The 6 working genius types
The 6 Types of Working Genius is Patrick Lencioni’s newest teamwork model, which helps people understand how they can contribute to work most effectively. This tool can help individuals, leaders and teams better leverage one another’s strengths and understand how to be both productive and fulfilled at work
Model Overview
We love the simplicity of the Working Genius. Listen to Pat share why the model is unique and what each genius brings to the table.
When we understand our colleagues’ Working Geniuses, we can more accurately attribute their challenges to the root cause and, as leaders, to place them in more appropriate roles . And even if there are no such roles, this knowledge provides leaders with the opportunity to let them go with dignity and clarity, along with a better understanding of what role or job might be a better fit.
3 Stages of Work
There are three basic stages of work that apply to any successful endeavor. Each involves two of the Working Geniuses, one responsive Genius, and one disruptive Genius
Responsive vs disruptive
Responsive Geniuses react to the world around them, the environment within an organization, or to the promptings and needs of colleagues.
Disruptive Geniuses react to the world around them, the environment within an organization, or to the promptings and needs of colleagues.
Individual profiles
Working Genius | Working Competency | Working Frustration
Guilt
Many people attribute their failures and struggles to having a bad attitude, not being smart enough, or making bad decisions.
When people realize they have certain areas of Genius, and other areas of Frustration, they can attribute their struggles to the lack of alignment between their Geniuses and their roles. This reduces their sense of guilt and shame, allowing them to move into work that provides a better chance of fulfillment and success.
Judgment
People who don’t understand the Working Geniuses of others (as well as their Frustrations) will inevitably find themselves judging their colleagues’ performance and behavior. They will likely come to the erroneous conclusion that their teammates or collaborators aren’t trying hard enough, aren’t smart enough, or need to be let go. This can make others feel misunderstood, judged, and rejected.
Work with a facilitator
Working with a Certified Facilitator can transform work for people by helping them:
- Understand why they have been successful or unsuccessful in past endeavors
- Clarify which types of work give joy and energy and which types are draining and difficult
- Avoid making unfair and inaccurate judgments about one another’s motivation
- Alleviate guilt about struggles people have with certain types of work
- Improve dialogue and directives in team meetings
- Make quick and concrete adjustments to roles and responsibilities to better tap into one another’s strengths, and avoid one another’s weaknesses
- Get more done in less time