The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

98. Honoring Working Frustrations

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Oct 21, 2025

Explore the importance of honoring working frustrations and the hidden burnout that arises from competence without joy. The discussion emphasizes that recognizing what drains energy is a sign of respect. Hear about a team reorganization aimed at aligning roles with individual genius types. The hosts unveil the balance between short-term efficiency and long-term effectiveness. Practical steps to match tasks with people's strengths are shared, alongside lessons learned from personal burnout experiences.

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ANECDOTE

Tracy's Podcast Burnout

Patrick and Cody describe asking Tracy to appear on the podcast even though she hates it and masks that with competence.
Over time the repeated drain became obvious and prompted a reorganization to protect her energy.

INSIGHT

Skill Isn't The Same As Joy

Competence and joy are distinct; being good at something doesn't mean it doesn't cost you.
Confusing skill with fulfillment can drive people toward burnout over time.

ADVICE

Reorganize To Protect Energy

Do reorganize roles to match people's Working Genius and reduce chronic drains.
Praise teammates for temporary sacrifices but avoid leaving them in draining roles long-term.

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How can you genuinely honor someone's working frustrations, beyond just being aware of them?

In episode 98 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick and Cody explore the idea of honoring working frustrations—the tasks that drain energy, even when you’re good at them. Using team member Tracy Noble as a case study, they discuss how competence without joy leads to burnout and how leaders can reorganize work to restore energy and dignity.

Topics explored in this episode:

(01:00) The Cost of Competence

* The danger of confusing skill with joy and how it drains energy over time.

(03:20) Understanding What Drains Us

* How some people excel at things they dislike, leading to burnout.

* Recognizing frustration is an act of respect, not weakness.

(06:00) Team Reorganization

* How team roles at The Table Group were restructured to align with genius types.

(09:00) Redefining Productivity and Human Dignity

* How long-term effectiveness outweighs short-term efficiency.

* Honoring frustrations is essential to dignity and joy in work.

(13:20) Applying Working Genius to Real Roles

* Cody shares practical ways to match people’s genius with job requirements.

* Pat reflects on his own burnout and how awareness of frustration fosters empathy.

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.