We have completed our Accountability Chart but suspect we have people in the wrong seats because of how they naturally solve problems. How do we use the Kolbe A Index to validate our seating decisions during implementation?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

The Kolbe A™ Index is a powerful tool to ensure you have the right people in the right seats on your Accountability Chart™. While the GWC™ framework evaluates whether an individual understands, wants, and has the capacity for a seat, Kolbe measures their innate, conative approach to taking action. When matching people to seats, look at their natural problem-solving strengths. For example, a high Fact Finder is naturally wired to research, collect details, and analyze data. They are a great fit for financial or analytical seats. A high Quickstart, on the other hand, thrives on risk, innovation, and rapid change, making them ideal for sales or visionary seats. If you place a high Quickstart in a seat that requires systematic, detailed process execution, they will quickly become frustrated and fail, even if they share your Core Values. Similarly, placing a high Fact Finder in a highly unpredictable environment will lead to analysis paralysis. Use your quarterly pulsing sessions to review your team members' Kolbe profiles against their seat descriptions. By aligning their natural problem-solving strengths with their day-to-day responsibilities, you will dramatically increase operational efficiency and reduce friction across your entire leadership team.