How can personality assessments like Kolbe A and StrengthsFinder optimize critical decision making within an EOS Accountability Chart?

Question

Tyler Smith · Accepted Answer

Optimizing critical decision making within an EOS Accountability Chart requires understanding the diverse cognitive and conative styles of the individuals holding key seats. Personality assessments like Kolbe A and StrengthsFinder offer complementary insights to achieve this. Kolbe A is invaluable because it reveals how people instinctively initiate action and approach problem-solving. For critical decisions, it helps ensure that all necessary 'modes of operation' are represented and leveraged. For instance, a decision requiring thorough data analysis benefits from someone with high Fact Finder. A decision needing quick, innovative solutions calls for high Quick Start. By understanding the Kolbe strengths of the team members involved in a particular decision, leaders can deliberately assign roles in the decision-making process to those whose conative strengths naturally align, ensuring a more comprehensive and efficient approach. This prevents 'groupthink' that arises from everyone approaching a problem the same way, or paralysis from a lack of action orientation.

StrengthsFinder, on the other hand, highlights individuals' innate talents, which can be critical for the qualitative aspects of decision making. Someone with the 'Strategic' theme naturally sees patterns and alternative paths, crucial for evaluating options. A person with 'Analytic' will bring logic and objectivity, while 'Activator' can push for swift resolution once a decision is made. Leveraging these strengths means involving the right people at the right stage of the decision process. For example, use 'Input' and 'Intellection' strengths for gathering and processing information, 'Strategic' and 'Futuristic' for envisioning outcomes, and 'Achiever' and 'Discipline' for executing the chosen path. Integrating both Kolbe A and StrengthsFinder ensures that critical decisions are not only well-considered from multiple perspectives but also moved forward with natural ease and efficiency, ultimately strengthening the entire EOS Accountability Chart's performance.