Powered by Instinct

Why do we take assessments? What type of assessments should people and businesses use? How can you use assessments to effectively grow your business? In this conversation, Amy Bruske and Shannon Waller from Strategic Coach provide the answers to these pressing questions and more. They explore the different types of assessments and how they can provide insights into an individual's cognitive strengths, motivations, and natural ways of taking action. Shannon shares her favorite assessments, including Kolbe, CliftonStrengths, Print and Working Genius, and explains how they complement each other.   They also discuss the effective use of assessments in understanding individual strengths and building successful teams. Shannon also shares her personal insights from taking the Kolbe A™ Index, how Strategic Coach implements it effectively, and how her MO has guided her career.  If you’re thinking about using assessments to improve your business, this is a great guide for how to do that more effectively. If you’re not using assessments to grow your business, it’s a great wake up call to let you know the importance of setting your team up for success! Host: Amy Bruske (3583) Guest-at-a-Glance  💡 Name: Shannon Waller (3295) 💡What she does:  Shannon is Entrepreneurial Team Strategist at Strategic Coach®. She is also the author of several books, including The Team Success Handbook: 12 Strategies for Highly Productive Entrepreneurial Teams. 💡Company: Strategic Coach 💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn  Takeaways Assessments provide a quick and accurate read on people, helping leaders make informed decisions about fit and role alignment. Using multiple assessments allows for a more comprehensive understanding of an individual's strengths, motivations, and preferred ways of taking action. Assessments should not be used to box people in or as a cop-out for not taking action; they should be used as tools for self-awareness and growth. Understanding and leveraging one's unique ability is key to maximizing impact and fulfillment in work. Increase the amount of time spent in your unique ability to achieve life-changing results. Use assessments as a resource for understanding individual strengths and building successful teams. Be cautious of using assessments as the sole basis for hiring or firing decisions. Certifications and consultants can provide valuable expertise in implementing assessments effectively.  Key Quotes from Shannon "Assessments should not be slapping a label on you because here's the deal. You are not that result, whatever assessment you're using at all times.” "If you're doing just one assessment, you're only having one dimension. Human beings are incredibly complex and multidimensional."  “I think the number one value of assessments for me is to be able to get a read on people quickly. Business is moving fast. You don't have time to just hang out eight hours a day for three months with someone getting to know what makes them tick.” “It could take you years to figure something out about someone sometimes that an assessment can help pinpoint for you right away.” Chapters 09:34 The Importance of Using Multiple Assessments 24:08 Increasing Time in Unique Ability Activities 39:33 Focusing on Teamwork and Collaboration for Success 

What’s the number one thing keeping entrepreneurs up at night? People problems.  So, we asked the President and Integrator of the company helping hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurial companies around the world how to turn their worst personnel nightmares into a dream scenario. In this conversation, you’ll hear Kelly Knight of EOS Worldwide and Amy Bruske, President/Integrator of Kolbe Corp dive into the best ways to solve your biggest people issues and ensure maximum productivity from your team. You’ll learn about the importance of Right People Right Seats, how building an intentional is everything, and even the power of love (yes, love) in leading your team. Stop staying up late worrying and start building the culture your people need and deserve. The path begins with this episode of Powered by Instinct!  Host: Amy Bruske (3583)  Guest-at-a-Glance  💡 Name: Kelly Knight (7752) 💡What she does: As President/Integrator of EOS® Worldwide, Kelly helps provide entrepreneurs with simple concepts and practical tools to drive results for their businesses. Kelly is also an official member of the Forbes Business Council. 💡Company: EOS Worldwide 💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn 💡 Author of New Book: People: Dare to Build an Intentional Culture  Takeaways People are central to the success of any business. Using Kolbe’s RightFit™ Hiring Solution, and open-ended questions can help in hiring the right people. Building an intentional culture requires thoughtfulness and dedication. Balancing challenge and skill is crucial for employee development. Create an open and honest environment for employees to express their concerns and feelings. Practice heart-centered leadership and prioritize genuine care and concern for others. Have courageous conversations and make decisions that serve the greater good of the organization and individuals. Read 'People: Dare to Build an Intentional Culture' to learn about creating intentional cultures and access the resources available. Key Quotes from Kelly “When you see really spectacular cultures where people are loving what they do and thriving and companies are growing and you can see the kind of impact they’re making on the world, that didn’t just happen by accident.”  "Getting the most out of people really requires that you're showing up with that genuine caring concern. I always say, please do not become a manager or leader if you don't have genuine love for people." "There are a couple really key things that we do across the board no matter what seat we're hiring for. And one of those is Kolbe. Kolbe has been absolutely instrumental every single hire."  Chapters 02:16  The Importance of People in Business04:06  Common Problems in Companies Running on EOS05:30  The Role of Values in Hiring06:50  Key Tools for Hiring and Building Teams08:19  The Importance of Culture in Business10:14  Balancing Results and Culture11:32  The Role of Love in Leadership12:51  Building an Intentional Culture14:59  The Importance of Strengths and Fit in Roles16:19  Balancing Skill and Challenge in Roles19:33  The Role of Heart-Centered Leadership21:43  The EOS People Book and the Importance of Intentional Culture38:36  The EOS People Book Launch and Resources 

