Culture Index
VerifiedExpert interpretation of Culture Index behavioral assessments
$ Add to .claude/skills/ About This Skill
<essential_principles>
Culture Index measures behavioral traits, not intelligence or skills. There is no "good" or "bad" profile.
<principle name="never-compare-absolutes"> Never compare absolute trait values between people.
The 0-10 scale is just a ruler. What matters is distance from the red arrow (population mean at 50th percentile). The arrow position varies between surveys based on EU.
Why the arrow moves: Higher EU scores cause the arrow to plot further right; lower EU causes it to plot further left. This does not affect validity—we always measure distance from wherever the arrow lands.
Wrong: "Dan has higher autonomy than Jim because his A is 8 vs 5" Right: "Dan is +3 centiles from his arrow; Jim is +1 from his arrow"
Always ask: Where is the arrow, and how far is the dot from it? </principle>
<principle name="survey-vs-job"> Survey = who you ARE. Job = who you're TRYING TO BE.
> "You can't send a duck to Eagle school." Traits are hardwired—you can only modify behaviors temporarily, at the cost of energy.
- Top graph (Survey Traits): Hardwired by age 12-16. Does not change. Writing with your dominant hand.
- Bottom graph (Job Behaviors): Adaptive behavior at work. Can change. Writing with your non-dominant hand.
Large differences between graphs indicate behavior modification, which drains energy and causes burnout if sustained 3-6+ months. </principle>
<principle name="distance-interpretation"> Distance from arrow determines trait strength.
| Distance | Label | Percentile | Interpretation | |----------|-------|------------|----------------| | On arrow | Normative | 50th | Flexible, situational | | ±1 centile | Tendency | ~67th | Easier to modify | | ±2 centiles | Pronounced | ~84th | Noticeable difference | | ±4+ centiles | Extreme | ~98th | Hardwired, compulsive, predictable |
Key insight: Every 2 centiles of distance = 1 standard deviation.
Extreme traits drive extreme results but are harder to modify and less relatable to average people. </principle>
<principle name="l-and-i-exception"> L (Logic) and I (Ingenuity) use absolute values.
- Unlike A, B, C, D, you CAN compare L and I scores directly between people:
- Logic 8 means "High Logic" regardless of arrow position
- Ingenuity 2 means "Low Ingenuity" for anyone
Only these two traits break the "no absolute comparison" rule. </principle>
</essential_principles>
When to Use
- Interpreting Culture Index survey results (individual or team)
- Analyzing CI profiles from PDF or JSON data
- Assessing team composition using Gas/Brake/Glue framework
- Detecting burnout risk by comparing Survey vs Job graphs
- Defining hiring profiles based on CI trait patterns
- Coaching managers on how to work with specific CI profiles
- Predicting CI traits from interview transcripts
- Mediating team conflict using CI profile data
When NOT to Use
- For non-CI behavioral assessments (DISC, Myers-Briggs, StrengthsFinder, Predictive Index, Enneagram)
- For clinical psychological assessments or diagnoses
- As the sole basis for hiring/firing decisions — CI is one data point among many
<input_formats>
JSON (Use if available)
If JSON data is already extracted, use it directly: ```python import json with open("person_name.json") as f: profile = json.load(f) ```
JSON format: ```json { "name": "Person Name", "archetype": "Architect", "survey": { "eu": 21, "arrow": 2.3, "a": [5, 2.7], "b": [0, -2.3], "c": [1, -1.3], "d": [3, 0.7], "logic": [5, null], "ingenuity": [2, null] }, "job": { "..." : "same structure as survey" }, "analysis": { "energy_utilization": 148, "status": "stress" } } ```
Note: Trait values are `[absolute, relative_to_arrow]` tuples. Use the relative value for interpretation.
Check same directory as PDF for matching `.json` file, or ask user if they have extracted JSON.
PDF Input (MUST EXTRACT FIRST)
⚠️ NEVER use visual estimation for trait values. Visual estimation has 20-30% error rate.
- When given a PDF:
- Check if JSON already exists (same directory as PDF, or ask user)
- If not, run extraction with verification:
- ```bash
- uv run {baseDir}/scripts/extract_pdf.py --verify /path/to/file.pdf [output.json]
- ```
- Visually confirm the verification summary matches the PDF
- Use the extracted JSON for interpretation
If uv is not installed: Stop and instruct user to install it (`brew install uv` or `pip install uv`). Do NOT fall back to vision.
PDF Vision (Reference Only)
Vision may be used ONLY to verify extracted values look reasonable, NOT to extract trait scores.
</input_formats>
<intake>
Step 0: Do you have JSON or PDF?
