Powered by Instinct

Imagine a world where productivity is easy and performance is effortless.  David Kolbe and Amy Bruske break down the 'Do More, More Naturally' concept from their best-selling book and introduce the Three C's of Sustainable Performance —Clarity, Commitment, and Collaboration—as essential components for effortless success. They explore how to attain sustainable high performance by aligning work and personal goals with one's natural strengths, discuss the common pitfalls of traditional productivity advice, and highlight the significance of balancing productivity with natural instincts. David and Amy also offer insights into leveraging conative strengths for better results in both personal and professional settings and delve into practical implications, such as parenting and team collaboration, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and appreciating diverse strengths for long-term success.  Hosts:  

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 fourth and final episode of our Kolbe Action Mode series, Kolbe experts Stephanie Clergé, Eric Herrera, and Nicole Loucks break down the Implementor Action Mode and discuss the different strengths within it: envisioning, restoring, and demonstrating. Our Kolbe experts will take you through what it means to have these different Implementor strengths as they address common misconceptions, break down how to work with people across the Implementor spectrum, and explain how you can maximize your Implementor strength for more productivity, better communication, and improved collaboration.  It's time to implement your instincts as you learn more about that yellow line in your Kolbe result! Hosts:   

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 third episode of our Kolbe Action Mode series, Kolbe experts Stephanie Clergé, Eric Herrera, and Nicole Loucks break down the Quick Start Action Mode and discuss the different strengths within it, such as stabilizing, modifying and innovating. Whether you naturally initiate change and improvise solutions (like Eric), participate in experiments and adjust deadlines (like Stephanie), or minimize risk factors and protect the status quo (like Nicole), you'll get to hear amazing coaching tips from an expert who shares your strengths in the Quick Start Action Mode! The hosts address common misconceptions, break down how to work with people across the Quick Start spectrum, and explain how you can maximize your Quick Start strength for more productivity, better communication, and improved collaboration.  Get your week off to a Quick Start by learning about your strengths in the oh-so-important green Action Mode!  Hosts:   

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 second episode or our Kolbe Action Mode® series, Kolbe experts Stephanie Clergé, Eric Herrera, and Nicole Loucks break down the Follow Thru Action Mode and discuss the different strengths within it, such as adapting, maintaining, and systematizing.  Whether you naturally create systems for everything (like Nicole), maintain flexibility and create shortcuts (like Stephanie and Eric) or find yourself in between keeping those systems running, you'll benefit greatly from the coaching tips provided here. The hosts address common misconceptions, break down how to work with people across the Follow Thru spectrum, and explain how you can maximize your Follow Thru strength for more productivity, better communication, and improved collaboration.  Join three Kolbe experts as they follow through on their promise to share how people naturally organize and design.   Hosts:   

If you're a parent, a grandparent, a caregiver, or even a kid yourself, we've got a very important message for you! In this very special episode of Powered by Instinct, we'll share a game-changing webinar with guidance on how to empower your kids with the freedom to be themselves. You'll join Nicole Loucks, VP of Education and Youth Programs at Kolbe Corp, as she breaks down how to:  1. Help kids be more successful by leaning into their natural strengths  2. Empower youth to be creative, even when their creative approaches are different from yours…or their friends  3. Guide students through the pitfalls of school and into rewarding careers Our goal is to equip students with the knowledge they need to become productive problem solvers. This is an important message, so please pass this podcast episode on to anyone in your life who has at least one kid they care about…it can make a huge difference. 

