Conative Instincts and the Monthly Close

I’m always tempted to tell new people I meet that I’m an 8–8–2–2 after I say my name.

That’s because those four little numbers describe how I go about doing my business when I’m in striving mode. But it’s also because I want the world to know about conation.

In 2008, I took the Kolbe A™ Index. My results yielded the following output:

Kolbe Action Modes™

See those four descriptions above the cylinders? Those are the four Kolbe Action Modes™ that describe our natural tendencies or instincts as we go about doing our work.

Fact Finders
Strategic by nature, initiating Fact Finders (7 through 10) are information gatherers who probe, mine, and research.

As an initiating Fact Finder myself, that’s just the beginning. You can find more about Fact Finders at Kolbe’s site.

Follow Thru
The Strategic Coach founder, Dan Sullivan, describes entrepreneurs as those who:

Make it up, make it real, and make it recurring.

In my opinion, those with a Follow Thru natural tendency or instinct are the ones who get things done or make it real as Dan says.

Look for a Follow Thru, by instinct, to systematize and create structured approaches along with contingencies to getting projects completed.

Again, I feel like I’m merely scratching the surface. Kolbe’s website offers more on the Follow Thru.

Quick Start
When I think of Quick Starts, I think of my friend Shawn Burcham whom I’ve written about over at G3CFO.

Quick Starts instinctively innovate. Never short of ideas and possibilities, they naturally take on risk and explore along the way. That’s exactly what Shawn Burcham does.

I’m not a Quick Start. But I enjoy, even prefer, working for them. They are the reason I generally have ongoing work to do. Where they have ideas and possibilities, I can provide strategy, alternatives, various scenarios, and the plan to execute the ideas.

Like the other Kolbe Action Modes™, you can learn more about Quick Starts on Kolbe’s website.

Implementors
When I think of Implementors, I cannot help but to think of instruments–surgical tools, heavy and small construction equipment, hand tools, paint brushes, and the list goes on and on.

Expect a solid, durable, tactile solution from an Implementor.

You can learn more about them here.

Who Should be Creating and Then Following The Month-end Closing Checklist?

The Kolbe A™ Index is not a personality profile. Instead, it’s an assessment that can measure how we go about doing our business when we’re in striving mode. It’s the natural way we go about our work.

If the above is true, then I want an initiating Follow Thru to construct the month-end checklist. And at a minimum, I want someone with a Follow Thru score of at least 5 or more working on the month-end close.

Follow Thrus who are 1s, 2s, 3s, and possibly 4s–be careful. They will naturally deviate and ultimately skip steps throughout the process.

In short, 5s and 6s can be on the team and part of the month-end closing. But I’d prefer the 7s, 8s, 9s, and 10s designing and overseeing the process.

How Does Your Accounting Department Shape Up?

Is your month-end closing process a well-oiled machine? Do you sense stress, strain, or conflict within the team?

If so, there’s the possibility you have a misfit. I’m not saying the person is a personality misfit. Rather, their conative instincts may not be in alignment with the work required by the role.

We’re not just talking about the month-end close. This discussion applies to every aspect in your accounting and finance department.

Next Steps

Intrigued? Want to learn more?

Here’s a roadmap to consider:

1. Either read Kathy Kolbe’s book Striving Zones or Conative Connection (my personal favorite)
2. Take the Kolbe A™ Index (affiliate link)
3. Then have your entire team take the index
4. Follow-up with a coaching call
5. Learn more practical applications in the Kolbe module of The Smart Close™ Bonus Edition

If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to stand and give Kathy Kolbe (pictured below) a personal standing ovation.

Let’s call it a wrap,
 8–8–2–2