Now into my thirty-fifth year in this work,
I have been reminiscing a lot about why I am so passionate about it. Throughout the years we have helped forward-looking individuals, teams and complete organizations discover their innate talents and advantages. We have worked with close to 27,000 people. More than consultants, we are partners in the important work of strengthening our community’s organizations and creating meaningful work experiences.
This business was conceived and brought into reality in December of 1990. The Detroit Lions had a 6-10 record that season. No playoff games for them—they were third in their division. My beloved Packers were fourth. A dismal performance under lightweight Lindy Infante as their coach. Brett Favre would not come onto the scene until 1992. There was a highlight for all you Lion’s fans though. A youngster named Barry Sanders led the league in rushing with 1304 yards and 255 carries. Oh, to see that elusiveness, agility, and humility again that defines Barry Sanders.
My First Client
My first client was the City of Holland. What I did for them and who I worked with—I don’t recall. But we still work with the City of Holland today. My entire 34 years at PSG has been in preparation for my life now. Many of you know that my husband, Chris, can no longer communicate audibly like you and I. But we have a very active communication life because we have come to understand how each other works and communicates.
I would say that we talk less and say more, much like famed silent film star Charlie Chaplin. Reportedly, world-renowned physicist and Nobel prize winner Albert Einstein was intrigued to meet Charlie Chaplin. When the two geniuses met, the memorable exchange went something like this:
Communicating Using the Kolbe A™ Index
How are Chris and I able to talk less and say more? God has granted much grace to our marriage, but another reason is that we have been entrenched in the power of the Kolbe A™ Index. It’s a tool that helps you understand yourself, your communication style, and your needs. It helps you understand your striving instincts: how to find them, how to feed them, and how to protect them. Why is Kolbe so important to me? It gives concrete language to how I can add value. Simple as that. For example, when you ask me to be a part of your team, predictably this is what I will bring to the equation:
- I explain ideas that will bring continuous improvement for tangible outcomes
- I highlight and paraphrase ways to bring about change
- I will observe body language and look for opportunities
- I will take the role of the catalyst to get something started
- I vary and uncomplicate approaches to meet client needs
- I will look for shortcuts to make things function
- I randomize and work sporadically to get to closure
What the Kolbe A™ Index Can Teach You About Others
What I have learned about others exceeds what I’ve learned about myself. My mother’s Kolbe MO is 3 7 4 6. She was the secretary to the principal at a high school in Wisconsin for 43 years. As you can guess, she ran that school. The longtime football coach and Athletic Director said to me at her memorial service, “Your mother ran a tight ship.” What a compliment! Her forte was to keep things on time, on track, and on formula. No wonder she worked until she was seventy-five. She was in a role that required just that!
My father was in agricultural sales most of his life. He is a 6 6 3 6. He and my mother came to understand their MOs later in life–closer to the end of their careers. My father and I had a very poignant conversation where I thanked him for his commitment to providing for our family, even while being in roles that most often required him to work against his grain. In a sales environment he did not end up in the Million Dollar Round Table group. This can be extremely defeating when your income generally comes from commissions and bonuses. We discussed the stress this brought, but we also talked about the various roles that did play to his need to stabilize and facilitate. Armed with this vocabulary he was able to look back on those roles that aligned with his strengths and how these built his confidence and brought him satisfaction and success. Having the language and vocabulary to talk directly to the hurt, the pain, and the stress, but also to the times of great satisfaction was priceless.
Modeling Your Life Using Insights Gained From the Kolbe A™ Index
Early on as a Kolbe nut, every member of my immediate family and their children had their Kolbe index result. This came at a time when my children, my nephews and one niece all were considering “what do I do with my life?” The timeliness of this awareness was huge. Young people need to know their MO in order to make good career choices, but also to understand the assignments, the communication, and the environment that triggers their best work.
I have asked others to weigh in on the value they have received over the years. Their testimonies fall into 11 categories of benefit. I call these categories “The Impact of Kolbe on Your Work”:
- Self-awareness
- Right Person/Right Seat
- Recognition of workstyle differences
- Managing conflict
- Communication and interactions with others
- Collaboration
- Team dynamics
- Work environments that maximize productivity
- Clarifying expectations for performance
- Managing work-related stress
- Managing healthy personal relationships
In Their Own Words
The burning question on my mind after 3 ½ decades is: Why wouldn’t every leader want each of their team members to know their own MO and that of others on the team? This knowledge gives each team member confidence in who they are, what others can count on them for, and how together they can accomplish the necessary work that gets them to their definition of success. This knowledge will arm you with the information to address all Eleven People and Organizational needs with just one tool and just one advisor.
I have heard several whispers from the Lord over the years. A very significant one is, “you were not called to success, Mari, you were called to translate, and that will be your success.” Why do teams fail? The biggest reason is communication—they fail to translate.
The Power of Effective Communication
Over the years I have landed on these four words as guideposts for dealing with life situations: What’s important? What’s significant? What’s crucial? What’s essential? While our accomplishments are important, and getting along and dealing with each other is significant. Our communication together is crucial. But finding our true authentic self is essential—it is the air we breathe. That is what gives life and vitality. What do the next 35 years hold for me? I do not know. But as of today, I want to keep on translating.
Mari D. Martin is the founding principal of PSG, Inc., a communication and team building company now headed into its 35th year. PSG helps organizations capitalize on their strengths, improve communications, align people to roles for greater job satisfaction, and build powerful team chemistry. To work with Mari, begin here.