Gino Wickman has done as much for entrepreneurs as anyone walking this planet. A celebrated leader, founder, and author, he is the mastermind behind incredible systems that countless businesses around the globe use every day. Join Gino and Kolbe Corp President Amy Bruske as they discuss how critical understanding your MO can be to long-term success, and how Gino's MO and his unique ability to see patterns and trends shaped his path to creating EOS® and including Kolbe in the EOS Toolbox™. In addition, they discuss Gino's journey as a driven person, the figurative mountain he felt compelled to climb as a driven entrepreneur, and the inner peace and wisdom he found at the top of that mountain. In this episode, Gino connects how better understanding himself and his strengths led to discoveries he could use to help other driven people find their own peace, and why he was inspired to write Shine, his new book that breaks down the 10 Disciplines entrepreneurs can use to maximize their energy, impact, and inner peace. Host: Amy Bruske (3583) Guest-at-a-Glance  

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  

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  

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:  

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  

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. Guest-at-a-Glance  

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!  Guest-at-a-Glance 

 “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.  Guests-at-a-Glance

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. Guest-at-a-Glance 

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. 

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

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!  Guest-at-a-Glance 

"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. Guest-at-a-Glance 

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.  Guest-at-a-Glance 

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.  Guest-at-a-Glance 

“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.  Guest-at-a-Glance 

If you're interested in becoming a coach, taking your consulting to the next level, becoming the Kolbe expert in your organization, or just learning everything you can about how individuals and teams naturally operate to the best of their abilities, this is a can't miss conversation. Why should you be a Kolbe Certified™ Consultant?: The answers are too numerous and varied to share in one podcast episode, but Amy Bruske and Stephanie Clergé do their best to hit as many highlights as possible in this informative and engaging episode. Learn about Stephanie's path from an ultimately unfulfilling career to an incredible coach, how she discovered Kolbe as the missing solution to client needs, and all the lessons she's learned on the way to becoming a Kolbe Expert and indispensable part of the Kolbe Corp team. Amy and Stephanie delve into the power of the Kolbe System™ and what it offers Kolbe Consultants. They also discuss innovative ways they've seen Kolbe Consultants impact the business world and individual clients alike, and how Kolbe's continuous education and on-demand learning resources provide consultants with the tools to support their clients on a deeper level.  Guest-at-a-Glance 

Are you an assessment aficionado? Think you've tried them all? This week's episode of Powered by Instinct is a helpful way to learn how Kolbe is different. Kolbe helps you understand the ways you naturally take action and interact with others. But unlike many assessments, Kolbe is particularly suitable for work environments and can be used at various stages, from hiring to alignment within an organization. That said, understanding your instinctive strengths is a game changer in every relationship, whether professional or personal. In this episode of Powered by Instinct, Elizabeth Cook, a Kolbe Certified™ Consultant and Founder of Elizabeth Cook Consulting, LLC, joins our host Eric Herrera to discuss her first encounter with Kolbe, what changed once she took it, how she decided to become a consultant, the process behind it, and how she uses Kolbe with her clients. Also, you'll definitely want to stay tuned for her theory on parents having a “favorite” child. Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Elizabeth Cook What she does: Elizabeth is a career and leadership coach. Company: Elizabeth Cook Consulting, LLC Noteworthy: Elizabeth is also a Kolbe Certified™ Consultant. Where to find Elizabeth: LinkedIn  

When you're allowed to be yourself and play to your natural strengths, the difference you feel is astounding. This is true even for those who have found success otherwise. Take Hutton Henry for example.  He didn't feel comfortable in school. He didn't fit in the corporate world. That didn't mean he didn't meet benchmarks or find himself achieving, it just meant he couldn't be everything he wanted to be.  Now, Hutton is the CEO and Founder of his own business, Beyond M&A, and the author of two books: People First and Diversity of Action. He is finally thriving, and he's using the knowledge he gained from his personal journey to empower others. Hutton uses a practice called technology due diligence. The goal is to place the people who build tech solutions first and show investors the value behind such teams. Kolbe is part of the process, and in this episode, Hutton shares how taking the Kolbe assessment changed his and his clients' business perspective and how he helps others use their strengths to reach their full potential.  Guest-at-a-Glance  Name: Hutton Henry What he does: Hutton is the CEO and founder of Beyond M&A.  Company: Beyond M&A Noteworthy: Hutton works with VC, private equity, and corporate investors, assessing tech teams on their behalf. The practice is called technology due diligence.  Where to find Hutton: LinkedIn 

