People of Product 166: Good at It Doesn't Mean Energized by It (ft. Nathan Ott)
Jan 15, 2026
Nathan Ott, co-creator of the GC Index and expert in team dynamics, breaks down how understanding energy can transform workplaces. He defines the GC Index as a tool measuring how people find energy in their roles. Discover the five energizing roles—game changer, strategist, implementer, polisher, and playmaker—and their impact on team collaboration. Nathan shares insights on aligning team members based on energy rather than availability. He also explores how the Index can guide individuals during career transitions and in an AI-driven world.
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Energy, Not Personality
- The GC Index measures how people are energized to contribute, not personality or skills.
- It maps five proclivities (ideas, structure, delivery, polish, people) to show where impact comes from.
Child’s Simple Summary Proved The Model
- Nathan's 10-year-old summarized the GC Index with simple roles like cool ideas, making sense, and getting stuff done.
- That moment inspired the Young People Index and proved the model's accessibility.
Staff For The Work, Not Availability
- Build teams around the activities you need, then place people who are energized by those activities.
- Use GC Index data to match proclivity to roles like implementer or polisher for better outcomes.