Your Genius At Work
Have you ever been surprised by a compliment because what you had just done seemed like no big deal?
Or maybe you knew you were “in the zone” and you felt a little shy about the compliment because doing that thing never really feels like work. It feels like what you were born to do.
On the flip side, what about those things you hate doing. The ones that you procrastinate on no matter how many days they start on the top of your to-do list.
True confession…at one point I had a folder on my desk where I stashed unpleasant tasks for another day. Eventually, I started calling it the “miracle folder” because it seemed by the time I opened it the deadline had passed or I had miraculously found someone else to do the work I dreaded.
What I’ve come to realize is that we all feel this way. Everyone has work that is easy and fulfilling and work that we are slower and worse at than others.
We just haven’t had a common language to make it all make sense until I discovered…The Six Types of Working GeniusI
The Six Types of Working Genius
Developed by business owner and author Patrick Lencioni, The Six Types of Working Genius helps us understand why certain work feels natural and fulfilling—while other work frustrates and exhausts us.
It helps you better understand and seek out the type of work that lights you up, and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure.
The bottom line?
Knowing your Zone(s) of Genius can help you become more self-aware, more productive, and MORE SUCCESSFUL.
Your working Genius is determined by taking a short assessment. There are other valuable assessments out there,
Gallup’s Strengths Finder and Enneagram fans, I’m talking to you! There is one BIG difference.
Rather than identifying personality type, the Six Types of Working Genius is an assessment focused on how work gets completed.
There are 6 types of Working Genius And You Have 2!
It takes all 6 Types of Working Genius to take a project from an idea that something could be better to making it so. Here they are in order of how work is completed.
1 – Wonder — Pondering the possibilities.
The dreamer who asks, “Why isn’t this better?” or “What if?”. Their curiosity is the spark for invention.
2 – Invention — Creating original and novel solutions.
The “we could do this or this or that” contributor who is bursting with a million ideas for how something could be better.
3 – Discernment — Instinctively evaluating ideas & solutions.
A listener and dot connector who trusts their gut and confidently points us in the right direction.
4 – Galvanizing — Rallying and inspiring others to take action.
The framer of the solution who leads the charge and keeps passion for the project high.
5 – Enablement – Providing encouragement & assistance.
The one who naturally anticipates needs and constantly surprises us with what is needed at the right moment.
6 – Tenacity – Pushing projects to completion.
The people who get it done! Checklists and finish lines are their nirvana.
When looking at this list, are you able to tell which ones resonate with you? Or which types are your…
- 2 areas of competence – things you do well but eventually drain your battery
- 2 frustrations – the things you avoid.
Why I Use it — and Why My Clients Love It!
It’s fast. The assessment takes only 10 minutes.
It’s simple. There are only 6 types of genius to understand.
It’s actionable. The insights are clear and actionable, helping teams work more efficiently.
It’s easy to identify with the results. After taking the assessment myself, I finally understood why a problem-solving session lights me up and why organizing brings me peace. I have a natural genius in Galvanizing and Enablement.
On the flip side, my lack of joy in completing the last 20% of a project and my impatience with too many possibilities speaks to my frustration in Tenacity & Wonder.
The Power of Knowing Each Other’s Strengths
Imagine a team where every type of genius is represented and roles are aligned with the skills each person naturally brings to the table.
The results?
More energy.
Higher efficiency.
And better collaboration.
Oh my!
The reverse is also true. If someone’s working in a role that drains them or doesn’t align with their genius, productivity tanks. Frustration builds. And good people start looking for the exit.
You can now avoid this trap.
I’ve worked in teams where we celebrated each other’s strengths. The difference it makes is huge — both in terms of empathy and collaboration.
But here’s the thing.
Knowing we’re all unique is one thing. Having a common language to talk about it? That’s a game changer.
The possibilities for positive impact are big!
Knowing how you and your team members complete work can close communication gaps, expand your team’s potential, and help your business grow with greater ease.
You’re a genius.
Now let’s narrow down in what,
Laurie
