“Mother, don’t tell me that I can’t,” said our son Geoff Crittenden.
I replied, “You can do anything you set your mind to doing, but at what level of pain?”
That conversation (as deep as a high school mother–son chat can be) sparked a journey that took him to the University of Michigan, an NROTC (Naval Reserve Office Training Corp) scholarship, and eventually Florida, where he fought for and won a commission to Naval Air Station Pensacola.
From 2000 to 2008, Geoff served as a Naval Officer and Combat Aviator, making over 200 carrier landings in both the F-14A Tomcat and the F/A-18F Super Hornet. He flew 36 missions in support of Operation Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom, is a decorated aviator for actions over enemy territory, and was awarded the Air Medal with “V.” Today, he’s a software engineer… and a devoted dad to a pre-teen daughter—which sometimes requires its own strike fighter mentality.
Why do I share this with you? Because the conversation that set all this in motion started with Geoff’s Kolbe A™ Index result: 7-2-7-5. Even as a high school senior, Geoff told me, “This is about the best tool you could have to understand your life and how you might succeed in a profession.”
His results showed a remarkable ability to process massive amounts of complex information in fast, changing, and physically demanding dynamic situations; pivot quickly to try new ideas; and thrive under pressure — exactly the talents needed for a “wizzo,” or Weapons Systems Officer, in a two-seat fighter jet.
Helping Students See Their Strengths
Soon, students like Geoff will be heading back to school — many unsure about their next steps. That’s where conversations like these matter. In 2019, I met Jake Kender at the suggestion of his grandparents, Gary and Phyllis Scholten. They had already been intentional about helping their grandkids succeed — offering bonuses for all-A report cards. They were especially active in teaching about grades, finances, and being successful in life and they also wanted them to understand how their natural strengths connect to career choices.
After our meeting, Jake told his grandmother, “Nana, it’s like she just knows me.” His Kolbe A™ result — 3-5-5-8 — revealed he was a hands-on “Doer” who thrives on bringing ideas into reality through action and tangible execution. Explains Jake, “I need to physically see stuff. I need to know how things work before I can tell people or put it on paper.” He’s happiest building, fixing, and creating – not sitting in an office. Fast forward to today: Jake chose the Construction Management program at Ferris State University, graduated this year, and is now an Assistant Superintendent at Pinnacle Construction. He’s onsite every day, overseeing quality and ensuring things are done properly. In five years, he hopes to be leading his own projects — and staying with Pinnacle for the long haul. Regarding our conversation around his Kolbe results back in 2019, Jake says, “[it] helped me see a potential career path. It normalized differences—meaning I didn’t have to be like my brothers.”
Understanding Your Results in High School
Brothers Duncan and Spencer Bocks took the Kolbe A™ in high school. Their father, Nathan, local attorney and Mayor of Holland, says it gave he and wife Elizabeth “delight to know what each was able to do, how different they were, and that was perfectly alright.” Taking the Kolbe A when they did “gave them an appreciation of their strengths, how to own and take advantage of knowing who they are and what they would be good at.”
Maddie Timlowski, now a senior at Holland Christian, recently worked through a two-part process with me:
- Understanding her Kolbe A™ results
- Exploring how her strengths align with her passions, potential careers, and how to transfer what she’s learned into practical next steps
Her takeaway: “Working with you gave me a much better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. It really helped me see how I can shape my life and career choices around what I’ve learned. Now I feel more confident about using my strengths in ways that will be both fulfilling and enjoyable.”
Kolbe A™ Results and Families
Bill and Natalie Huizenga, who took the Kolbe A™ early in their marriage, saw its value for their family of seven. When their kids reached high school, they each met with me to better understand their “operational style.” Natalie recalls, “It was very helpful as they went to college and could see how their strengths could be utilized, be it in classes, extracurricular activities and even how to unwind.”
Natalie continues, “As a family we had a list of everyone’s strengths on the fridge and it was a common discussion and understanding with in our family dynamic why one sibling was first to get ready compared to one who needed more information before a family trip. It helped us create productive systems for a smooth functioning household– how to offer a push or give grace when needed.”
Why This Matters
When I meet with young people, my goal is simple:
- Connect with them
- Transfer awareness of their natural strengths
- Build confidence for making smart decisions now — and wiser ones in the future
I want them to leave with their hand firmly on “the baton of their life,” ready for the next leg of the race. As Jake put it: “Trust this advice. It’s a good starting point.”
A Tool for Younger Students
I’m now certified to administer the Kolbe Y™ Index for youth ages 10+ (with at least a 5th-grade reading level). This tool gives immediate, individualized results — perfect for younger students who may struggle with study habits, task management, or even conflicts at home or school.
As students progress through high school, our conversations shift to college majors, career paths, and job options that fit their innate strengths — just like Geoff, Jake, and Maddie discovered.
When a child knows their natural way of doing things – their best how—they gain confidence, clarity, and the freedom to pursue goals in a way that truly works for them. Whether it’s in school, sports, creative pursuits, or future careers, this self-awareness is a powerful foundation. If you’re a parent, relative, or work with youth and want to explore how Kolbe can support your child’s success, we would love to connect.