When Angelique Rewers read her Kolbe results, she cried.  Finally, she had been seen for what she can do, not what needed to be fixed. Now, as the CEO of BoldHaus, with Executive VP Phil Dyer by her side, Angelique uses Kolbe to ensure ALL of her clients are seen as who they truly are. The results, like their business, have been bold. Join Angelique, Phil, and Kolbe Corp CEO David Kolbe as we kick off season 3 with a bang. In this episode, the BoldHaus duo share the story behind BoldHaus and the role of Kolbe in the company's rebranding. They also recapitulate their first encounter with Kolbe and how it helped them build a team and grow as leaders, and how Kolbe has helped them provide high-quality service to their clients, while maybe even saving a few marriages! Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Angelique Rewers and Phil Dyer What they do: Angelique is the CEO, and Phil is the executive VP at BoldHaus.  Company: BoldHaus Noteworthy: Angelique and Phil use Kolbe internally and externally, helping clients build solid teams and grow as leaders.  Where to find them: Angelique: LinkedIn; Phil: LinkedIn  Podcast Insights 

The Kolbe A™ Index is the only assessment that measure how you instinctively take action. When find out your MO and first see your 4 numbers and colorful bar chart, it's normal to focus almost entirely on that result. But there's so much more to it.  In this episode of Powered by Instinct, Kolbe Corp's Stephanie Clergé and Eric Herrera go through their Kolbe A Index results and customized 18-page report, discussing tips, insights, and resources available throughout. It's a great resource to learn more about your instinctive strengths and how to utilize them. So join us as we break down the many benefits available in your Kolbe A Index report. Guests-at-a-Glance 

Gallup's employee engagement survey is out, and the numbers are down again. Less than 1/3 of American workers are actively engaged, and 18% are actively DISENGAGED. More and more individuals are either quietly quitting their job or worse. Fortunately, there's a missing link to engagement that can help both companies and employees find a better path forward. In this episode of Powered by Instinct, David Kolbe and Amy Bruske, react to the Gallup poll and offer their insights. They discuss: The downward trend of employee disengagement Why leaders are in pain, too The biggest reasons for concerns The role remote work plays in engagement How Kolbe helps companies and employees connect The two questions every manager needs to ask their team Minor changes you can implement to make a massive differenceKey Insights  ⚡Leaders are disengaged, too. So, taking care of them is vital. Amy says, "I think we need to talk about the employees, but I also want to touch base a little bit on leaders because they are burnt out. And the Gallup survey that came out some time in late 2022 — I think it was right around October or November — was showing that only one in three leaders are engaged." ⚡Companies need to embrace employee strengths. No amount of perks and parties will replace the need for workers to use their instinctive strengths in their daily role. Amy says, "People who absolutely love their jobs — and yes, I'm going to use the word love — love their job like it's a fit. In order for it to be a fit, it has to fit you in all three parts of the mind, which we can talk about in a minute. But those are the people that tend to be more engaged, and they want to stick around." ⚡Kolbe helps you ask the right questions. One suggested solution to disengagement is to make sure managers talk more 1-on-1 with employees. But it's vital you know what to ask. "One of the things that's just so simple and straightforward is asking someone, ‘How have you gotten to use your strengths this week?' or ‘What is the one task that you either keep putting off or is causing you the most stress?' There are some really basic questions. If you haven't had those conversations with people this week, try those out — because it makes a big difference." ⚡Remote workers have a hard time connecting with the company. Remote work has become more common after the pandemic, but is it good for employee engagement? Amy says, "Worker concerns were the clarity of expectations, connection to the mission or the purpose of the company, and then opportunities to learn and grow. I do worry about younger people, younger in their careers. So early in your career, in any environment, how do you have opportunities to learn and grow where you're not getting to just observe some of it through osmosis, that you get some of the learning about how people get things done and solve problems? You're missing that too."  ⚡Small things can make a big difference. Motivating your disengaged employees doesn't have to be a huge project. Instead, start small and focus on the little things. Amy says, "For any leaders that are listening right now, it's key to let you know that it's not about massive changes. So we're not talking about having to change everything about someone's role. Just doing  one task that causes stress just a little bit differently or reducing the amount of time you work against your grain even by 10 or 20 percent, that makes a big difference in satisfaction." 

