The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni
Patrick Lencioni
What is your Working Genius? The Working Genius podcast is designed to help people identify their natural gifts and find joy and fulfillment in their work and life.
Leadership and teamwork expert Patrick Lencioni and his team explore the Working Genius model and provide practical advice for applying this framework individually, at our jobs and in our homes. What type of work makes you thrive? Are you burning out because your job requires you to work in your areas of frustration? How can teams and families better tap into one another’s gifts? This podcast answers all these questions and more.
Leadership and teamwork expert Patrick Lencioni and his team explore the Working Genius model and provide practical advice for applying this framework individually, at our jobs and in our homes. What type of work makes you thrive? Are you burning out because your job requires you to work in your areas of frustration? How can teams and families better tap into one another’s gifts? This podcast answers all these questions and more.
Episodes
Mentioned books
35 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 27min
97. The Impact of Your Environment
Explore how your work and home environment can skew perceptions of your talents. Discover stories from a Marine and a priest who misidentified their strengths due to cultural pressures. The hosts emphasize the importance of answering assessments based on joy rather than roles. They dive into the often-overlooked genius of 'wonder' and discuss how structured settings suppress true potential. Ultimately, clarity in your talents leads to newfound freedom and improved teamwork.
53 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 20min
96. The Key to Confidence
Explore the unique relationship between confidence and self-awareness. Discover how admitting weaknesses can actually highlight your true strengths. The Working Genius framework offers valuable language for identifying and celebrating your gifts. Learn why humility goes hand in hand with authentic confidence, and how nurturing this in the next generation can ignite their potential. Tune in for insights that redefine what it means to be truly confident!
32 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 17min
95. Beyond the Coffee Cups
This discussion creatively unpacks work experiences using analogies like coffee cups, batteries, and bicycles. The hosts explore how these metaphors illuminate the joy and frustration in various tasks. With energy comparisons to electric bikes, they reveal how personal preferences shape our engagement. They also emphasize the significance of aligning individual interests with work for greater fulfillment. By analyzing chores and meal preferences, the conversation highlights the intricate relationship between genius and personal likes.
85 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 27min
94. The Decision Line with Krista Kotrla
Krista Kotrla, a consultant with The Table Group, specializes in transforming healthy conflict into clear commitments for leaders. In this conversation, she breaks down the 'decision line' concept, emphasizing how clarity trumps certainty in decision-making. Krista shares practical tools like end-of-meeting discipline and highlights the importance of decisiveness in leadership. They discuss real-world applications of these concepts and how storytelling can enhance team alignment and execution, making decisions more effective and engaging.
48 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 21min
93. Galvanizing is the Most Disruptive Genius
Galvanizing is a uniquely disruptive genius that inspires action and change within teams. The hosts discuss how this talent cannot thrive in isolation, influencing others directly. They share real-life examples, showcasing how even unpopular actions can lead to positive outcomes when driven by galvanizers. Listeners learn how combining galvanizing with other genius types boosts team momentum and the importance of recognizing this ability to foster a thriving organizational culture. Misunderstandings around galvanizing are clarified, highlighting its true power.
28 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 16min
92. Easy For You to Say
Ever called something 'easy' without considering others' struggles? This discussion dives into the mischief of labeling tasks, exploring how it can discourage those who find them challenging. Discover how working within your genius can lead to fulfillment, while also recognizing individual strengths. Personal stories reveal the balance between skill mastery and joy in work, emphasizing the importance of valuing diverse talents. Ultimately, embracing our differences can foster a more supportive environment for everyone.
23 snips
Jul 15, 2025 • 23min
91. It's an E Thing
Dive into the fascinating world of Enablement and its critical role in team dynamics. Discover how it differs from mere people-pleasing and learn why it’s essential for collaboration. With insights from Tracy Noble, explore the balance between offering support and maintaining decisive leadership. Hear personal anecdotes that highlight how Enablement energizes relationships and fosters creativity. Unpack the importance of discernment in navigating this nuanced trait for optimal team cohesion.
29 snips
Jul 1, 2025 • 21min
90. Uppercase vs. Lowercase Genius
Explore how understanding the difference between uppercase and lowercase genius can boost your contributions at work. The hosts delve into applying your strengths in diverse contexts, enhancing team dynamics through self-awareness. They discuss maintaining focus on collective goals and the balance of contributions within teams. Discover how everyday tasks can inspire creativity and joy in your work, leading to more fulfilling collaborations. A shared language around these concepts fosters trust and intentional teamwork.
51 snips
Jun 17, 2025 • 27min
89. Understanding vs. Judging: Averting the Fundamental Attribution Error
Explore the intriguing dynamics of the Fundamental Attribution Error and how it skews our perceptions of others’ actions. Discover how different Working Genius traits can lead to misunderstandings in the workplace and at home. Patrick and Cody shed light on how Wonderers, Inventors, Discerners, Galvanizers, Enablers, and Tenacious individuals might be misjudged. They emphasize the importance of empathy, understanding, and constructive feedback to foster collaboration and strengthen relationships.
43 snips
Jun 3, 2025 • 30min
88. MBTI Is the Noun, Working Genius Is the Verb
Explore the intriguing relationship between the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Six Types of Working Genius. Discover how MBTI reveals your personality 'noun,' while Working Genius highlights your action-oriented 'verb.' Delve into real examples showcasing how different geniuses can emerge, even among those who share the same MBTI type. Unpack the nuances of personality dimensions affecting communication and decision-making, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness for better team dynamics and collaboration.
