Episode 342 — David Kolbe — The Missing Piece to Peak Performance
What if the key to unlocking your law firm’s full potential wasn’t in the resumes you review but in understanding how your team is instinctively wired to take action?
In this episode of The Game Changing Attorney Podcast, Michael Mogill is joined by David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp and a thought leader in conative assessments. David shares his journey from the legal field to becoming an influential figure in helping organizations understand and harness instinctive strengths through the Kolbe assessment. The discussion dives into his insights on team dynamics, revealing the potential of both professional success and personal satisfaction by understanding one’s inherent strengths.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- How understanding conative strengths through the Kolbe assessment can lead to increased productivity and job satisfaction
- Why aligning team roles with natural inclinations reduces burnout and enhances overall firm efficiency and growth
- How leveraging Kolbe insights can improve both professional relationships and personal dynamics, leading to more harmonious and effective interactions
This episode holds the game plan for building a cohesive, motivated, and insanely effective team — the kind of team that doesn’t just help you grow, but helps you dominate your market.
Want to learn more about Kolbe? Email [email protected] for more information!
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Show Notes:
From law to entrepreneurship. “I am not one of those former lawyers who hated practicing law. I enjoyed it. But in the late ’90s, I got recruited into a company started by my mom that was heavily involved in the internet and entrepreneurial ventures. I was able to keep a foot in the legal field as general counsel, all while exploring new business opportunities. It was a unique position where I didn’t have to completely leave the legal world behind.”
Understanding Kolbe: Action determines success. “At its core, what we do with Kolbe is help people understand their instinctive strengths about the way they take action that drives their success. We’re not measuring intelligence or personality but the conative — how people take action. There are four action modes: Fact Finder, Follow Through, Quick Start, and Implementer. Each law firm can leverage these to align roles with their team’s natural ways of working, leading to more effective and harmonious operations.”
The power of knowing your conative strengths. “With Kolbe, it’s not just about identifying where you excel but understanding the energy dynamics involved in tasks. I can simplify and bottom line things, but it’s going to be stressful for me if I do it all the time. That’s where delegation and strategic team composition come in. Legal professionals can thrive by focusing on their strengths, not fighting against them. When a task doesn’t suit your conative profile, it drains your energy significantly — this can make the difference between a thriving practice and constant burnout.”
Hiring and team composition with Kolbe. “Hiring using Kolbe is straightforward. You figure out the demands of a role and match candidates’ conative strengths accordingly. It’s about enhancing efficiency and making sure people are not just filling a role but thriving in it. This approach has allowed law firm owners to avoid costly hiring mistakes, and when you align someone’s strengths with their responsibilities, the whole team becomes more productive.”
Kolbe in personal and professional relationships. “Knowing your Kolbe can be transformative, not just in business but in your personal life. With your partner, it’s about understanding each other’s strengths and differences. My wife and I have different follow-through mechanisms, which initially caused friction but eventually led us towards harmony through understanding. It turns your companion into your ally as you learn to lean on each other’s strengths.”
Connect with Michael
- Text directly at 404-531-7691