Everyone has natural ways in which they take action. These are measured in four areas — Fact Finder, Follow Thru, Quick Start, and Implementor — called Kolbe Action Modes®.  In this episode, Kolbe experts Stephanie Clergé, Eric Herrera, and Nicole Loucks break down the Fact Finder Action Mode and discuss the different strengths within it, such as specifying, simplifying, and explaining. They provide coaching tips for each strength and address common misconceptions.  They also explore how different Fact Finder strengths can work together in a workplace setting and how you can maximize your Fact Finder strength for more productivity, better communication, and improved collaboration. Join three Kolbe experts as they delve deep (and also provide an overview and essential facts) into the Fact Finder Action Mode and learn how different people naturally gather and share information.  Hosts:  💡 Names: Stephanie Clergé (8363), Eric Herrera (5392), and Nicole Loucks (5824), 💡What they do:  Stephanie is Kolbe’s VP of People and Product Development. Eric is Kolbe’s VP of Sales. Nicole is Kolbe’s VP of Training, as well as VP of Education and Youth Programs. 💡Company: Kolbe Corp 💡 Where to find them: Kolbe.com  Takeaways   Fact Finder measures the instinctive need to probe and the way we gather and share information. Behavior ranges from gathering detailed information and documenting strategies to simplifying and clarifying options.  This Action Mode deals with detail and complexity, providing the perspective of the past. There are a wide variety of strengths across this Action Mode, all of which are equally vital.   Key Quotes  “Just because two people have the same strength or even the exact same number, doesn’t mean they will act the same way. It's going to play out differently because of three parts of the mind.” Eric Herrera “It's good to remember that we have in a general population, just as many Initiating seven, eight, nines and tens in Fact Finder as we do one through threes in Fact Finder. It’s important to get out into the world and see the variety that's out there and help all children find places where they can be successful.” Nicole Loucks “When you get your Kolbe A Index result, you get four numbers. People do tend to sometimes focus on the first one, cause it's the first one, or they focus on one that is their longest line, but all four of your strengths are just as important.” Stephanie Clergé  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kolbe Corp and Action Modes® 01:23 Understanding Kolbe and the Cognitive Part of the Mind 02:58 Exploring the Fact Finder Action Mode 05:35 Coaching Initiating Fact Finders 06:28 Coaching Simplifying Fact Finders 23:23 Working Together with Different Fact Finder Strengths 29:51 Working Together with the Same Fact Finder Strengths 33:08 Common Misconceptions about Fact Finder 37:04 Importance of Looking at All Four Strengths   

Nobody is asked to make more decisions, more difficult decisions, or more important decisions than executives. So anything that gives leaders an upper hand in making those decisions more efficiently and effectively is pure gold.  Enter our guests: Susan Spritz Myers and Whitney Capps. Susan and Whitney are both incredible leadership coaches who know how to help executives achieve amazing results and build remarkable teams.  In this episode, they discuss the impact of knowing your MO (Modus Operandi) and how it can shape your personal and professional life. They share specific case studies of how they used Kolbe to help clients solve major problems through understanding their strengths and working together more effectively. They also discuss the importance of building teams with diverse strengths and using a whole person approach to company culture. If you’re a leader (or you work with them), listening to this episode will lead to great things and high-performing teams! Host: Eric Herrera (5392)Guests-at-a-Glance  💡 Names: Susan Spritz Myers (4392) and Whitney Capps (8562)💡What they do: Whitney has experience coaching a variety of leaders and specializes in emerging leaders, law and government, tech leaders, entrepreneurs, and non-profit leaders and activists. Susan provides executive coaching and team development to CEOs, business owners, VPs, senior-level leaders and teams of mid-market companies. 💡Companies: Susan Spritz Myers, LLC and ClearSpace  💡 Where to find them: https://susanspritzmyers.com/ and https://clearspace.net/ Takeaways Knowing your MO can have a significant impact on your personal and professional life, providing clarity and confidence in decision-making. Kolbe assessments can help individuals and teams understand their strengths and work together more effectively. Building diverse teams and being intentional in leadership development are key to creating high-performing teams. Self-awareness, trust, and collaboration are essential for success in team dynamics. Key Quotes from Our Guests “I have two children and I gave them Index A when they were in high school. One is graduated, one is in graduate school for physical therapy. But the fact that they got to do college or make choices based on knowing that MO I feel like is the best thing I ever did for them.”  - Susan Spritz-Myers “There's opportunity for the short term and long term with Kolbe. Whether you have your results or not, just understanding that those striving instincts are at play for yourself and for others can really be life-changing. And what I think we've been able to leverage is we don't just stop there.”  - Whitney Capps “If we have autonomy and freedom and psychological safety, we are much more likely to be engaged at work. And Kolbe is a huge part of helping an organization, helping an individual, helping a leader, make sure that people feel like they can be themselves.”    - Whitney Capps Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:11 Impact of Knowing Your MO 02:14 Personal Impact of Kolbe 03:23 Impact of Kolbe on Leadership Teams 08:32 Building a Relationship with a Law Firm Client 13:23 Understanding and Leveraging Different MOs 16:36 Supporting Individuals in Teams 22:25 Looking at the Whole Person 26:21 Shifting Roles and Responsibilities 29:40 Opportunities with Kolbe 32:58 Building High Performing Teams 37:40 Conclusion and Contact Information 