Working with family is hard. The people you care about most also have the most power to get on your nerves, which means working together can be a LOT!It doesn't have to be. With the right knowledge and understanding of each other's instinctive strengths, you can work together with the most important people in your life without destroying your relationship — this episode's guests (and the host) are proof!In this episode of the Powered by Instinct podcast, our host David Kolbe welcomes Jerry Lujan and Kelley Lujan, a father-daughter duo now working together. Jerry is the CEO of Elevation 180, and Kelley is the Strategic Optimizer there, providing much-needed strengths to work in conjunction with her father. Jerry and Kelley talk with Kolbe CEO David Kolbe, himself no stranger to family businesses, about the benefits of knowing everyone's MO, why open communication is critical, and how to help a strengths-based family business shine. It's possible to strengthen your family business and your family bond at the same time. Take a listen to learn how.Guests-at-a-Glance

Strengths-based coaching can have an incredible impact for companies of all sizes and across various industries. When businesses commit to the people part of their organization, amazing results follow.  Great strengths-based coaching requires expertise on instinctive strengths as well as expertise in coaching. It's essential to know how to create buy-in from the top down, and to create a safe environment that allows individuals that show resistance to ask questions and eliminate doubts so the entire team can commit to increasing productivity, lowering stress, and improving collaboration. In this episode of Powered by Instinct, our guest is Jessica Harrington, Executive Business Coach at Carson Coaching. Jessica is a Kolbe Certified™ Consultant and recipient of the 2022 Kolbe Professional Award. If you're interested in developing as a strengths-based leader, you don't want to miss this one!  Guest-at-a-Glance 

In this episode of Powered by Instinct, Amy Bruske and David Kolbe, the President and CEO of Kolbe Corp, respectively, discuss what it means to be an effective leader in modern times. They do so by asking questions every manager should ask themselves: Do you spend the majority of my time working in ways that energize you versus on tasks that drain you?   Do you impose my way of doing things on others?    Do you know how each person on your team solves problems?  Do you know how to strategically group people together to solve problems and get desired results?  Do you effectively help each member of your team minimize stress in their position?   As your company grows, are you confident in your ability to create or redesign roles for the future?   Follow along to see how your answers these essential challenges compare with Amy and David's experiences, and to learn how you can grow as a strengths-based leader! Hosts-at-a-Glance Names: David Kolbe and Amy Bruske What they do: David is the CEO of Kolbe Corp and Amy is the President of Kolbe Corp. Company: Kolbe Corp Noteworthy: Amy is one of Kolbe Corp's three senior master consultants. She is a sought-after speaker for Fortune 500 companies, associations, and entrepreneurial organizations in various industries. David works to empower individuals, businesses, and non-profits to use conative strengths in the ways they care about most. His combined experiences as a Legislative Director, lawyer, and CEO, while being a husband and father of four, bring an unusually interesting perspective to his work and presentations. Where to find Amy: LinkedIn Where to find David: LinkedIn Podcast Insights 

No matter who you are and where you work, knowing your instinctive strengths will help you thrive. But one field that's seen particular advancements using Kolbe is the financial industry.  To explore why that is, our host Eric Herrera welcomes Libby Paul, Talent Development Manager at Keating & Associates. They talk about the benefits of Kolbe in the financial space, how it matches employees with work that fulfills them, and the impact of Kolbe on team development. Guest-at-a-Glance 

