Success isn’t always about working harder or longer hours. Kolbe Corp believes there’s a better way—one that focuses on aligning work with your instincts. Their strengths-based approach helps individuals and teams achieve more without burning out. But how does it work, and why should business leaders care?
Why People Struggle to Do More?
Most professionals have been taught to improve their weaknesses. They spend time and energy developing skills that don’t come naturally to them. This approach often leads to diminishing returns, with many feeling stuck or frustrated when their efforts don’t lead to better outcomes.
Kolbe Corp flips this thinking. Instead of trying to force improvement in areas where you don’t naturally excel, Kolbe helps you lean into your strengths. The result? More productive, more satisfying work.
But it’s not without its challenges. Many have spent years following advice to “work harder” or “fix our flaws.” Shifting to a strengths-based mindset requires letting go of those traditional ideas and trusting your instincts.
A Strengths-Based Approach
Amy Bruske and David Kolbe, leaders at Kolbe Corp, have spent decades refining this approach. Their framework, which focuses on intuitive strengths rather than personality or IQ, has helped Fortune numerous companies, government agencies, and countless individuals work smarter, not harder.
Kolbe’s approach is built on three key principles:
- Clarity: Understanding your strengths is the foundation. The Kolbe A™ Index measures how you naturally take action, revealing your Method of Operation (MO). This isn’t about personality but how you instinctively approach problem-solving and decision-making. Once you have clarity on your MO, you can decide better where to focus your efforts.
- Commitment: After gaining clarity, the next step is using your strengths. Many people waste mental energy trying to improve in areas that don’t align with their MO. Kolbe’s method encourages you to focus on the tasks that match your strengths. This not only improves results but also reduces the risk of burnout.
- Collaboration: No one can succeed alone. Understanding your strengths also helps you know where you need others. Successful leaders don’t try to do everything—they surround themselves with people who complement their natural abilities. Kolbe’s system helps you identify where collaboration will make a significant impact.
Real-World Impact of the Kolbe A Index
The Kolbe A Index has been used across industries to help individuals and teams align with their natural work methods. Leaders use it to build stronger teams by assigning roles based on how people instinctively approach tasks.
For example, a global tech company struggling with project delays decided to have its leadership team take the Kolbe A Index. The results highlighted that many team members were in roles that didn’t match their natural strengths. After realigning responsibilities, they saw increased project completion speed within the first six months.
This isn’t an isolated case. Research shows that employees who align with their strengths are more likely to be engaged in their jobs and are more likely to say they have an excellent quality of life.
But Kolbe’s method isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It works premierly in environments that encouraging people to leverage their strengths rather than rigid, top-down structures demanding uniformity. Kolbe’s framework can be a game-changer for teams and leaders looking for more flexibility and better engagement.
Do More, More Naturally: A Sustainable Path to Success
Kolbe Corp’s philosophy is captured in the upcoming book Do More, More Naturally. Written by Amy Bruske and David Kolbe, it explores how you can achieve more by tapping into your natural strengths instead of forcing yourself to change.
It’s a concept that resonates with many who are tired of traditional “self-improvement” models. The book argues that true success comes not from endless personal development but from clarity, commitment, and collaboration. It’s about understanding what you’re already good at and doubling down on that.
But this approach requires a mindset shift. It asks you to stop trying to “fix” yourself and start asking, “What am I naturally good at? How can I do more of that?” This is where sustainable success comes from—by aligning your goals with your natural abilities.
Applying Kolbe’s Method: What Business Leaders Should Know
So, how can you apply this in your work or organization?
- Start with Clarity: Take the Kolbe A Index yourself. Identify your intuitive strengths and reflect on how you’ve been spending your time. Are you aligning with those strengths, or are you fighting against them?
- Rethink Your Team’s Roles: Encourage your team to take the Kolbe A Index. Analyze whether their roles fit their natural strengths. Where possible, shift responsibilities to better align with each person’s MO. This can lead to more engaged, productive teams.
- Commit to Strengths-Based Leadership: As a leader, stop trying to mold people into a one-size-fits-all framework. Instead, leverage the unique strengths each person brings to the table. Use your clarity about your strengths to guide decision-making, and collaborate with those who complement your abilities.
But remember, the Kolbe method isn’t about ignoring weaknesses altogether. It’s about understanding your strengths and building a team that fills the gaps. Leaders who embrace this approach usually report lower turnover, better engagement, and better results.
Start to Do More, More Naturally
Kolbe Corp isn’t offering a quick fix—they’re providing a sustainable way to work with who you are, not against it. By focusing on clarity, commitment, and collaboration, their strengths-based approach empowers individuals and teams to achieve more without the endless grind of self-improvement.
Whether you’re a CEO looking to improve your leadership or a team member looking to work more efficiently, Kolbe’s approach offers a roadmap to success that feels natural—and that makes all the difference.
Published by: Josh Tatunay
