Discover The Six Types Of Working Genius

The “Six Types of Working Genius” concept is a model developed by Patrick Lencioni, a renowned business consultant and author.

This model is designed to help individuals and teams in organizations understand their unique areas of talent, thereby improving productivity, collaboration, and job satisfaction.

The six types of working genius are Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity (WIDGET).

Background Overview of the Six Types of Working Genius

1. Wonder is the natural ability to recognize and appreciate the need for change or improvement in a given situation.
2. Invention is the talent for creating original and novel ideas or solutions to address identified needs.
3. Discernment is the capacity to evaluate, make decisions, or judge ideas or solutions critically and intuitively to determine their viability.
4. Galvanizing is the ability to rally and inspire others to take action on an idea or solution.
5. Enablement is the talent for encouraging and assisting others in executing an idea or solution.
6. Tenacity: This is the drive to ensure the completion and success of a project or solution.

Exploration and Discussion of the Six Types of Working Genius

1. Wonder: Individuals with this genius are often the catalysts for organizational change. They have a keen sense for identifying areas that need improvement. For example, a team member might notice a gap in the company’s customer service process and suggest a review.
2. Invention: Inventors are idea generators. They thrive on creating novel solutions to problems. For instance, a product developer might develop a new feature that significantly enhances user experience.
3. Discernment: Discerners have a knack for evaluating ideas and identifying potential pitfalls. They can intuitively judge the feasibility of a new product line or the possible impact of a marketing strategy.
4. Galvanizing: Galvanizers are the motivators. They can rally a team behind a project and drive them toward action. A project manager, for example, might inspire their team to meet a challenging deadline.
5. Enablement: Enablers are the supporters. They provide the necessary assistance to others to ensure the successful execution of a project. An HR manager, for instance, might facilitate training programs to equip employees with the necessary skills.
6. Tenacity: Tenacious individuals are the finishers. They ensure that projects are completed and goals are achieved. A salesperson, for instance, might persistently follow up with potential clients until a deal is closed.

Features and Benefits of the Six Types of Working Genius

Understanding the six types of working genius can offer numerous benefits:

1. Improved Teamwork: By understanding each team member’s genius, teams can work more cohesively and efficiently.
2. Increased Job Satisfaction: Individuals can align their roles with their genius, leading to increased job design and satisfaction.
3. Enhanced Productivity: By leveraging each person’s genius, companies can boost overall productivity.
4. Reduced Conflict: Understanding and appreciating the different geniuses can reduce team misunderstandings and conflicts.

Challenges with the Six Types of Working Genius

While the assessment model offers numerous benefits, it also presents some challenges:

1. Misunderstanding and Misuse: Misunderstanding one’s genius or misusing it can lead to conflicts.
2. Over-reliance: Over-reliance on one’s genius can lead to neglect of other essential skills.
3. Imbalance: A team with an imbalance of geniuses may struggle with specific tasks.

Eight Ways to Use an Awareness of the Six Types of Working Genius in Business

1. Team Building: Use the model to create balanced teams.
2. Recruitment: Use it to recruit individuals with the necessary genius for specific roles.
3. Conflict Resolution: Use it to understand and resolve conflicts.
4. Career Development: Use it to guide career development plans and understand your personality.
5. Leadership Development: Use it to develop effective leadership styles.
6. Project Management: Use it to assign tasks based on individuals’ genius.
7. Performance Evaluation: Use it to evaluate performance more holistically.
8. Organizational Culture: Use it to foster a culture of understanding and appreciation.

Eight Steps to Get Started with Using an Awareness of the Six Types of Working Genius

1. Understand the Model: Familiarize yourself with the six types of working genius.
2. Identify Your Genius: Use assessments to identify your genius.
3. Share Your Genius: Share your genius with your team.
4. Identify Team Genius: Identify the genius of each team member.
5. Discuss the Implications: Discuss how each genius impacts your work.
6. Align Roles with Genius: Align roles and tasks with each person’s genius.
7. Monitor and Adjust: Monitor the process and make necessary adjustments.
8. Celebrate Success: Celebrate the success and improvements this new understanding brings.

Conclusion

The “Six Types of Working Genius” model is a powerful assessment tool for enhancing company teamwork and productivity.

Companies can foster a more collaborative, efficient, and satisfying work environment by understanding and leveraging each individual’s unique genius.

However, it’s crucial to remember that while this model can guide us, it doesn’t define us entirely.

We are all capable of working outside our genius when necessary.

If you’re interested, you can complete an online assessment to determine which type of working genius you are. The assessment takes 10 minutes to complete. We do not receive any form of payment for completing this assessment. www.WorkingGenius.com.

Catherine Fitzgerald B.A. M.A. PGDip( Founder )

With 30+ years of training experience, I founded Oak Innovation (oakinnovation.com) in 1995. I help busy training professionals and business managers deliver better training courses in less time by giving them instant access to editable training course material. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Cork. I hold qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. Clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.