How Columinity Is (Not) A Scary Product

Halloween was only a few weeks ago, but I already have a great idea for next year: I’m going as Columinity. Not sure what the costume will look like yet, but I’m confident it’ll scare the sh*t out of people. 😱

Apparently, for some (not all), Columinity already does that. It’s seen as a bit… scary. Why? I can only guess. 🤷‍♂️

Maybe it has something to do with…

😱 It creates transparency
Transparency can feel like exposure. When everything becomes visible, people start worrying about being judged rather than understood. It pushes comfort zones; those vague impressions and hidden problems suddenly have data behind them.

😱 It uses data
Data can be intimidating. It replaces gut feeling with evidence, which means opinions suddenly have to share the stage with facts. For some, that feels like losing control, especially when the numbers challenge long-held beliefs or comfortable assumptions.

😱 It is based on science
Science sounds safe until it challenges what we think we know. It’s harder to dismiss insights when they’re backed by research instead of personal opinion. For some, that feels unsettling, as if the rules of experience and intuition no longer apply.

😱 It triggers change
Change is rarely comfortable. Once insights appear, they call for action, follow-up, accountability, and sometimes challenging conversations. It’s easier to stay in analysis mode than to actually do something about what we’ve learned.

😱 It’s a software product
Software can raise eyebrows before anyone even sees what it does. Words like data, questionnaires, or measurements instantly set off alarms in security, legal, and compliance teams. It’s almost as if the product itself is guilty until proven innocent.

😱 It’s called Columinity
And yes, this one I totally get, pronouncing Columinity can be scary. Especially done publicly in front of a large group. If it helps, think co-luminity. You know, like bringing light together, continuously (infinity).

Closing thoughts

Luckily, there are plenty of courageous people out there willing to give it a try. Some never found it scary at all. Others did, at least at first, but faced their doubts and discovered there was nothing to fear.

Yes, all of the above are true: it creates transparency, uses data, is based on science, and triggers change and actionable improvements.

But that’s precisely why the real scary stuff inside organizations, the hidden tensions, unclear expectations, and unspoken issues, finally get addressed and improved.

👉 What part of Columinity feels a bit scary, either for you or people around you? No judgment, it’s good input for us too.