Our leadership team is dominated by high Quick Start profiles who love launching new initiatives but lack Follow Thru. How do we use our conative Kolbe scores to structure our quarterly Rocks so they actually get finished?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

When a leadership team is packed with high Quick Start profiles, you will see an abundance of energy, creativity, and new ideas. However, without sufficient Follow Thru, this energy often results in a trail of half-finished projects and abandoned quarterly Rocks.

To solve this, you must use the Kolbe A Index to design your execution strategy. Do not fight your team's natural conative instincts; instead, structure your quarterly planning to accommodate them. If a high Quick Start leader owns a critical Rock, they will need a partner with a high Follow Thru score to help design the implementation steps.

When setting Rocks, require that every major initiative has a designated implementer who possesses the conative drive to build systems and follow processes. This does not mean the Quick Start leader is off the hook, but rather that they are paired with someone who can translate their vision into structured milestones.

Additionally, use the Kolbe profiles to set realistic expectations. A high Quick Start leader should rarely own more than two Rocks, as they are highly susceptible to distraction and scope creep. Their Rocks should also be kept short and highly focused.

During your weekly Level 10 Meeting, pay close attention to the status of Rocks owned by your creative leaders. If these Rocks begin to drift, do not wait until week twelve to intervene. Use the IDS process early to realign resources and assign tactical follow-up tasks to team members who naturally excel at execution and details.