The Kolbe A™ Index: Is Your Interpretation Right?
The Kolbe A™ Index is the only tool for assessing an individual's conative ability. However, face value interpretation of the results may lead to wrong conclusions that defeat the powerful learnings. To reap the benefits of the results, you need to understand the four Action Modes™ and the scale. A proper understanding of the Kolbe score will help you get your rightful position in a team or allocate tasks to the right employees.
What is a Kolbe Score?
The Kolbe A™ Index is an assessment that measures the conative or "doing" part of an individual. It was developed by Kathy Kolbe and gives insight into an individual's way of taking action. The tool comprises 36 forced-answer questions that take about twenty minutes to complete.
A score of 1-3 indicates a Counteract action, 4-6 denotes a React Action, while 7-10 represents an initiating mode. The notion that a higher score on a Kolbe Index™ is better is, therefore, a misconception. The numbers are only a representation of how you spend your time and energy.
This Score Is Assessed In 4 Modes
Fact Finder: How you gather + share information
An individual who initiates on the fact finder will gather data; while an individual who scores low on the fact finder is better at providing a simple overview. Ultimately, the fact finder’s score comes down to their need for information, in order to best succeed in their tasks or goals (and become the most productive form of themselves).
Follow Thru: How you organize
Team players who initiate in the Follow Thru mode are process-oriented and pay attention to a process from start to the end. The follow thru mode should not be confused with the more general term ‘follow through.’ This mode will not tell us if you will complete a task; it explains how you will best get there (following the process, shortcutting the process, etc.).
Quick-start: How you handle risk + uncertainty
People who initiate in this mode are innovative, ready to experiment and always have the latest/greatest idea. I work with many business owners, who by and large initiate on the Quick Start (shoutout to the Visionaries!). An Initiating Quick Start will need the talents of a CounterAct Quick Start to avoid too many risks - and identify what does not need to change.
Implementor: How you handle space + tangibles
Individuals who initiate in Implementor need to take action with 3D figures - prototypes or design models. It is truly painful for them to sit behind a desk all day. While Implementors typically self-select into physical roles, should they find themselves behind a computer getting up and moving around is critical. While those in the preventive implementer only visualize the solution in their mind, providing abstract solutions.
Score Matters, But Not How People Normally Think
When reviewing your result, we find that many individuals and teams look at their score with value judgement (i.e. that higher scores are better than lower scores). This is incorrect because the Kolbe Index™ measures the way you take action - it is not a letter grade on your results. Simply put, the numbers are there to represent how we approach a specific task, not to imply one way is more correct than the other.
The Bottom Line
There is no bad Kolbe Index™ score. The score shows the instinctive nature of individuals, which aids in team selection or job design. You are, therefore, discouraged from looking at the assessment scores through the lenses of pass or fail. Such a perspective would be counterproductive to the essence of the Kolbe Assessment. The goal of the results is to be able to understand our own unique instinctual needs, in order to create better instinctual advantages.
At The Instinctive Advantage, we have taken time to study the Kolbe, its application and benefits. To see how the Kolbe A™ Index varies from other tools, click here. If you need consultation of the Kolbe A™ Index and how you can apply it in your professional life or team, feel free to contact us to get an expert's opinion.