When you understand and embrace the power of instinctive strengths, it can make a huge difference at work. But the learning doesn't stop there.  A greater understanding of instinctive strengths can also provide incredible support in your personal journey, and in the growth of those you care about most — including your children.  In this episode of Powered by Instinct, our host and CEO David Kolbe welcomes Kolbe Certified™ Consultant Clare Willson. Clare shares the breakthrough she felt when she first took the Kolbe A™ Index and why she decided to become a Kolbe Certified™ Consultant and Youth Specialist. She details how Kolbe helped her empower her son and how she helps other parents do the same.  If only Clare had discovered Kolbe when she was young. It would have helped her process and appreciate her strengths when it comes to organizing. If you need to create shortcuts and need flexibility when it comes to working with systems and procedures, make sure to tune in for some great conversation on the topic! Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Clare Willson What she does: Clare is a team strategist at Riff Creative Studio.  Company: Riff Creative Studio  Noteworthy: Clare is also a Kolbe Certified Consultant, a Kolbe Certified™ Youth Specialist, and a former teacher.  Where to find Clare: LinkedInPodcast Insights 

Finding the right balance between the leaders of your organization is absolutely critical to success, and instinctive strengths play a huge role in that balance. So, how do you ensure that your CEO and COO, can collaborate in a way that propels you towards completing your company's mission? “I realized why people thought I was crazy!” — In this episode of Powered by Instinct, Cameron Herold, the founder of COO Alliance, joins our host Amy Bruske to discuss Kolbe and how taking the assessment changed his perspective on how he approaches diversity of strengths in the work environment. Cameron also discusses company culture, leadership dynamics, and the breakthrough moment when he discovered just how much not understanding the instinctive strengths of others impacted his ability to collaborate with them. Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Cameron Herold What he does: Cameron is the founder of COO Alliance. Company: COO Alliance Noteworthy: Cameron is also the host of the Second in Command Podcast and the author of several books. He is known by the nickname the “CEO Whisperer”. Where to find Cameron: LinkedIn Podcast Insights 

On the latest installment of the Powered by Instinct Podcast, Kolbe Corp CEO David Kolbe talked with Dana Anspach about what it means to trust your gut in the high-stakes world of finance. Dana is a Kolbe certified™ Consultant and the founder and CEO of Sensible Money, a financial planning firm that regularly uses Kolbe theory to cater to their clients' instinctive needs. Understanding those needs allows Dana and her team to present and share information in the best possible way for each client, while also better understanding and anticipating client questions and reactions. David and Dana also discuss the impact Kolbe has had on her professional life, why Kolbe is the only assessment she uses with clients and with new and existing employees, and how taking the assessment helped her grow as a leader. Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Dana Anspach What she does: Dana is the founder and CEO of Sensible Money, LLC. Company: Sensible Money, LLC             Noteworthy: Dana is an influential thought leader in financial services and gives advice on financial planning and retirement. She is also a Kolbe Certified Consultant.  Where to find Dana: LinkedIn Podcast Insights 

