How can Kolbe A profiles help diagnose bottlenecks in an EOS Accountability Chart?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Kolbe A profiles offer a unique lens for identifying and resolving bottlenecks within an EOS Accountability Chart by revealing individual conative strengths or 'how' people naturally operate. When a particular seat or workflow consistently experiences delays, errors, or frustration, it often points to a mismatch between the inherent demands of the role and the incumbent's natural way of working. For instance, if a Project Manager role requires strong Fact Finder and Follow Through instincts, but the person in that seat has high Quick Start and low Follow Through, they might excel at initiating but struggle with the detailed execution and completion necessary to prevent bottlenecks.

To diagnose, first, analyze the key accountabilities of the bottlenecked seat. Break down the specific actions and thought processes required. Then, compare these demands to the Kolbe A scores of the person currently in that seat. A significant discrepancy, such as a seat needing high Fact Finder for deep analysis but being held by someone with low Fact Finder who prefers quick, intuitive action, will likely create a bottleneck. Similarly, a seat requiring strong Follow Through for process adherence, filled by someone with high Quick Start, may lead to skipping steps or incomplete tasks. This assessment isn't about skill, but about innate energy expenditure. When people are forced to operate against their natural Kolbe instincts, they experience mental fatigue, leading to inefficiencies, procrastination, and ultimately, bottlenecks that impact the entire accountability chart. Identifying these conative mismatches allows leaders to either adjust accountabilities, provide targeted support, or consider a different placement that better aligns with the individual's natural strengths, thereby unblocking the flow.