Mapping the Six Working Genius's to DISC

I was recommended this book by a client of mind and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Understanding how people work best is key to team performance and job satisfaction. Patrick Lencioni’s Six Types of Working Genius is a fantastic framework for uncovering how individuals contribute to work projects and so it made sense for me to map it to the tool I have used for over 20 years. Aligning the six types of working genius with their DISC personality styles for improved understanding and communication.

The six types of working genius are: 1? Wonder (W): The genius of asking big, thought-provoking questions to identify possibilities or challenges. Wonder aligns closely with the High C who are curious, analytical, and driven to understand systems. These individuals excel at identifying gaps or improvements but may need other types to drive execution.

2? Invention (I): The genius of creating original ideas and solutions. This often connects to a High D, who are natural problem-solvers, quick to innovate, and unafraid of challenges. Their assertiveness drives new initiatives, making them invaluable in brainstorming or strategy creation.

3 Discernment (D): The genius of evaluating ideas, plans, or solutions and providing sound judgment based on intuition, experience, and context. Those with this genius have a natural ability to "sense" whether something will work or not, even if they can’t always explain why.

In terms of DISC, discernment isn’t limited to one style. It shows up in multiple ways:

• High I will bring emotional intelligence (in terms of DISC) and people-focused judgment. They excel at understanding how an idea will resonate with others or the morale impact of a decision. Their instinct for interpersonal dynamics plays a key role in discernment.
• High C brings analytical and data-driven discernment. They evaluate ideas by rigorously assessing the logic, feasibility, and risks involved. Their keen attention to detail ensures that proposed solutions are both practical and precise.
• High D’s will apply assertive and results-oriented discernment. They quickly gauge the potential success of an idea based on how it aligns with goals and whether it will deliver value efficiently. They’re adept at cutting through ambiguity to focus on outcomes.

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4? Galvanising (G): The genius of rallying people around an idea or initiative. The High I’s shine here, using their charisma and energy to inspire and motivate others to act. They ensure enthusiasm and commitment within the team, even in the face of challenges.

5? Enablement (E): The genius of supporting and assisting others to bring ideas to life, people with a High S-factor, known for their steadiness and empathy, are naturals here. They prioritise relationships and harmony, making them invaluable in creating environments where people feel supported and empowered.

6? Tenacity (T): The genius of seeing projects through to completion with focus and determination. A combination of High C and High S factors excel in this area, ensuring attention to detail, follow-through, persistence and consistency to deliver high-quality outcomes.

Mapping these working geniuses to the DISC framework helps teams leverage strengths, anticipate challenges, and foster collaboration. For instance, a project led by a visionary D inventor may stall without the tenacity of a C finisher or the galvanizing energy of an I motivator. Similarly, a reflective C wonderer may thrive when paired with a proactive D inventor or an enabling S supporter but will need self-awareness and modifying techniques to work and communicate effectively.