- If JSON provided or found: Use it directly (skip extraction)
- - Check same directory as PDF for `.json` file with matching name
- - Check if user provided JSON path
- If only PDF: Run extraction script with `--verify` flag
- ```bash
- uv run {baseDir}/scripts/extract_pdf.py --verify /path/to/file.pdf [output.json]
- ```
- If extraction fails: Report error, do NOT fall back to vision
Step 1: What data do you have?
- CI Survey JSON → Proceed to Step 2
- CI Survey PDF → Extract first (Step 0), then proceed to Step 2
- Interview transcript only → Go to option 8 (predict traits from interview)
- No data yet → "Please provide Culture Index profile (PDF or JSON) or interview transcript"
Step 2: What would you like to do?
- Profile Analysis:
- Interpret an individual profile - Understand one person's traits, strengths, and challenges
- Analyze team composition - Assess gas/brake/glue balance, identify gaps
- Detect burnout signals - Compare Survey vs Job, flag stress/frustration
- Compare multiple profiles - Understand compatibility, collaboration dynamics
- Get motivator recommendations - Learn how to engage and retain someone
- Hiring & Candidates:
- Define hiring profile - Determine ideal CI traits for a role
- Coach manager on direct report - Adjust management style based on both profiles
- Predict traits from interview - Analyze interview transcript to estimate CI traits
- Interview debrief - Assess candidate fit based on predicted traits
- Team Development:
- Plan onboarding - Design first 90 days based on new hire and team profiles
- Mediate conflict - Understand friction between two people using their profiles
Provide the profile data (JSON or PDF) and select an option, or describe what you need.
</intake>
<routing>
| Response | Workflow | |----------|----------| | "extract", "parse pdf", "convert pdf", "get json from pdf" | `workflows/extract-from-pdf.md` | | 1, "individual", "interpret", "understand", "analyze one", "single profile" | `workflows/interpret-individual.md` | | 2, "team", "composition", "gaps", "balance", "gas brake glue" | `workflows/analyze-team.md` | | 3, "burnout", "stress", "frustration", "survey vs job", "energy", "flight risk" | `workflows/detect-burnout.md` | | 4, "compare", "compatibility", "collaboration", "multiple", "two profiles" | `workflows/compare-profiles.md` | | 5, "motivate", "engage", "retain", "communicate" | Read `references/motivators.md` directly | | 6, "hire", "hiring profile", "role profile", "recruit", "what profile for" | `workflows/define-hiring-profile.md` | | 7, "manage", "coach", "1:1", "direct report", "manager" | `workflows/coach-manager.md` | | 8, "transcript", "interview", "predict traits", "guess", "estimate", "recording" | `workflows/predict-from-interview.md` | | 9, "debrief", "should we hire", "candidate fit", "proceed", "offer" | `workflows/interview-debrief.md` | | 10, "onboard", "new hire", "integrate", "starting", "first 90 days" | `workflows/plan-onboarding.md` | | 11, "conflict", "friction", "mediate", "not working together", "clash" | `workflows/mediate-conflict.md` | | "conversation starters", "how to talk to", "engage with" | Read `references/conversation-starters.md` directly |
After reading the workflow, follow it exactly.
</routing>
<verification_loop>
After every interpretation, verify:
- Did you use relative positions? Never stated "A is 8" without context
- Did you reference the arrow? All trait interpretations relative to arrow
- Did you compare Survey vs Job? Identified any behavior modification
- Did you avoid value judgments? No traits called "good" or "bad"
- Did you check EU? Energy utilization calculated if both graphs present
- Report to user:
- "Interpretation complete"
- Key findings (2-3 bullet points)
- Recommended actions
</verification_loop>
<reference_index>
Domain Knowledge (in `references/`):
- Primary Traits:
- `primary-traits.md` - A (Autonomy), B (Social), C (Pace), D (Conformity)
- Secondary Traits:
- `secondary-traits.md` - EU (Energy Units), L (Logic), I (Ingenuity)
- Patterns:
- `patterns-archetypes.md` - Behavioral patterns, trait combinations, archetypes
- Archetype Deep Profiles (`archetype-*.md`):
- `archetype-administrator.md` - The Administrator (High A, High B, Low C, Mid D)
- `archetype-coordinator.md` - The Coordinator (Low A, High B, Mid C, Low D)
- `archetype-craftsman.md` - The Craftsman (Low A, Low B, High C, High D)
- `archetype-daredevil.md` - The Daredevil (High A, Low B, Low C, Low D)
- `archetype-debater.md` - The Debater (Mid A, Mid-High B, Low C, High D)
- `archetype-facilitator.md` - The Facilitator (Low A, Mid B, Mid C, Low D)
- `archetype-influencer.md` - The Influencer (Low A, High B, Low C, Low D)