How do you ensure you’re equipped to grow as a business leader? As a family member? As a trusted member of your community? And how can you help others do the same? In this episode, Stephanie Clergé, VP of People and Product Development at Kolbe Corp, and Rob Castaneda , Founder and CEO of ServiceRocket, discuss how to infuse Kolbe Wisdom™ into a business in in ways that will empower team members and clients alike. Rob shares his experience with taking the Kolbe A™ Index and how it has helped him understand himself and others better. Learn how ServiceRocket has integrated Kolbe into their hiring process and the use of technology to support their people operations, how they have fostered a diversity of strengths on their teams, and the value empowering “Rocketeers” to learn and grow has added for everyone involved. Host: Stephanie Clergé (8363)Guest-at-a-Glance  💡 Name: Rob Castaneda (3384)💡What they do: As Founder and CEO of ServiceRocket, Rob aims to help “Rocketeers” learn and grow so that they can have an impact on their careers, their families, and their communities. He partners with smart, fast-growing enterprise software companies and helps them build out their ecosystems.  💡Company: ServiceRocket  💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn  Takeaways Understanding and leveraging instinctive strengths can help individuals be more deliberate and make better choices in different situations. Empowering employees with knowledge about their instinctive strengths can lead to better collaboration and communication. Using Kolbe in the hiring process can help identify candidates who are a good fit for the role and the team. Investing in leadership development and proactive initiatives can have a significant impact on the growth and success of a company.  Key Quotes from Rob “The part that I really enjoyed initially was being able to compare my profile with other executives in the company to give some pointers and, you know, take the edge off some frustration that you might be having.” “We have a lot of migrants in our business from all corners of the world, and there's a very big calling for me to be able to empower them. And not just on technical skills. I actually think interpersonal soft skills are probably the most important. It has an impact on their careers, but also — knowing this stuff — I'm a better husband. I'm a better father. I'm a better community leader. And I think that's what actually has a better impact on the world.” “It's kind of like, here's who you are; you're done. With Kolbe, it's just a system of understanding. And then I know what levers I have to pull, right? So that I can adjust my behavior the way that fits the situation.” “I think educating your managers and investing in programs like this...managers actually love this kind of stuff. And starting to challenge them to say, okay... hey, every time you guys hire somebody, did you realize that you hire the same profile all the time? We all have biases, and this is a great framework and tool and infrastructure to use to make yourself better, make your team better, or make your company better.”  Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:12 Service Rocket and its Mission 06:00 Empowering Rocketeers 09:18 Understanding and Leveraging Instinctive Strengths 14:34 Rollout of Kolbe in the Company 19:42 Using Kolbe to Make a Difference 26:23 Advice for Leaders in the People Part of Business 32:02 Final Thoughts and Encouragement  

When Kari Gillenwater first integrated Kolbe into her practice, she had no idea the level of impact it would have for her clients. In this episode, Kari shares how discovering her Kolbe strengths has improved both her life and her business. She explains how she uses Kolbe to help top business owners build teams and empower their employees. She also offers advice for coaches and consultants looking to incorporate Kolbe into their practice at the highest levels.  If you’re a consultant or coach looking to make a bigger impact on your clients’ businesses and lives, then this is a must-listen. If you’re simply interested in how to improve your own life and work through better understanding your strengths, this is also a can’t-miss episode! Host: Eric Herrera (5392)Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Name: Kari Gillenwater (6482)💡What they do: Founder and CEO of a successful financial services and insurance consulting firm, Kari is known for her extensive work with business owners helping them to accelerate their businesses, their brands and their teams. A coach and certified Kolbe™ consultant and Team Specialist, she specializes in helping business owners find right-fit talent, improve personal productivity, team performance and communication. 💡Company: Gillenwater Consulting Group 💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn  Takeaways Understanding and embracing your Kolbe strengths™ can have a significant impact on your life and business. Kolbe can be used to build teams and empower employees in a way that aligns with their unique strengths. Communication and understanding each other's Kolbe strengths is crucial for effective teamwork and collaboration. Kolbe can be powerful for coaches and consultants to help their clients find their voice, align with their strengths, and achieve their goals. Self-reflection is essential for personal growth and development. Understanding personal values helps guide decision-making and prioritization. Identifying strengths and weaknesses allows for targeted self-improvement. Setting goals and taking action is crucial for progress and achievement. Self-awareness enhances relationships and leads to a more fulfilling life.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:30 The Importance of Self-Reflection 03:40 Understanding and Embracing Kolbe 09:16 Using Kolbe in Business Coaching 10:45 Understanding Personal Values 17:28 Working with Individuals and Teams 20:15 Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses 28:12 Client Success Story 30:00 Setting Goals and Taking Action 36:00 Advice for Coaches and Consultants 40:00 The Power of Self-Awareness 41:14 Connecting with Kari Gillenwater 43:04 Closing Remarks  

