What happens when family dynamics intersect with business strategy? David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp, shares the highs and hurdles of taking the reins in a family business. With roots in his grandfather’s Wonderlic Test and his mother’s Kolbe Index, David explains how understanding instincts and strengths has shaped his leadership, his family relationships, and the way he keeps fresh ideas flowing. KEY TOPICS What happens when your boss is also your parent (or you’re the parent). The real impact of job titles and why your team might care more than you think. Knowing when to pass the torch as a business founder. How to balance creative freedom with practical strategy in a family business. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro: Defeating Bad Decision-Making in Life and Business 05:29 David Kolbe on Growing Up in a Family Business 07:51 Wonderlic Test: Its NFL Legacy and Origins 10:16 From Law to Leadership: Why David Joined Kolbe Corp 12:30 Working with Family: Lessons from the Trenches 14:54 Navigating Family Dynamics in Business Decisions 17:16 When Family Disagreements Rattle the Workplace 19:40 How Kolbe Corp Helps Leaders Leverage Strengths 22:04 When Quick Start Leaders Meet High Follow-Through Teams 24:26 Strategic Vision vs. Tactical Execution in Leadership 26:50 Why Most Businesses Aren’t Built for Innovation 29:08 The Key to Selling a Business Worth Buying 31:32 Structuring Teams for Growth Without Chaos 33:52 Letting Go: How Founders Transition Leadership 36:17 When the Visionary Isn’t the Business Owner 38:38 Avoiding Cultural Stagnation in Family Businesses 40:53 Building Innovation Departments That Last 43:16 When Tradition Holds a Business Back 45:37 Empowering Quick Start Talent Without Losing Control 47:59 Why Accurate Job Titles Matter for Teams 50:14 The Risk of Over-Titling Employees 52:39 Creating a Fun and Caring Workplace Culture 55:00 What “Mandatory Fun” Teaches About Leadership 57:17 David Kolbe’s Decision-Making Tip for Business Owners 59:10 Key Takeaways 1:01:00 Message from the Producer CONNECT WITH US www.decidedlypodcast.com Watch this episode on YouTube Subscribe on YouTube Join us on Instagram: @decidedlypodcast Join us on Facebook Shawn’s Instagram: @shawn_d_smith Sanger’s Instagram: @sangersmith Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editing and post-production of the Decidedly podcast. SANGER’S BOOK: A Life Rich with Significance: Transforming Your Wealth to Meaningful Impact SHAWN’S BOOK: Plateau Jumping: What to Change When Change Is What You Want MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION? At Decidedly Wealth Management, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy. LEARN MORE: www.decidedlywealth.com SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER CONNECT WITH DAVID KOLBE Website: https://www.kolbe.com/ Book “Do More More Naturally: Empowering Effortless Success and the Freedom to Be Yourself”: https://a.co/d/h8he2iG Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kolbecorp TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@poweredbyinstinct Kolbe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kolbe-corp/ David’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-kolbe-b352a99/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KolbeCorp Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KolbeCorp X: https://x.com/Kolbe_Corp As CEO of Kolbe Corp, David Kolbe is committed to helping people use their natural instincts to thrive. The Kolbe A™ Index helps people understand their instinctive strengths and how to use them to tackle challenges. David’s all about making our instincts work for us, not against us—turning what comes naturally into real-world results that drive success at home and in business.
