The Working Genius workshop is a powerful tool for enhancing productivity, collaboration, and fulfillment in both teams and individuals. In this engaging and interactive workshop, participants will explore the six types of Working Genius to discover the work that brings them passion and joy, leading to increased energy and effectiveness in their professional lives.
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, the Working Genius can help. We don't need to be good at everything - we just need to know who to recruit to fill our working gaps.
For teams, 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 simply work together to a cohesive unit that leverages each other's strengths.
The Working Genius assessment is a tool that focuses 20% on personality and 80% on productivity. While I will focus on this tool's work applications, families, social groups, and even marriages can benefit from the Working Genius.
Every project, task, assignment, family vacation, or event is always a six-part Working Genius job. The six parts correlate to a Genius: W.I.D.G.E.T., which stands for Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement and Tenacity.
Every job we do requires these six Geniuses, and 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, let's explore the six Geniuses in detail.
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.
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.
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.
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 G creates the momentum needed to get the team in gear.
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.
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?
Right Here, with me, Michelle Nicole Martin, check out my Leadership Development Workshops.
To learn more about how the Working Genius workshop can benefit your team or individual work life, book a discovery session with me today!
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.
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.
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, Tenacity is my Working Frustration. There was a time when I carried guilt and shame around the feedback "You start more projects than you finish." This made me feel like I was falling short as a leader. How could I be effective if I didn't have a natural drive to see things through to completion? But then I realized that we don't need to be good at everything - what matters is understanding our strengths and learning to manage our weaknesses effectively.
Once I accepted this, I was able to find a solution. I discovered that there were people on my team who had Tenacity as their Working Genius. By recruiting their help and delegating the task of finishing some of the great ideas I had started, we were able to achieve much more together than I could have alone.
Now, I see it as a relay race - each team member plays a crucial role, and we all work together towards a common goal. By focusing on our individual Geniuses and supporting each other in our Frustrations, we create a harmonious and productive work environment where everyone feels valued and fulfilled.
The Working Genius is a powerful tool for unlocking passion and productivity in both individuals and teams. By understanding the six types of Genius and how they contribute to the overall success of a project, you can create a more fulfilling and effective work environment. Ready to discover your Working Genius and transform your team's dynamics?
Book a discovery session with me today to learn more about how a Working Genius workshop can benefit you and your organization.
Michelle Nicole Martin
Leadership Coach & Consultant
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