Is your team constantly butting heads—even though everyone’s working toward the same goal?

In this high-impact episode of Knack 4 Business, Curt Friedel, Director of the Center for Cooperative Problem Solving and Associate Professor at Virginia Tech, shares how leaders can leverage the Kirton Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI) to decode team conflict and unleash creativity.

Curt breaks down the adaptive vs. innovative continuum—a hidden aspect of personality that profoundly shapes how individuals approach challenges. From tweaking systems to dismantling them entirely, these contrasting styles can either clash or complement—depending on how they're managed.

Drawing on insights from military leadership, corporate teams, and even pandemic response, Curt reveals how to use KAI to:

• Build high-performing, cognitively diverse teams
• Reduce interpersonal conflict by 90%
• Manage tension between detailed thinkers and big-picture disruptors
• Prevent fast-scaling businesses from imploding due to leadership blind spots
• Apply "Problem A vs. Problem B" thinking to focus on solving real issues, not internal noise

Whether you’re a solopreneur hiring your first team member or an executive leading a complex organization—this episode is your cheat code for reducing drama and building synergy.

🎯 Key Topics Covered:

• What is KAI and how does it work?
• Adaptive vs. innovative styles—explained simply
• How to manage style diversity during high-stress times like COVID-19
• Entrepreneurial blind spots: adaptive vs. innovative founders
• How to predict and manage team conflict
• The truth about coping behavior and burnout
• Why KAI shouldn’t be used in hiring—but how job descriptions can be tailored
• The practical path to KAI certification and global applications

🎓 Guest Resources:

👤 Curt Friedel on LinkedIn
🌐 Center for Cooperative Problem Solving
📩 Email: [email protected]

💼 Sponsors That Support You:

These tools and communities were hand-picked for their relevance to growing and managing strong businesses:

• Descript – Smarter Content Creation
  Save time editing podcasts, promos, and internal training videos with simple document-style editing.
• Property Wizard Podcast – Real Estate Made Practical
  Learn beginner-friendly investing strategies from Fred Crouch to grow your wealth and business assets.
• Notionhive – Websites That Actually Work
  Turn your site into a lead-generation machine with custom builds tailored to small business needs.

🙌 Special Thanks To:

🎙️ Carl Richards – Podcast Solutions Made Simple
🏠 Fred Crouch – Property Wizard
🏢 Jovan Strika – @Hive Coworking
🤝 Melanie Webber – Business Partner
🎤 Wayne Pratt – Motive8U Inc

🎧 Hosts:
🔗 Bernie Franzgrote
🔗 Wayne Pratt

📣 Want to Learn More or Get Featured?

Reach out at [email protected] or visit https://knack4business.com.

🎥 Watch the full YouTube episode here: https://youtu.be/74D5YGmzHlo

🎙️ Listen to more episodes on Knack 4 Business: https://tinyurl.com/3rhcpmyd

🌐 Visit our site: https://tinyurl.com/43fdyzew

Disclaimer: Please note that the Knack 4 Business podcast episodes are meant solely for educational and general informational purposes. The information and opinions contained within are not intended to be professional advice on any subject matter. The thoughts, views, and opinions expressed by the participants are their own beliefs and do not represent the views of the podcast hosts or any affiliated organizations.

It is important to note that this podcast is not a replacement for consulting with certified experts in your area who possess knowledge of your unique situation. The hosts of the podcast, along with any participants or affiliated groups, do not take responsibility for any actions taken or not taken based on the information presented in this episode.

It is highly recommended that individuals seek guidance from their advisors in fields such as accounting, law, or other pertinent areas prior to undertaking any actions or making decisions that may impact their financial, legal, or other aspects of life.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.