Steve Lear

This year’s annual Kolbe Conference in Phoenix was especially meaningful, as we saluted the incredible legacy of founder Kathy Kolbe, who passed away last May, while celebrating the organization’s 50th anniversary and its bright future. The following are just a few reflections from my time there:

Saluting a Half-Century of Kolbe

While Kolbe is now 50 years old, the theory continues to evolve. Although most people are familiar with the cognitive (thinking) and affective (feeling) aspects of the mind, considerable curiosity remains about the lesser-known third dimension: the conative (doing) aspect. Kolbe is the only assessment that identifies the way a person takes action.

Parents and educators, please visit SteveLear.org to learn about the importance of helping young people discover their unique abilities at an early age.

New Kolbe Research Findings

A historical survey of Kolbe results revealed that very few people are hard-wired to minimize information. Researchers discovered that only a small percentage of people score low in Fact Finder; however, as a member of this group, I find freedom in that knowledge. Instead of wasting time worrying about weaker fact-finding skills, my Kolbe results encourage me to embrace my Quick Start strengths. I have learned that real productivity emerges from the synergy created when Quick Starts and Fact Finders combine their strengths, working together to achieve a common goal.

Waymo is the Way to Go!

The future of transportation is changing, and I had the opportunity to experience it first-hand while attending the conference. Phoenix is one of five major U.S. cities where Waymo is operating its Waymo Driver, a commercial robotaxi service. Ten additional cities are currently in the testing phase. This will be a game-changer for those who either dislike driving or face driving challenges. As a rider, I felt safe and found the service to be fast and efficient. I hope it will have a national rollout as soon as possible!

Why I Value Kolbe

People often wonder about the value of a Kolbe assessment. For me, the insights it provided were life-changing. Many years ago, I had a chance to enter politics. I thought it was an interesting opportunity, and I arranged a visit with Minnesota politician and businessman Rudy Boschwitz and his wife, Ellen.

I brought along a one-page document from my Kolbe assessment that outlined my natural way of getting things done. After taking time to study it, Rudy said, “They’ll eat you alive.” I decided then and there that politics was NOT going to be my life’s direction.

To this day, I’m grateful to both Rudy Boschwitz and Kolbe Corp. for providing me with the confidence to pursue a different path.

I encourage you to visit SteveLear.org to learn more about what a Kolbe assessment can do for you. You’re just 36 questions away from a deeper self-knowledge about your unique strengths!