The Kolbe A™ Index is the only assessment that measures how you naturally take action. Of course, once you've taken the Index, there are several actions you can take to better understand and build on your conative strengths. First of all, you'll want to have an appreciation of what your result means.  So, in this episode of the Powered by Instinct podcast, our host Amy Bruske walks us through the four Action Modes®: Fact Finder, Follow Thru, Quick Start, and Implementor. She explains Kolbe numbers in detail and shares tips to help you better understand your results, and how you can use them going forward. Key Insights  ⚡ All Kolbe A results are positive and equal. It's important to understand that there are no right or wrong Kolbe results. Amy explains, "All results are positive. So, there are no good or bad or right or wrong Kolbe results. All of the results are absolutely positive and equal. So, one person might have an eight in one of Kolbe' Action Modes and another person a two — those are equally positive. So, people have the same amount of mental energy or striving energy to get things done — you are equal to anybody else in your ability to execute." ⚡ Kolbe A is unchanging. Our surroundings or genetics don't determine our instincts. And the same goes for our Kolbe A results. Amy says, "The good part about that is you can know what to count on in yourself and other people. The bad part about that is if you're trying to change your significant other, you can stop now because that is not going to work. There are some things about how people take action that are natural and are not going to change over time." ⚡ There are four Kolbe Action Modes. Kolbe's four Action Modes show how you take action and approach problems. Amy says, "Fact Finder is how you gather and share information. Follow Thru is how you organize or design things. Quick Start is how you deal with risk and uncertainty, and Implementor is how you handle space and tangibles." Episode Highlights  The Fact Finder mode is how you handle information "Fact Finder is how you gather and share information. We all give information; we all receive information. How you do that falls on this continuum from someone who is going to be very specific in that seven through ten range up to someone in the one through three range who is going to simplify." The Follow Thru mode is how you organize and design "Think of this as a continuum from someone who is systematic on the seven through ten range up to someone in the one to three range who is more adaptable. Now, those of you who fall in the seven through ten range in Follow Thru, you do your best problem-solving when you design a plan first, when you absolutely have a system in place for how things get done, and you're the one who naturally gets pleasure out of crossing something off your list." The Quick Start mode is how you handle risk and uncertainty  "Think of it as a continuum from someone who is naturally going to jump in and innovate solutions up to someone who's going to stabilize. And those of you that fall in the seven through ten range, you do your best problem-solving when you can experiment. You jump in, and you try things out." The Implementor mode is how you handle space and tangibles "Think of it as this continuum from someone who is going to naturally build a solution or demonstrate something in three dimensions up to someone who's going to envision or imagine a solution." 

Are you ready to use your natural instincts to improve your business, your team, your career and — your life?! Listen to THIS episode for pro tips that will set you up for sustained success. Welcome to the 10th episode of Powered by Instinct. In the previous nine episodes, we talked with Kolbe experts, CEOs, and entrepreneurs about hiring, onboarding, employee engagement, company culture, and how the Kolbe A™ Index helps improve these processes.  You'll find answers to the following questions, and much more: What is the Kolbe A Index? What assessments should I be taking, and should I combine them with Kolbe? Why should I use Kolbe for hiring? How can Kolbe help me build and maintain an engaged culture? What has Kolbe done for other businesses and individuals, and how can it do the same for me? This episode is chock-full of information, innovation, and insight to help you take your business, your team, and your career to new levels, powered by instincts.  Podcast Insights 

Employee engagement has always been important. It has never been more important than it is now.  The realities of the pandemic, combined with technological advances, have created a new era where remote work is a standard part of business. Company culture is critical, a bigger mission is vital, and an environment that employees value is essential. In this episode of Powered by Instinct, our host David Kolbe welcomes Stefan Wissenbach, the founder and CEO of Engagement Multiplier. After spending years in consultancy, Stefan realized his purpose was to help companies improve employee engagement by offering tools that can measure and build upon it. After all, as Stefan says, “what gets measured can be improved.” Stefan and David discuss steps to improve the employee experience, and Stefan shares a valuable framework that he refers to as ABC: Alignment, Belonging, and Clarity. They also talk successful teams.  Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Stefan Wissenbach What he does: Stefan is the founder and CEO of Engagement Multiplier. Company: Engagement Multiplier Noteworthy: Stefan has been working with entrepreneurs and business leaders for three decades on an industry that ''hit the headlines'' once the pandemic began and continues to be a giant priority in the post-pandemic business world: employee engagement.  Where to find Stefan: LinkedIn Podcast Insights 

