What makes a great leader? According to David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp, it is not about IQ or personality alone. It is about how people take action. In this episode of the Strategy and Leadership Podcast, host Anthony Taylor speaks with David about the Kolbe Concept®, a framework that has helped leaders and organizations for nearly 50 years.
Drawing from his experience as a lawyer, executive, and leadership expert, David explains why self awareness is the starting point for effective leadership, how to build diverse teams that leverage differences, and why tolerating people is not enough. Leaders need to truly empower their people.
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Key Topics Covered
- Why self-awareness is the foundation of leadership
- How leaders can build diverse and high-performing teams
- Why empowerment matters more than tolerance in management
- What happens when the team that worked yesterday is not right for tomorrow
- How AI is reshaping leadership and the next evolution of Kolbe Corp
Self-Awareness as a Leader
David shares that the leaders who use Kolbe best always start with themselves.
“They need to understand it for themselves. So they really have a sense of what are we talking about? For me, I gather and share a lot of information… and I realize that’s what I need to do to tap into my strengths.” – David Kolbe
Understanding one’s own instincts provides the foundation for working effectively with others and building stronger teams.
Why Teams Fail When Everyone Thinks the Same
One of the most powerful takeaways from this episode is that teams fail when leaders try to surround themselves with people just like them.
“If you put together a team where you just want everybody to be like you, it feels good for a little while. But that team will be dysfunctional because there are big gaps.” – David Kolbe
Great leaders embrace difference. Instead of cloning themselves, they look for complementary strengths and empower those people to shine.
Innovation and the Bus Metaphor
David explains that the skills that got your team here may not get you there. Teams built for efficiency are not always the ones suited for innovation.
“What happens when you get off the bus and you bought a new one? Most people forget about that step. They’ve got the right people in the right seats, but they don’t realize they just hit a transfer and need a different bus.” – David Kolbe
This metaphor underscores why leaders must adapt their teams when circumstances change.
AI and the Future of Kolbe
AI is top of mind for every organization. David shares his perspective.
“I don’t think AI is at the point where it can replace most humans in an organization. But it’s the huge discussion of where will that change, how will it change, and how quickly will it come?” – David Kolbe
Kolbe Corp has always been technology-forward, evolving from paper assessments to SaaS. Now, they are exploring how AI can help deliver insights faster while maintaining the accuracy and reliability the company is known for.
“Don’t just tolerate people who think differently. Actually leverage their strengths.” – David Kolbe
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About the Guest
David Kolbe is the CEO of Kolbe Corp and an expert in helping leaders unlock innovation through people. Over his 28 years with the company, he has been the visionary behind many of Kolbe’s products, including contributing to the original algorithm of the Kolbe A™ Index. A licensed attorney, David holds a Law Degree from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Learn more: www.kolbe.com
Connect with David on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/davidjkolbe
About the Host
Anthony Taylor is the CEO, Founder, and Senior Facilitator at SME Strategy. With over 14 years of experience, he helps leadership teams worldwide create alignment, implement strategies, and drive results.
Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anthonyctaylor604
Helpful Resources and Contact
More from our online courses: courses.smestrategy.net
Contact our team: smestrategy.net/contact
Podcast produced by: Rednyne Productions