 “Technology can only do so much. At the end of the day, it’s people who need to use that technology.”  - James Robert Lay  Season 4 of Powered by Instinct kicks off with a look at the importance of human relationships when dealing with complicated industries like finance and technology. In this episode, host Eric Herrera explores the intersection of human behavior and digital finance with James Robert Lay and Audrey Cannata from the Digital Growth Institute.  James Robert emphasizes the importance of people in leveraging technology for financial growth, while Audrey shares her transition from teaching to digital finance and the critical role understanding her instinctive strengths played in that journey. They also delve into the dynamics at play in key working relationships, how to form a dynamic duo with someone who has very different natural strengths, and how Digital Growth uses Kolbe both to cater to their clients’ strengths and to help financial brands level up their digital growth process. Host: Eric Herrera (5392) Guests-at-a-Glance💡 Names: James Robert Lay (3294); Audrey Cannata  (6734)💡What they do: Founder and CEO; Operations Lead  💡Company: Digital Growth Institute  💡Noteworthy: James Robert is focused on inspiring human transformation in marketing and sales teams within financial brands, aiming to elevate their loan and deposit growth​; Audrey collaborates with James Robert at Digital Growth Institute, contributing to research and coaching that facilitate human transformation in the financial sector.  💡 Where to find them: James Robert: LinkedIn; Audrey Cannata: LinkedIn  Embracing Transparency and Honesty in Team Dynamics  Audrey highlights the importance of transparency and honesty in team dynamics. She describes how their team practices radical honesty, allowing them to openly communicate their energy levels and adjust plans accordingly. This approach fosters a more understanding and effective work environment.  "That allows us to be just really radically honest and transparent with each other [...] I can tell that to James Robert and vice versa. He can tell me, ‘Audrey, I am spent. Can we like pause on this meeting, or can we adjust our plans?’"  Adapting to Unforeseen Challenges  James Robert shares a practical example of adapting to unforeseen challenges. He recounts his experience of having a book launch disrupted by the pandemic and how he pivoted his approach. His story illustrates the importance of resilience and flexibility in the face of unexpected circumstances.    "I wrote a book, Eric, that was scheduled to be published in April of 2020 [...] all of the conferences that I was supposed to be going to speak at, to do a launch tour, they all literally got shut down within two to three weeks."    The Personal Impact of Kolbe  Audrey speaks about the personal and transformative impact Kolbe has had on her life. She expresses gratitude for the self-awareness and growth that Kolbe has enabled, both professionally and personally, and shares her enthusiasm for being part of the Kolbe community.  "I truly believe that Kolbe is such a gift, and it is such a gift to know thyself [...] It's been personally very transformative for me. And I just appreciate being able to continuously share this with those in our community and members and even people in my personal life."  

Kolbe Corp annually honors the organizations that display exceptional creativity and leadership when it comes to the use of conation and Kolbe Wisdom™. The award honoring organizational leadership in building conative excellence, called the Kolbe Enterprise Award, is our way of signaling that a strengths-based business is doing incredible work using their knowledge of instinctive strengths and application of that knowledge. In this episode of Powered by Instinct, host Toby Phillips engages with Kolbe Certified™ Consultants representing two of the finalists for the Kolbe Enterprise Award and dives into the integration of the Kolbe System™ within their organizations. The episode features insightful conversations with Shara Wokal and Clare Willson from Riff Creative, along with Hillary Snyder from Riverstone Communities. They all discuss their experiences and strategies in implementing the Kolbe principles for organizational development and team building, the impact Kolbe has had within throughout their organization and for their clients, and where they see their future with Kolbe. If you’re interested in learning what Kolbe can do for your organization and how you can be a part of it, this episode is an invaluable resource with a ton of practical ideas to help take your business to the next level. Host: Toby Phillips (7464)Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Guests: Shara Wokal (8771); Clare Willson (9234); Hillary Snyder (7634)💡Companies: Riff_; Riverstone Communities 💡Noteworthy: Shara Wokal: Chief Financial Officer and Chief HR Officer at Riff Creative; Clare Willson: Executive Coach and Team Strategist at Riff Creative; Hillary Snyder: Chief Human Resources Officer at Riverstone Communities, Kolbe Certified Consultant since 2019. 💡Where to find: Shara: LinkedIn; Clare: LinkedIn; Hillary: LinkedIn  Embracing Team Diversity Through Kolbe Wisdom™: Organizations use the Kolbe System™ to embrace and leverage the diverse strengths within a team. Clare Willson speaks about Riff Creative's journey with Kolbe, emphasizing how Kolbe Wisdom has been integral to building their team and company culture. This approach has enabled them to appreciate varied problem-solving methods and foster a deep respect for each team member's unique contributions. The insight here is the value of understanding and utilizing diverse talents within a team for enhanced collaboration and productivity.  Kolbe's Role in Building Trust and Mutual Respect:  Trivial incidents, like a misplaced bottle of Windex, can be opportunities to build trust and mutual respect in a team. Shara Wokal shares an anecdote about how such an incident led to a better understanding of team dynamics and preferences. This example underlines how seemingly minor events can reinforce team cohesion and understanding when viewed through the lens of Kolbe's principles. It shows the importance of nurturing a team culture that values every member's perspective and approach to problem-solving.  Operational Efficiency Through Understanding Team Dynamics:  Hillary Snyder discusses how Kolbe has been instrumental in improving operational efficiency. By fostering a deeper understanding of team dynamics, Kolbe has enabled them to handle challenges more effectively and maintain a high level of customer service. This insight underscores the tangible bottom-line benefits of implementing Kolbe methodologies, such as increased productivity and efficiency in team operati

Action Starters are a series of shorts from the Powered by Instinct podcast. These are bite-sized clips with easily accessible knowledge for you to enjoy.This clip comes from David Kolbe’s interview with EOS® Worldwide Visionary Mark O’Donnell back in season 1.It’s a great recap on why Kolbe and EOS work so well together, and delivers insight into how you can incorporate both into your company culture. "Kolbe helps you make a big leap in team health in less than an hour’s worth of time.” – Mark O’Donnell