EOS Worldwide helps entrepreneurs live their ideal life. One of the ways EOS Implementers™ and companies running on EOS accomplish this is through the use of Kolbe assessments and solutions. Likewise, Kolbe Corp proudly runs on EOS to help others use their instinctive strengths to accomplish what they care about most.  So, why not get two visionaries together to help provide more insight for everyone about the people part of business? In this episode of the Powered by Instinct podcast, Kolbe Corp CEO and Visionary David Kolbe welcomes Mark O'Donnell, the CEO of and Visionary at EOS Worldwide. They talk about how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) prepares you for tough times, why culture beats strategy, how EOS utilizes Kolbe and vice-versa, and why fun-loving teams are more productive.  Guest-at-a-Glance 

There is no shortage of assessments on the market, and for good reason. Team leaders know how vital understanding their people is to boosting engagement and retention. But it's not enough to use assessments; you need to use the right ones for your company's needs.  You've heard of assessments like the Kolbe Index, DiSC, Predictive Index, and Clifton Strengths. But, do you have a true appreciation for how they can help your team and what other issues may still be in play afterwards?  Fear not, because we're here to make sense of it all and help set your team up for sustained success. In this episode of Powered by Instinct, host Eric Herrera welcomes Stephanie Clergé, the VP of Training and Consulting at Kolbe Corp. The two discuss the three parts of the mind and the various assessments used for each. They also touch upon The Kolbe System™ and what differentiates it from other programs. Finally, they explain how organizations can use these assessments to reduce stress, improve collaboration, and increase productivity. Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Stephanie Clergé What she does: Stephanie is the VP of Training and Consulting at Kolbe Corp. Company: Kolbe Corp Noteworthy: Stephanie's areas of ease, energy and excellence: Speaking, Training, Executive and Leadership Coaching, Instructional Design, Manager and New Manager Coaching, Career Coaching, Outplacement Coaching, Leadership, and Team Training and Consulting, etc. Where to find Stephanie: LinkedIn Podcast Insights 

Companies want productive and engaged employees. But not many know when and how to work on employee engagement. First, it is critical to understand that employee engagement depends on their day-to-day role. After all, those who connect with their job are more motivated to work toward the company's goals.  In this episode of Powered by Instinct, Amy Bruske, the President of the Kolbe Corp, joins host Stephanie Clergé to consider what makes for an engaged culture. The two discuss why it is critical to identify employees' strengths and align them with roles within your organization and why employee engagement starts with the hiring process.  Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Amy Bruske What she does: Amy is the President of Kolbe Corp. Company: Kolbe Corp Noteworthy: Amy is one of the company's three Senior Master Consultants. She is also in demand for executive coaching and team building by a wide range of businesses worldwide. Where to find Amy: LinkedIn Podcast Insights 

When you hire a person with a specific set of professional skills and experience, you are also welcoming a particular personality, AND someone with a specific way of naturally taking action.  Just like a strong team needs a wide variety of skills and viewpoints to thrive, successful organizations need a group with diverse instincts and problem-solving approaches in order to overcome roadblocks and reach their full potential. In this episode of Powered by Instinct, host David Kolbe welcomes Shelley Moore. Shelley is the Founder and President of Insight Strategic Concepts, and a Kolbe Certified™ Consultant for 24 years. The two discuss why it's essential for executives to identify each employee's MO early on and how they can fully optimize the strengths of their team members to take their business to the next level.  Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Shelley Moore What she does: Shelley is the Founder and President of Insight Strategic Concepts. Company: Insight Strategic Concepts Noteworthy: Shelley has been a Kolbe certified consultant since 1998.  She is the 2020 Kolbe Professional Award winner.Where to find Shelley: LinkedIn Podcast Insights 

