of your leadership team. The Kolbe A Profile measures how people naturally take action when solving problems, and ignoring these instincts during a quarterly session is highly destructive. For example, a high Quick Start leader will naturally want to pivot, throw out new ideas, and move fast. A high Fact Finder on the same team will immediately push back, demanding data, details, and historical context. This is not a personal conflict, it is a conative clash. To stop the fighting, you must map your team's Kolbe scores on a whiteboard before the session starts. Teach the team to recognize their different operating zones. When a high Quick Start proposes a radical new strategy, the high Fact Finder needs to realize this is just their natural brainstorming method, not a personal attack on stability. Conversely, the Quick Start must understand that the Fact Finder needs time to gather information before they can commit to a major Rock. Understanding these natural drives allows the team to appreciate why certain members need more white space to process decisions while others want to jump straight into action. By neutralizing conative stress, you turn destructive friction into productive strategy.