The Problem With Claiming a Genius You Don't Have

What happens when we misunderstand or mistype someone’s Working Genius? Also, what changes when we finally understand the true genius behind someone’s behavior?

In episode 100 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody explore why an incorrectly identified Working Genius can create frustration, friction, and confusion among teammates. They also dive into factors that often lead to mistyping, and how understanding true genius unlocks better collaboration and more joy. 

Topics explored in this episode: 

(03:00) When the Wrong Genius Causes Friction

* How teams can inadvertently push people into the wrong types of work.

* Metaphors—like ice cream and lactose intolerance—to illustrate the mismatch.

(06:25) The Nuances Behind Misinterpreting Behaviors

* Examples of people misinterpreting public speaking as galvanizing.

* How different geniuses can look similar on the surface but feel different internally.

(09:22) Why Some Geniuses Are Commonly Mistyped

* Why Wonder and Enablement are often misunderstood.

* How environment and personal bias influence self-typing.

(13:39) Consequences of Selling the Wrong Genius

* Why advertising a genius you don’t have creates false expectations.

* The importance of accurate self-awareness.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. 

The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about 

Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube). 

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. 

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). 

Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. 

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.