At MKD, we often say that we have a “J culture.”

That phrase comes from the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), specifically the “Judging” preference, which is about how people organize decisions and follow through. People with this preference value closure. They plan ahead, meet deadlines, and most importantly, get things done.

That’s not just a personality trait at MKD: it’s a defining part of how we operate, and how many clients describe their experience working with us—decisive, responsive and dependable.

A Culture of Follow-Through

When we hire, part of our process includes having candidates take the MBTI assessment. There’s no “right” answer, but cultural alignment matters deeply in a small, collaborative firm like ours.

Over time, we’ve learned that our team thrives when everyone shares that J-style drive to finish what they start.

We’ve also seen what happens when that alignment isn’t there. Even small things, like coordinating a team lunch order, can reveal meaningful differences in how people operate. When one person lags on providing their input while everyone else responds promptly, it disrupts the rhythm of a team that’s used to moving quickly and decisively.

That same dynamic plays out in much more meaningful ways in our client work. Our clients value responsiveness, accountability, and results, and our J culture is designed to support those expectations.

Reinforcing a J Culture with Kolbe

We don’t rely on Myers-Briggs alone to understand how people work. We also use the Kolbe A™ Index, which measures how people naturally take action when they’re free to be themselves. One of Kolbe’s key dimensions is Follow Thru, the instinctive way someone organizes, designs, and maintains systems.

Our team members consistently score high in Follow Thru, reinforcing what we already know about our culture: we’re wired toward structure, reliability, and execution. Whether viewed through the lens of Myers-Briggs or Kolbe, the through-line is the same: we emphasize getting things done.

What a J Culture Means for Clients

For our clients, MKD’s J culture is intended to provide peace of mind. When something needs to get done, it gets done.

Whether we’re coordinating complex estate plans, executing business transition strategies, or managing multi-layered investment structures, our team focuses on follows through. We aim to keep things moving on time, with attention to detail, and without requiring repeated follow-ups.

We also collaborate closely with other professionals such as CPAs, estate planning attorneys and business consultants, and we hold them to the same high standard of execution. We know how frustrating it can be when others don’t share that same follow-through mentality, so we seek out professional partners who operate with similar discipline and accountability.

We also use the MBTI in our client onboarding process as one tool to better understand communication and decision-making styles. For clients, it’s not about evaluation. It’s about helping us tailor our approach so that planning conversations and follow-up are as clear and comfortable as possible, regardless of personality preferences.

Finding the Right Culture Fit

A J culture isn’t the right fit for everyone.

Some clients and professionals prefer a more flexible, go-with-the-flow approach. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s just different. But for individuals who value precision, accountability, and clear progress toward their goals, MKD will feel like home.

That’s the essence of our J culture, and one of the reasons clients choose to work with us. We are a team that makes plans, sticks to them, and follows through. For our clients, that means less time managing details or chasing next steps and more confidence that their planning process keeps moving forward.

 

This material is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual and does not take into consideration your specific situation. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or will yield positive outcomes. Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial advisor, legal, and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed here. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Kolbe A™ Index are third-party assessment tools used by MKD for internal team development and cultural alignment. MKD is not affiliated with or endorsed by either organization.