FAQ

How do I become an SD Partner?

The SD Partnership is included in the SD Training, regardless of which path you choose. Once completed, you'll be a certified SD Expert and can join as an SD Partner. Have you already completed a similar training program elsewhere? We'll work with you to explore the options for an accelerated entry.
What does SD Partnership involve?

As an SD Partner, you get independent access to our instruments at a reduced rate, along with access to materials, an ongoing education program, and the annual partner day. You can also count on active support for your projects. Starting in the second year, a small partner fee applies — one you'll easily earn back through the discounted pricing on our instruments.
Is an SD Partnership mandatory?

Not at all. Our instruments are also available without a partnership, though pricing is slightly higher and access to our services is not included. If you use our instruments regularly, an SD Partnership quickly pays for itself. We're happy to help you make the best choice.
What obligations do I have as an SD Partner?

Beyond the standard contract terms, there are no obligations. No minimum purchase, no mandatory training or meetings — you simply buy what you need.
How do I terminate the SD Partnership?

From the second year onward, the partnership runs on a calendar year basis and can easily be canceled by email before the renewal date.
A completely different question: how did you come into existence, actually?

Since the early 2000s, we have been conducting independent research and developing our own Graves-based instruments. In 2005, we launched as an autonomous organization under the name WaardenManagement — with no ties to other parties, operating entirely on our own strength. In 2020, we transformed into Spiral Drives, a name that better reflects who we are. With that transformation, we introduced the Collective drivesDNA™ and our 3-layer approach, which has since become our most distinctive feature.
And how do you keep the SD Partnership up to date?

We never stand still. New instruments, deeper insights, and practical tools — we keep developing, driven by our vision and the needs of our SD Experts. The introduction of the Collective drivesDNA™, our 3-layer approach, and our specialization instruments are examples of that. As an SD Partner, you grow right along with us.

How do I become an SD Expert?

To become an SD Expert, you complete an SD Training. It covers everything you need to get started right away — independently or within your organization — including the theory of Prof. Clare W. Graves and the practical application of the drivesDNA at the individual or collective level.
What are the admission requirements?

Our instruments are development-oriented and require demonstrable knowledge and experience in guidance and coaching. We teach you how to work with our instruments as an addition to your existing expertise as a coach, counselor, career advisor, trainer, or consultant.
How can I work on all 3 layers?

Simply add our compact modules for the missing layers to your training — efficient and without overlap, straight to your goal.
And what if I have already been trained elsewhere?

Trained elsewhere? After a short lateral entry program, you can get started right away. For the Collective drivesDNA™ and our specialization instruments, an additional module is usually required, tailored to your existing knowledge.

What does your Individual drivesDNA™️ encompass?

The Individual drivesDNA™ is our core instrument and measures drive preferences using an ipsative method — comparable to other providers. It serves as the starting point for development processes and covers all measeable drives from purple through turquoise. The report includes standard charts and a personal narrative, generated from a knowledge system with over 500,000 interpretation possibilities built from years of experience.
Does your Team drivesDNA™ use a separate questionnaire?

The Team drivesDNA™ brings together the individual drivesDNA's of team members into one clear overview. In addition to the average, a distribution chart reveals where team members reinforce each other and where potential tensions may arise — valuable insights for team dynamics. Important to note: an average of individual scores says nothing about the culture of a group as a whole. For that, the Collective drivesDNA™ is the appropriate instrument.
What makes your Collective drivesDNA™️ so unique?

What makes the Collective drivesDNA™ unique is that it directly measures the shared culture and energy of a team or organization — not as a sum of individuals, but as an independent collective layer. Only in this way can you get a reliable picture of the deepest undercurrent that characterizes a group. The measurement method deliberately differs from the Individual and Team drivesDNA™. Rather than measuring preferences, we measure the absolute presence of all seven cultural elements, down to a detailed level — making it clear exactly where the emphasis lies within the prevailing culture. The Collective drivesDNA™ is primarily a tool for process-oriented work, with mutual dialogue and development toward a desired culture and energy at its core.
Why do you have a separate specialization instruments?

Spiral Drives believes that genuine personal growth requires deep insight. That is why, in addition to the core instruments, specialization instruments have been developed that go beyond preferences alone. They reveal how deeply drives are rooted in the personality, combining this with personal characteristics and stages of change. This gives coaches and counselors a complete and nuanced picture to guide their clients more effectively.
What are other characteristics of your instruments?

Three characteristics that set Spiral Drives apart: 1) complete and integral — a cohesive offering across all three levels: collective, team, and individual. 2) inclusive — all drives from Graves' model are included, including beige and turquoise. 3) personal and professional — comprehensive individual reports, custom-generated by our knowledge system and professionally printed through our Printing On Demand Service.

What sets the Spiral Drives apart from other suppliers?

The most honest answer comes from our SD Experts — and we're happy to connect you with them. What we often hear: our personal approach, fair pricing, drive for innovation, comprehensive product range, and focus on nuance rather than simplistic interpretations.
In what ways do your instruments align with other suppliers?

The starting point for all providers is the research of Professor Clare W. Graves, supplemented by the color coding introduced by Don Beck and Chris Cowan, authors of the book Spiral Dynamics. From this shared foundation, all providers use the ipsative measurement method in their individual and team-based assessments. As a result, they not only measure the same thing, but also in the same way — making their approaches largely comparable and interchangeable, particularly at the individual level.
How do your rates compare to those of other suppliers?

We deliberately keep our pricing low for products of the highest professional standard. No external investors, no bank loans, no expensive lease cars or office spaces — we are a solid company that attracts clients through word of mouth. We don't believe in costly marketing campaigns, but we do believe in a fair and honest offering: first-class products and outstanding service at reasonable prices. Modular, so you always pay only for what you need.

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