Every year, Kolbe Corp honors the individuals who display exceptional creativity and leadership when it comes to the use of conation and Kolbe Wisdom™. The award honoring individual leadership in building conative excellence, called the Kolbe Professional Award, is always hotly contested due to the wealth of incredible Kolbe Certified™ Consultants doing incredible work. In this episode of Powered by Instinct, host Toby Phillips engages with the three finalists for the Kolbe Professional Award. Sarah Gillet Couto shares her transformative journey from banking to coaching, highlighting how Kolbe's theory reshaped her career and personal understanding. Morgan Hutchings and Shawn Gulyas contribute their expertise, discussing the impact of conative theory in team productivity and leadership. They dive into the nuances of conative stress and its management, offering insights into workplace dynamics and personal growth. Listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for the Kolbe theory's practical applications, as each guest reveals how it empowers individuals and teams to harness their innate strengths while sharing the insights that got them recognized for their excellence. This episode is a treasure trove of wisdom for anyone looking to enhance their work with Kolbe, as well as for those who just want to learn more about the power of understanding their instincts. Host: Toby Phillips (7464)💡 Guests: Sarah Gillet Couto (4565); Morgan Hutchings (9425); Shawn Gulyas (5482)💡 What they do: Multi Lingual Leadership & Communication Expert, Executive Coach | Senior Consultant | Founder & The Thought Catalyst 💡 Companies: Sarah Gillet Couto Consulting | AuDExperts | humanworks8 💡 Noteworthy: Sarah Gillet Couto: Executive coach, former banker, passionate about Kolbe's transformative power. / Morgan Hutchings: Expert in team efficiency, advocate for productivity through conative understanding. / Shawn Gulyas: Leadership consultant, focuses on building conative excellence in organizations. 💡 Where to find them: Learn more from our blog: https://www.kolbe.com/blog/2023-conative-excellence-awards-finalists-announced Innovative Hiring Practices with Morgan Hutchings Timestamp: [00:19:44]  Morgan Hutchings discusses the unique hiring process implemented at AuDExperts. He emphasizes the importance of aligning candidates with the company's core values and communication preferences from the onset. This process includes a voicemail introduction, a virtual interview, and a Kolbe A index assessment to ensure candidates are a good fit for the team and the company culture.  Sarah Gillet Couto on Conative Stress and Team Dynamics Timestamp: [00:08:37] Sarah Gillet Couto shares an insightful case where conative stress was affecting a team undergoing significant changes. She recounts a conversation with a director of operations who was experiencing stress due to a role that did not align with her natural instincts.  "We had this very interesting conversation yesterday... She said, I'm so happy we're having this session with the entire team together because I want you to use my stress to address what is going on within the group." Shawn Gulyas on the Essence of Consulting Timestamp: [00:31:53] Shawn Gulyas provides his perspective on the essence of consulting. He advises new consultants to immerse themselves in the theory they are teaching and to understand the broader implications beyond assessm

In this special episode of Powered by Instinct, we bring you a webinar from EOS Worldwide’s Strong in Six™ Business Challenge. As part of People Week, Kolbe Corp President Amy Bruske was asked to speak on how to master the People Component™ of your business.The result is “The Easy Button for Team Health,” a candid discussion on how to make your most pressing people decisions easier to handle. You'll discover the secret to making the biggest impact on team performance in the quickest amount of time, get a better understanding of the Kolbe System™ and how you can apply it to yourself and your business, and so much more. (There’s a substantial Q&A with Amy and Kolbe VP of Sales Eric Herrera near the end of the session.)Interested in the easy button for team health? Just press play on this episode! Guest-at-a-Glance💡 Name: Amy Bruske (3583)💡 What she does: President💡 Company: Kolbe Corp💡 Noteworthy: This episode was originally a webinar for People Week as part of the EOS Strong in Six™ Business Challenge.💡Where to find Amy: LinkedIn Unlocking Personal Potential through Kolbe AssessmentsAmy Bruske emphasizes the importance of understanding individual strengths using the Kolbe assessment. "What we're focused on today and what Kolbe has found is that there is one factor that is most tied to performance for individuals and for teams. If you could focus on this, it's the secret to unlocking the potential of the people in your business. It's going to make your most important relationships easier. It's going to make your own productivity that much easier and less stressful."Tailoring Job Roles with Kolbe AssessmentsAmy Bruske and Eric Herrera discuss how Kolbe assessments can be applied in the hiring process. They highlight the importance of assessing compatibility between job roles and individual strengths. Amy mentions that job descriptions can be created or modified based on Kolbe results, ensuring a better fit between the role and the candidate. They stress that even for roles that may seem to require specific traits, individual preferences and organizational growth stage should be considered."You don't need a job description, you just need a clear understanding of what success looks like in that role."Kolbe vs. Other Assessments: Complementary InsightsAmy and Eric address the question of how Kolbe assessments compare to other assessments like DiSC. They explain that Kolbe focuses on how individuals naturally take action and problem-solve, while other assessments may reveal preferences. Eric emphasizes the value of using both Kolbe and other assessments to gain a more comprehensive understanding of team dynamics. "In the ideal world, honestly, use both because you get to understand different dimensions of a person."Nurturing Children's Strengths with KolbeAmy discusses the applicability of Kolbe assessments in parenting and education. She suggests that understanding children's natural strengths can help tailor educational approaches to their unique learning styles. Amy also acknowledges that school systems may not always align with a child's strengths and encourages parents to validate their children's unique qualities. She emphasizes the importance of helping children find their strengths early, which can lead to better self-awareness and personal growth."We need to validate with our kids that they have these unique strengths and help them figure that out." 

