The 6 Types of Working Genius

Developed by the Author of The Five Dysfunctions of a Team, Patrick Lencioni and the TableGroup. The Working Genius will help you discover the work that brings you passion and joy and the work that makes you miserable.

We can make our work life more fulfilling simply by seeing each other, interacting and utilizing each other effectively - All through dividing assignments, tasks and projects that align with our Genius'. 

You can gain insight into this simple but game-changing tool by letting me take you through the five whys.

Who

This tool is for individuals and intact teams who want to lean into their Genius' creating an environment that supports strengths and collaboration.

As an individual, if you want to understand more about who you are, what comes naturally, and to stop feeling guilt for the tasks you're "supposed" to do but fail to bring out your best. We don't need to be good at everything - we just need to know who to recruit to fill our working gaps.

Within your team, if you want to recognize the gifts of one another and tailor work when possible, then the Working Genius is for you. This tool can bring a team together to synergize, shifting away from individuals who just work together.

Every job is a 6 letter job, as one cog turns it triggers the next one.

What

The Working Genius assessment is a 20% personality and 80% productivity tool. Although I will focus on this tool through a work application, families, social groups, and marriages can benefit from the Working Genius.

Every project, task, assignment, family vacation, event, you name it, is always a six-letter - Working Genius job. The six letters that correlate to a Genius are W.I.D.G.E.T., which stands for Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement and Tenacity. 

Every job we do requires these six Genius.' All six are equally important. You are capable of all six, but only two bring you true joy and fulfillment, two bring you frustration, and two are within your working competency. More on that soon - first, here are the six Genius' explained.

Wonder

The person who asks why? Is it enough? or is there something more? The person who ponders what is happening and whether a person or project is reaching its full potential. So often criticized for a perceived lack of buy-in due to the non-Wonder's misunderstanding of the intent behind the questions. Make no mistake - Wonder is a Genius when asking critical questions that spark the Invention Genius to solve the right problem. 

Invention

When Wonder asks, "Ever wonder why we never hit the target in this area?" Invention says, "I can solve this problem. I can find a solution". Invention has empathy for the question. Solutions are accessible for the Invention Genius to pull out, especially when Wonder sparks a need for change.

Discernment

Not all inventions are good - here is where the Genius of Discernment comes in. Through intuition and instincts, the Discernment Genius knows how to gather information and come to reasonable solutions and advice. Discernment is not expertise - This Genius can naturally evaluate situations thoroughly and efficiently, even if they are not a topic expert.

Galvanizing

When the job gets to G, this Genius can say, if this project is worth doing, I will rally, organize and inspire people to take action. Now, how incredible is this Genius? This person makes even the mundane tasks look shiny - combined with getting everyone on the same page, the creates the momentum needed to get the team in gear.

Enablement

Normally, the first follower of the Galvanizer, the Enablement Genius, can help with their incredible support to move the project along. This Genius is often selfless, incredibly supportive and underappreciated. As a D/I/G, I am sensitive to finding an E as a partner because I know I'm dead in the water without them. However, this Genius knows how to help and when to help - they are so dynamic and the gateway to Tenacity.

Tenacity

The finisher responding to the need to see a project, task or assignment finished and to achieve the desired results. This Genius gets absolute satisfaction from checking the box, completing the project and saying - this idea is now in the world because Tenacity crossed the finish line. This Genius lands the darn plane, hallelujah. 

After going through all six Genius,' it's indisputable that all are equally important and required to complete something effectively. So the only questions remaining are, which Genius are you? And which Genius' are around you?

Where 

You can learn more here Home | The Six Types of Working Genius

You can work with a certified facilitator like me if you want team training and implementation. Many options are available depending on your needs, such as virtual or in-person, as well as for individual groups or intact teams.

Why 

The working Genius brings more fulfillment, productivity, quality and belonging to the workplace. Through the Working Genius, you can improve team dynamics and collaboration by helping individuals find their working passion and where everyone fits within W.I.D.G.E.T.

The working Genius provides teams with a common language and a better way to manage their dynamics, projects and meetings in a way that actually brings joy and fulfillment to all.

As individuals, we all want to be seen, heard and understood. With this tool, we can recognize, respect and utilize each other to meet our personal needs. Arguably a tool that helps combat some situations that cause burnout, quiet quitting and imposter syndrome. 

How

When a team embraces the Working Genius, they respect and see each other for the Genius they bring to the table and utilize each other's Genius to divvy up the workload.

Then there is Genius Energy.

Working Genius

When working in your Genius, your energy may feel everlasting. Work doesn't feel like work - in fact, it energizes you!

Working Competency

Your energy is not everlasting here, so be mindful of how much time you spend in your Competency. The Working Competency is the danger burnout zone. Tricky because you're good at your Competency, maybe even great, but it's not the work that brings you joy, so when overused, you'll feel overused.

Working Frustrations

All joy and energy is gone when working in these areas. You may even feel guilt or shame regarding your Working Frustration. 

For example, Enablement is my Working Frustration. There was a time when I carried guilt and shame around my lack of patience when I found myself in a situation that required this Genius. How can I be a good leader if I don't have a natural gift to provide encouragement and assist others? But we don't need to be good at everything - when I let myself accept this, I could finally manage it effectively. As a result, I found the Enablement Genius within my team and recruited their help. Now I see it as a relay race - we all play our part and are happy knowing where we connect.

Once I stepped out of the way of my Working Frustration, I provided an opportunity for a Working Genius to step in, creating a win-win scenario.

Michelle Nicole Martin
Leadership Coach & Consultant
Top Small Business Voice on LinkedIn
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