Most hiring decisions focus on experience, intelligence, or personality, but even when all three look right on paper, teams still struggle with execution, communication, and alignment.

In this episode of Harry Handles It, Harry Nalbandyan sits down with David Kolbe to break down the missing piece that most organizations overlook: how people actually take action. The conversation centers around the Kolbe Index and its focus on the conative part of the mind, which measures instinctive strengths and the natural way individuals approach problem solving and execution. 

David explains why understanding how someone operates is just as important as what they know or how they behave. The discussion highlights how misalignment in these instinctive strengths often leads to friction inside teams, especially as organizations scale and leaders attempt to move faster than their teams can execute.

The episode also explores how leaders can use these insights to improve hiring, team structure, and communication. Rather than forcing individuals to operate outside their natural strengths, the focus shifts toward placing people in roles where they can perform at their highest level while building systems that account for differences in how work gets done.

The conversation covers:

• The difference between cognitive, affective, and conative strengths
•  How the Kolbe Index measures instinctive ways of taking action
•  Why execution breakdowns often come from misalignment, not capability
•  The four action modes: fact finder, follow through, quick start, and implementer
•  How leaders can reduce friction by aligning roles with natural strengths
•  Why diverse thinking styles create stronger teams and better outcomes
•  How communication changes when leaders understand how people operate

This episode is for founders, executives, and operators who are responsible for building teams, hiring effectively, and improving execution across their organization.

”Harry Handles It” is a podcast hosted by Harry Nalbandyan. Each episode explores how top-tier performers navigate pressure, build discipline, and execute at a high level in business and life. Follow the show for direct conversations about performance, leadership, and intentional growth.