Action Starters are a series of shorts from the Powered by Instinct podcast. These are bite-sized clips with easily accessible knowledge for you to enjoy.This clip comes to us from Season 1, Episode 3, when Kolbe Corp CEO David Kolbe sat down with Jessica Mogill of Crisp.In this short clip, they discuss why using Kolbe in hiring is a non-negotiable for Crisp, one great mindset to have when using Kolbe to hire, and a specific time where using Kolbe helped a member of the Crisp team become the right person in the right role."Hiring with Kolbe is a bottom line non-negotiable. Why would you not use this?” – Jesicca Mogill

How do you travel for 17 days across 16 states with your family of 4 in a cramped vehicle and live to tell the tale? If you’re Tashyna Wingo, Director of Operations at Kolbe Corp, you survive by understanding and accounting for everyone’s instinctive needs! In this episode, Tashyna recounts her 5,800 mile long “great American family road trip” in a conversation with Nicole Loucks, VP of Youth & Education Programs at Kolbe. They delve into the dynamics of a family road trip, highlighting the unique ways each family member's instinctive strengths played out during the journey and how Tashyna managed to navigate those strengths and keep everyone happy. They also cover some Kolbe resources and ideas that are helpful for families in general. If you’re looking for insights into how to better support the loved ones in your life (and who isn’t), this is the Powered by Instinct episode for you!  Host: Nicole Loucks (5824)Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Name: Tashyna Wingo (8543)💡What they do: Director of Operations 💡Company: Kolbe Corp 💡Noteworthy: Orchestrated a cross-country family road trip, hitting 16 states, and used knowledge of Kolbe Strengths™ to make sure everyone’s needs were met 💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn Understanding Children's Strengths in Education Nicole highlights the Student Aptitude Quiz, a conative assessment tailored for kids. This tool helps children understand their strengths and how to leverage them in areas they're passionate about, such as excelling in school. Tashyna shares her personal experience, noting how an online, self-paced environment allowed her daughter Madeline to thrive, given her unique approach to problem-solving.  Empowering Teachers with Kolbe Insights Tashyna reveals that she encourages her son's teachers to take the Kolbe Index every year. This initiative helps educators understand their unique strengths and how they approach problem-solving. By sharing these insights, Tashyna aims to foster a more supportive and understanding educational environment for her son and his peers.  Challenges and Disagreements on the Road Nicole probes Tashyna about the challenges and disagreements they faced during the road trip. Tashyna shares some light-hearted moments, like siblings' squabbles in the backseat. She also mentions a recurring point of contention with her husband, Tom, about how they measured travel progress: hours vs. miles. "I'd say probably the only disagreements that Tom and I had, and it took me a little too long to get with the program, but he'd ask me how, like going from location to location, you know, what are we looking at? And so I would say it's two and a half hours. And he's like, ‘I don't care about the hours. I wanna know how many miles…"  - TashynaEmpowering Students with Kolbe Insights The conversation shifts to the importance of understanding students' natural strengths. Nicole recalls how Henry actively participated during a Strengths Week project at school. Tashyna emphasizes the value of the Student Aptitude Quiz and how it has benefited her children. "And I have to say, when we went into the school and did that Strengths Week project, Henry was our helper with physical materials. He was passing things out; he was carrying things; he was doing all sorts of stuff." 

"My passion is opening lines of communication in a broken and hurting world, and that's where I see Kolbe as being so powerful." – Mari Martin In this episode of Powered by Instinct, Amy Bruske is joined by Mari Martin, “The Mother of Kolbe in West Michigan.”  Mari brings the type of insight you can only get from a dedicated Kolbe Certified™ Consultant for over 30 years. Mari shares how her MO, and her knowledge, has been instrumental in both her career and her personal life, through the good times and the bad. She covers how she used Kolbe as a foundation to build a successful practice, and how she then used that expertise to help her navigate her biggest challenge yet — her husband’s stage 4 throat cancer diagnosis in 2013. (To learn more about their incredible journey together, check out Come Home Alive: The Power of Knowing how to Work Together to Make it Through the Crisis of Cancer.)  Whether you’re a Kolbe Consultant who wants to change the world (Mari shares her 3 big pieces of advice for you) or just someone interested in an assessment that Mari describes as “practical, predictive, and prescriptive,” this episode is a must-listen. Host: Amy Bruske (3583)Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Name: Mari Martin (4294)💡 What she does: President 💡Company: Performance Strategies Group, Inc. 💡Noteworthy: Mari started in communications consulting, discovered Kolbe in the Wall Street Journal, and built her own company around it. 💡Where to find Mari: LinkedIn The Power of Kolbe in Personal Crises Mari Martin discusses the transformative power of the Kolbe approach during personal health crises. She emphasizes the importance of understanding one's mental energy and how it's expended, especially during challenging times. By being aware of one's natural instincts and how they play out in various environments, individuals can make informed decisions and navigate adversity with greater resilience. Mari's personal journey and her conscious decision to avoid being "Dr. Google" showcases the significance of using Kolbe to respond effectively to life's challenges. "I'm not saying that Kolbe is the answer. But what I am saying is that we have to interface with our environment, and understand how our natural instincts play out in that environment.” – Mari Martin Understanding Job Dynamics and Crafting Roles Mari highlights the importance of understanding the dynamics within job roles. By recognizing the demands of a job and comparing them to one's natural instincts, individuals can identify gaps and potential stress points. Mari's personal experience of identifying a gap in her Fact Finder trait and subsequently crafting her role to minimize stress serves as a testament to the adaptability and flexibility offered by the Kolbe approach. The emphasis is on building around strengths and crafting roles to align with one's natural instincts.  Kolbe's Role in Practical Application of Strengths Mari contrasts the Kolbe approach with other tools like StrengthsFinder. While StrengthsFinder identifies strength themes, Kolbe provides insights into how to practically apply these strengths. For instance, Mari's theme of "responsibility" from StrengthsFinder is given context with her Kolbe score, helping her understand how to manage her responsibilities effectively. The conversation underscores the value of Kolbe in providing actionable insights and guiding individuals on how to harness their strengths in real-world scenarios.   