Today, it's not enough to hire the job candidate who interviews the best. If you want a long-term answer, you need to find the best fit for your company and the best fit for the role.  It helps to examine a candidate's resume (education and experience) and evaluate their personality to ensure that the company's values match the candidate's values. But there's a third piece, a dimension often overlooked but as vital as the previous two: how a candidate naturally does things, approaches tasks, analyzes, and completes assignments — the conative part of the mind. In this episode of Powered by Instinct, Amy Bruske, the President of Kolbe Corp, joins our host Eric Herrera to discuss the role Kolbe plays in successful recruitment, hiring strategies, and onboarding, and how to successfully implement the hiring cheat code to reduce the many costs of turnover.  Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Amy Bruske What she does: Amy is the President of Kolbe Corp. Company: Kolbe Corp Noteworthy: Amy is one of the company's three Senior Master Consultants. She is also in demand for executive coaching and team building for a wide range of businesses worldwide. Where to find Amy: LinkedIn Podcast Insights 

There is power in knowing your own strengths and the strengths of those around you.  This is true in any industry, as it is true in life. But one space where there is often a particularly large need is in the legal profession, where many business owners become so nearly by accident. Crisp is an award-winning company that specializes in helping legal firms grow their businesses, and they use Kolbe with every client that they coach…because they value the power behind understanding strengths.  In this episode of Kolbe – Powered by Instinct, Jessica Mogill, the Head of Coaching Strategy at Crisp and Kolbe Certified™ Consultant, joins our host David Kolbe. The two discuss when she first heard about Kolbe, how she uses it internally and externally (with employees and clients) to improve hiring practices, optimize teamwork and align people to the right roles, and how the Kolbe assessment can help businesses in any field where team dynamics matter.  Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Jessica Mogill What she does: Jessica is the Head of Coaching Strategy at Crisp, an award-winning law firm growth company. Company: Crisp Noteworthy: Jessica is a Kolbe Certified™ Consultant. Prior to joining Crisp, Jessica worked as a trainer at a company, and her role required her to be certified by Kolbe. That's the first time she came across Kolbe.  Where to find Jessica: LinkedIn Podcast Insights 

Episode Summary The ideal work setting involves people getting along and working towards a shared goal. But not everyone approaches tasks the same way — even people in the same roles. Many businesses succeed because their management knows that diversity is vital. You don't want to form a team of look-alikes; you want different perspectives and personalities to drive your business growth.  It's often challenging, especially for employees, to collaborate with people who don't use the same work methods. But just because someone approaches a task differently than you doesn't mean their approach is wrong. It probably just means they have a different working style.   In this episode of Powered by Instinct, Kolbe Corp VP of Sales Eric Herrera chats with Stephanie Clergé, the VP of Training and Consulting at Kolbe Corp. The two discuss the Kolbe Comparisons: A to A™ report and how it helps organizations understand their workforce and coworkers understand each other. This allows them to establish and compare each other's strengths and make the most out of them.  Eric and Stephanie use real-life examples to illustrate this. They compare their coworkers' Kolbe A™ indexes and explain why these individuals are in their particular role, what the result says about their strengths, and how they all — despite being more or less different — work with each other successfully.   Guest-at-a-Glance Name: Stephanie Clergé What she does: Stephanie is the VP of Training and Consulting at Kolbe Corp. Company: Kolbe Corp Noteworthy: Stephanie works with Kolbe Certified™ Consultants — individuals who are trained to work with Kolbe solutions. ''What I love doing and get a chance to do every day is training for some of our clients. My goal is to make sure that folks using Kolbe have the information they need to do it well and apply it to whatever they care about the most.''  Where to find Stephanie: LinkedIn Podcast Insights 

Episode SummaryKathy Kolbe's vast experiences led her to believe a simple yet profound statement: Every person on this planet is unique and capable of achieving incredible things.So she developed a theory. And then, she proved it. Kathy is an acclaimed theorist, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and educator. She's also the creator of the Kolbe A™ Index, the only valid and reliable assessment tool for measuring an individual's method of operation (MO) within the conative faculty of the brain.In the first episode of the Powered by Instinct podcast, Kathy Kolbe and host Amy Bruske discuss the Kolbe A™ Index, its Action Modes, the benefits such an assessment brings to businesses and schools, and how it can improve our personal and professional lives. Take the Kolbe A Index at Kolbe.comGuest-at-a-Glance