Ep.171 I Deciding to Strengthen Your Family Business: Is it About Titles, or Talents? with David Kolbe

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

 

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Thank you to Shelby Peterson of Transcend Media for editing and post-production of the Decidedly podcast.

 

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