- `archetype-operator.md` - The Operator (Low A, Low B, High C, Mid-High D)
- `archetype-persuader.md` - The Persuader (High A, High B, Low C, Low D)
- `archetype-philosopher.md` - The Philosopher (Low A, Low B, High C, Low D)
- `archetype-rainmaker.md` - The Rainmaker (High A, High B, Low C, Low D)
- `archetype-scholar.md` - The Scholar (High A, Low B, Low C, High D)
- `archetype-socializer.md` - The Socializer (Low A, High B, Low C, Low D)
- `archetype-specialist.md` - The Specialist (Low A, Low B, High C, Mid D)
- `archetype-technical-expert.md` - The Technical Expert (Low A, Low B, High C, Low D)
- `archetype-traditionalist.md` - The Traditionalist (Low A, Low B, High C, High D)
- `archetype-trailblazer.md` - The Trailblazer (High A, Mid B, Mid C, Low D)
- Application:
- `motivators.md` - How to motivate each trait type
- `team-composition.md` - Gas, brake, glue framework
- `anti-patterns.md` - Common interpretation mistakes
- `conversation-starters.md` - How to engage each pattern and trait type
- `interview-trait-signals.md` - Signals for predicting traits from interviews
</reference_index>
<workflows_index>
Workflows (in `workflows/`):
| File | Purpose | |------|---------| | `extract-from-pdf.md` | Extract profile data from Culture Index PDF to JSON format | | `interpret-individual.md` | Analyze single profile, identify archetype, summarize strengths/challenges | | `analyze-team.md` | Assess team balance (gas/brake/glue), identify gaps, recommend hires | | `detect-burnout.md` | Compare Survey vs Job, calculate EU utilization, flag risk signals | | `compare-profiles.md` | Compare multiple profiles, assess compatibility, collaboration dynamics | | `define-hiring-profile.md` | Define ideal CI traits for a role, identify acceptable patterns and red flags | | `coach-manager.md` | Help managers adjust their style for specific direct reports | | `predict-from-interview.md` | Analyze interview transcripts to predict CI traits before survey | | `interview-debrief.md` | Assess candidate fit using predicted traits from transcript analysis | | `plan-onboarding.md` | Design first 90 days based on new hire profile and team composition | | `mediate-conflict.md` | Understand and address friction between team members using their profiles |
</workflows_index>
<quick_reference>
Trait Colors: | Trait | Color | Measures | |-------|-------|----------| | A | Maroon | Autonomy, initiative, self-confidence | | B | Yellow | Social ability, need for interaction | | C | Blue | Pace/Patience, urgency level | | D | Green | Conformity, attention to detail | | L | Purple | Logic, emotional processing | | I | Cyan | Ingenuity, inventiveness |
Energy Utilization Formula: ``` Utilization = (Job EU / Survey EU) × 100
70-130% = Healthy >130% = STRESS (burnout risk) <70% = FRUSTRATION (flight risk) ```
Gas/Brake/Glue: | Role | Trait | Function | |------|-------|----------| | Gas | High A | Growth, risk-taking, driving results | | Brake | High D | Quality control, risk aversion, finishing | | Glue | High B | Relationships, morale, culture |
Score Precision: | Value | Precision | Example | |-------|-----------|---------| | Traits (A,B,C,D,L,I) | Integer 0-10 | 0, 1, 2, ... 10 | | Arrow position | Tenths | 0.4, 2.2, 3.8 | | Energy Units (EU) | Integer | 11, 31, 45 |
</quick_reference>
<success_criteria>
- A well-interpreted Culture Index profile:
- Uses relative positions (distance from arrow), never absolute values alone
- Identifies the archetype/pattern correctly
- Highlights 2-3 key strengths based on leading traits
- Notes 2-3 challenges or development areas
- Compares Survey vs Job if both are available
- Provides actionable recommendations
- Avoids value judgments ("good"/"bad")
- Acknowledges Culture Index is one data point, not a complete picture
</success_criteria>
Use Cases
- Interpret Culture Index behavioral assessment results for hiring decisions
- Analyze team composition using Culture Index personality profiles
- Guide management strategies based on individual Culture Index patterns
- Map Culture Index traits to role suitability and team dynamics
- Generate coaching recommendations based on behavioral assessment data
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Expert interpretation adds context that raw assessment scores lack
- +Connects assessment data to practical management and hiring decisions
- +Covers both individual analysis and team composition optimization
Cons
- -Culture Index is a proprietary system — limited without paid assessment access
- -Behavioral assessment interpretation should complement, not replace, human judgment
FAQ
What does Culture Index do?
What platforms support Culture Index?
What are the use cases for Culture Index?
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