Getting a Kolbe A™ Index for everybody on the team is a great first step towards building a strengths-based culture. But, building a sustainable culture where people feel valued and have the freedom to be themselves doesn't happen overnight.   In this episode of Powered by Instinct, host Stephanie Clergé and guest Shara Wokal, CFO/CHRO of Riff Agency, dive into the world of Kolbe and discuss how Riff Agency integrates Kolbe into their hiring, onboarding, and team-building processes. Shara emphasizes the importance of consistency and intentionality in infusing Kolbe into the company culture and gives tips and insights into how others can do the same. Listen in to gain insights into how understanding natural instincts positively impact work and communication, and how to leverage Kolbe to create a more harmonious and productive work environment.  Host: Stephanie Clergé (8363)Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Name: Shara Wokal (8771)💡What they do: CFO/CHRO 💡Company: Riff Agency 💡Noteworthy: Integrates Kolbe into hiring and team-building, emphasizes consistency in company culture. 💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn   Key Insights: Integrating Kolbe into Hiring and Onboarding Shara Wokal discusses how Riff Agency uses Kolbe, a tool that identifies natural instincts, in their hiring, onboarding, and team-building processes. They utilize various Kolbe features like RightFit™ to understand new hires and their teammates. Weekly team meetings often include discussions about Kolbe, sharing stories and insights. Shara emphasizes the importance of consistency in integrating Kolbe into the company culture, allowing employees to be more free to be themselves and communicate openly. This approach fosters a positive impact on work and collaboration.  Designing Work Environments to Support Individual Instincts The episode explores how Riff Agency designs physical work environments to align with individual instincts. Shara shares examples like having access to windows for those who initiate in Implementor or using tangible tools like mind menus and hierarchy pyramids. The physical environment is tailored to support employees' natural ways of working, enhancing productivity and satisfaction. This insight offers a unique perspective on how understanding natural instincts can be applied to the physical workspace.  Promoting Gratitude and Recognition in the Workplace Shara reveals that Riff Agency starts every meeting by talking about gratitude wins, creating space for people to share personal and professional excitements. They also encourage gratitude and cheers among team members through various mediums, both in software and tangible forms. This practice fosters a positive workplace culture, emphasizing recognition and appreciation. It's a noteworthy insight into how simple practices can build a more supportive and engaged team environment.    

Action Starters are a series of shorts from the Powered by Instinct podcast. These are bite-sized clips with easily accessible knowledge for you to enjoy.This clip is an important one for understanding the basics of how Kolbe can work for you.It’s the 4 components of the Kolbe System in under 4 minutes.Not only does Kolbe Corp President Amy Bruske break down how you can use Kolbe to identify, align, optimize and expand, but you’ll also learn of some innovative approaches to using Kolbe from Stephanie Clergé, Kolbe’s VP of People and Product Development."What makes Kolbe different than a lot of assessments out there is that it’s a complete system."  - Amy Bruske

Action Starters are a series of shorts from the Powered by Instinct podcast. These are bite-sized clips with easily accessible knowledge for you to enjoy.This clip comes from the first season of Powered by Instinct, when Stephanie Clergé and Eric Herrera discussed an important step in understanding your instinctive strengths:Comparing your Kolbe result with others.Listen to Stephanie and Eric discuss the power being understanding the strengths of others and learn how you can use that information to improve your productivity and your ability to collaborate."We need those differing talents. Understand all of those around you in your world, and your world will become that much better."  - Eric Herrera

Action Starters are a series of shorts from the Powered by Instinct podcast. These are bite-sized clips with easily accessible knowledge for you to enjoy.This clip comes from the very first episode of Powered by Instinct, where we asked acclaimed theorist and founder of Kolbe Corp, Kathy Kolbe, a very important question:What separates successful teams from teams that struggle?Kathy shared a story about how she was able to identify which of three teams within a corporation was the most effective, simply by looking at their Kolbe results."You need a diversity of problem-solving in order to have a successful team.  I think what's brilliant is to be able to measure the strengths of individuals, but then plot them in a team and to figure out who should be collaborating together. And then, as a leader, to anticipate where your team's gonna struggle."  - Kathy Kolbe

