In this book, Patrick Lencioni introduces a framework that categorizes individuals into six types of working geniuses: Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity. These geniuses are aligned with different stages of work—ideation, activation, and implementation—and highlight the importance of recognizing and leveraging individual strengths to enhance productivity and job satisfaction. Lencioni argues that when people work within their natural talents, they experience greater fulfillment and success, and teams become more effective and collaborative. The book also emphasizes the need to design roles around individuals’ working geniuses rather than traditional task-based job descriptions.
This book explores the fundamental causes of team failure and organizational politics through a narrative about a fictional company, DecisionTech, Inc. It outlines five dysfunctions: absence of trust, fear of conflict, lack of commitment, avoidance of accountability, and inattention to results. The book provides practical advice and real-world examples to help teams overcome these dysfunctions and become high-performing teams.
How does humility enhance the application of your Working Geniuses in both personal and professional settings?
Humility is the secret ingredient that elevates teamwork, leadership, and productivity. In this episode, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore how humility acts as a booster within the Working Genius framework. They also discuss why embracing humility allows you to work more effectively within your strengths while also building stronger, more cohesive teams.
Topics explored in this episode:
(03:03) What is Humility?
*Humility enhances an individual’s ability to utilize their natural talents.
(11:05) Why Humility Matters
*Leaders who embrace humility build stronger, more resilient teams.
(15:48) Humility as a Booster
*How humility acts as an accelerant to strengths and gifts—even outside your genius zone.
(21:01) Team Collaboration
*Teams with humility communicate more openly and work through challenges effectively.
(22:30) Recognizing the Absence of Humility
*A lack of humility leads to dysfunction and conflict within teams.
(24:06) Cultivating Humility
*Why most people welcome the awareness of their weaknesses—and how to embrace that mindset.
This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group. 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.
Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.
Follow Pat Lencioni on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Connect with Cody Thompson on LinkedIn.
Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts, Spotfy, and YouTube.
Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com.
This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni 