When you’re looking to find the right fit for your team, especially at the executive level, you need to get it right the first time. In this episode of Powered by Instinct, host Eric Herrera from Kolbe is joined by someone who knows how to get it right: Samir Wagle, Founder and Managing Partner of 11:11 Partners.  Samir shares his experiences and strategies for building high-performing teams, aligning personal passions with professional performance, and the integral role Kolbe plays in their recruitment and team development processes. Samir talks about Kolbe’s role in identifying the ideal profiles for various roles and allowing clients to build stronger, more cohesive teams. He emphasizes the importance of “aligning your insides and your outsides” in finding a fulfilling career. In addition, Eric and Samir discuss hiring and recruiting trends, common mistakes to avoid, and why the most important thing you can do in an executive interview is make someone feel seen.  Host: Eric Herrera (5392)Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Name: Samir Wagle (6582)💡What they do: Founder 💡Company: 11:11 Partners 💡Noteworthy: Samir specializes in building high-performing teams. 💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn The Role of Trust in Team Building  Samir emphasizes the importance of trust in building strong and successful teams. He explains how they use Kolbe assessments to better understand team members and foster trust within the team. By having a deep understanding of everyone's strengths and weaknesses, team members can trust and rely on each other more effectively. This leads to improved communication, collaboration, and overall team performance. "I think the biggest thing is trust. When you have the understanding of the strengths of people, you can really start to rely on those people, and you can really understand how they communicate," said Samir. Integrating Kolbe Assessments Into Leadership Development  Samir shares how 11:11 Partners integrate Kolbe assessments into their leadership development programs. They use the assessments to help leaders better understand their strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of their team members. This deeper understanding allows leaders to make more informed decisions, delegate tasks more effectively, and ultimately build stronger teams. Utilizing Kolbe Assessments for Personal Growth  Samir discusses the value of using Kolbe assessments for personal growth and self-awareness. The assessments can help individuals recognize their strengths and areas for improvement, providing valuable insights for personal and professional development. By understanding their unique profile, individuals can make more informed decisions about their careers and life choices. "It's [Kolbe assessments] also been really helpful for me personally — as I continue to grow as a leader — to understand my strengths and work on my development areas." The Significance of Accurate Role Fit  Samir discusses the importance of accurate role fit for employee satisfaction and success. By identifying the ideal Kolbe profile for a specific role, organizations can ensure that individuals are well-suited to their positions, leading to increased job satisfaction and productivity. This approach can help companies scale their businesses more effectively and efficiently. "We started to get really clear on, for the different roles of our organization, what the Kolbe profile of that position is. Like the people that will really thrive there and enjoy the work."   

“The day I got my Kolbe profile back was one of the most liberating days of my life.” – Dan Sullivan, Co-Founder of Strategic Coach In this special episode of Powered by Instinct, host David Kolbe sits down with renowned entrepreneur and coach, Dan Sullivan, to discuss the impact of Kolbe on personal and professional growth.  Dan shares his experiences with the transformative power of the Kolbe A™Index, highlighting its ability to identify an individual's innate strengths and guide them towards the right opportunities. He emphasizes the many benefits Kolbe has offered the entrepreneurs he helps, how it fosters a more collaborative and effective environment by aligning individuals with their areas of strength, and why Kolbe is the “anchor profile” for Strategic Coach. Dan reflects on his coaching career and the importance of understanding clients' Kolbe profiles to tailor workshops and facilitate better communication. He shares how essential Kolbe is for hiring effectively, and how Kolbe has not only enhanced his coaching sessions but also transformed the lives of countless individuals by unlocking their true potential.  Host: David Kolbe (8-2-7-3)Guest-at-a-Glance 💡 Name: Dan Sullivan (2-2-10-4)💡What they do: Entrepreneur and Coach 💡Company: Strategic Coach 💡Noteworthy: Pioneered innovative coaching methodologies for entrepreneurs and business leaders. 💡 Where to find them: LinkedIn The Significance of Kolbe A Index in Identifying Strengths and Best Fit. Dan discusses how the Kolbe A Index has transformed the way companies identify individual strengths and best-fit positions for their employees. He credits Kathy Kolbe for developing this unique profiling system that provides valuable insights into employees' natural working styles, allowing for better alignment with roles that capitalize on their strengths and ultimately lead to greater success and satisfaction.  Adapting Coaching Techniques to Different Kolbe Profiles. Dan shares his experience in coaching and how the Kolbe Wisdom has informed his approach to working with different clients. He explains that by understanding the Kolbe scores of his clients, he can tailor his coaching techniques to better suit their individual needs, resulting in more effective communication and understanding. This personalized approach enables Dan to better engage and support his clients in their personal and professional development.  Additional Quotes  [01:06:00] Dan Sullivan: "Kathy Kolbe went entrepreneur because it didn't answer a question and she created the thing that answers the question. Where's the strength of this person and where's the best place to fit in?" [01:07:00] Dan Sullivan: "Podcasting falls directly in the center of where my Kolbe strengths are. I love it. Yes. As long as I don't have to prepare." [01:09:00] Dan Sullivan: "The first thing I do when I walk in the room, I want to see their Kolbe, I want to see the Kolbe profiles. And there's a critical mass."