Understanding The 6 Types of Working Genius for Career Development

Are you looking for a way to improve your career development? While there are many strategies to try, reading a great book can be a helpful starting point. One book that promises a lot of value is The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick M. Lencioni. In this post, we'll go over the key takeaways from the book that can help you identify your strengths at work, overcome obstacles, and achieve success. Let's dive in!

Type 1: The Wonder Geniuses

The first type of genius identified by Lencioni is the "Wonder" genius. These individuals are the ones who love to ask big questions and think creatively. They are the ones who are always exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Wonder geniuses are essential for any organization that wants to stay innovative and ahead of the curve.

One of the key strengths of wonder geniuses is their ability to see things from a fresh perspective. They are not bound by convention and are not afraid to challenge the status quo. This makes them great problem solvers and idea generators. Wonder geniuses are the ones who can come up with the breakthrough ideas that transform an industry.

However, wonder geniuses can also be a challenge to manage. They can be easily distracted by new ideas and can struggle to focus on one project for an extended period. It's important to give them the freedom to explore new ideas while also providing them with enough structure to stay on track.

Type 2: The Invention Geniuses

The second type of genius identified by Lencioni is the "Invention" genius. These individuals are the ones who excel at creating new things. They are the ones who can take an idea and turn it into a tangible product or service. Invention geniuses are essential for any organization that wants to stay competitive and stay ahead of the curve.

One of the key strengths of invention geniuses is their ability to take complex ideas and break them down into manageable pieces. They are able to see the big picture while also paying attention to the details. This makes them great project managers and team leaders.

However, invention geniuses can also struggle with perfectionism. They can get so caught up in the details that they lose sight of the bigger picture. It's important to give them the freedom to create while also providing them with enough structure to stay on track.

Type 3: The Discernment Geniuses

The third type of genius identified by Lencioni is the "Discernment" genius. These individuals are the ones who are great at making decisions. They are the ones who can weigh the pros and cons of different options and make the best choice for the organization. Discernment geniuses are essential for any organization that wants to make smart, strategic decisions.

One of the key strengths of discernment geniuses is their ability to see things objectively. They are not swayed by personal biases or emotions. This makes them great problem solvers and decision-makers. Discernment geniuses are the ones who can see through the noise and make the best choice for the organization.

However, discernment geniuses can also struggle with indecision. They can get so caught up in weighing the options that they struggle to make a decision. It's important to give them the information they need to make a decision while also providing them with enough space to think.

Type 4: The Galvanizing Geniuses

The fourth type of genius identified by Lencioni is the "Galvanizing" genius. These individuals are the ones who are great at rallying people around a common cause. They are the ones who can inspire and motivate others to achieve great things. Galvanizing geniuses are essential for any organization that wants to build a strong, cohesive team.

One of the key strengths of galvanizing geniuses is their ability to connect with people on an emotional level. They are great communicators and are able to inspire others to action. Galvanizing geniuses are the ones who can create a sense of purpose and belonging within an organization.

However, galvanizing geniuses can also struggle with being too focused on the big picture. They can overlook the details that are necessary for achieving success. It's important to give them the freedom to inspire while also providing them with enough structure to stay on track.

Type 5: The Enablement Geniuses

The fifth type of genius identified by Lencioni is the "Enablement" genius. These individuals are the ones who are great at helping others succeed. They are the ones who can identify the strengths of others and help them reach their full potential. Enablement geniuses are essential for any organization that wants to build a strong, supportive culture.

One of the key strengths of enablement geniuses is their ability to see the potential in others. They are great mentors and coaches and are able to help others grow and develop. Enablement geniuses are the ones who can create a culture of learning and growth within an organization.

However, enablement geniuses can also struggle with being too focused on others. They can neglect their own needs and goals. It's important to give them the support they need to succeed while also encouraging them to continue to help others.

Type 6: The Tenacity Geniuses

The sixth and final type of genius identified by Lencioni is the "Tenacity" genius. These individuals are the ones who are great at seeing things through to completion. They are the ones who can persevere through challenges and obstacles to achieve their goals. Tenacity geniuses are essential for any organization that wants to achieve great things.

One of the key strengths of tenacity geniuses is their ability to stay focused on their goals. They are not easily deterred by setbacks or failures. This makes them great project managers and team leaders. Tenacity geniuses are the ones who can see a project through to completion, no matter what obstacles arise.

However, tenacity geniuses can also struggle with being too focused on the end result. They can overlook the importance of the process and the journey. It's important to give them the support they need to achieve their goals while also encouraging them to enjoy the journey along the way.

Identifying Your Working Genius

Now that we've explored the six types of working genius, you may be wondering which type you are. Lencioni provides a simple and effective way to identify your own working genius. He suggests asking yourself the following questions:

• What activity or task do I look forward to the most at work?
• What activity or task do I find myself doing naturally and effortlessly?
• What activity or task do I consistently receive positive feedback on?

The answers to these questions can help you identify your own working genius and understand how you can best contribute to your organization.

Key Takeaways

The first key takeaway from The 6 Types of Working Genius is that everyone has innate talents when it comes to work. These talents can be categorized into six different types of working genius as listed above: wonder, invention, discernment, galvanizing, enablement, and tenacity. By identifying which of these types resonate with you, you can better understand what types of tasks and projects you may excel at, and which may not come as easily. You can then focus on honing your strengths, while seeking assistance from others who have complementary skills.

The second key takeaway from the book is the importance of understanding your "working frustration." These are the areas which do not spark your interest, or areas which feel challenging for you. By identifying where your frustration lies, you can seek out assistance from those who have skills you’re lacking. This insight can be a launch pad to achieve greater job satisfaction and potentially find more efficient methods to work in tasks that cause frustration or dissatisfaction.

The third key takeaway from the book is that working in your area or areas of working genius can drive fulfillment and purpose. The book argues that there is a direct correlation between working in your genius area and achieving your goals, feeling more fulfilled at work, and overall. The recommendation from the book involving developing a better understanding of your working genius areas is to create a set of actions in the near and medium term which focuses on taking on more tasks and projects in those areas.

In addition to working in your field of geniuses helping individuals become more fulfilled at work, the fourth takeaway from the book emphasizes the importance of collaboration when working with others who may not operate like you. The book argues that acknowledging and understanding the areas where you struggle can lead to finding synergies with other talent types. The book encourages to leverage one's genius area to help those colleagues who complement yours.

Lastly, one point mentioned in the book is to recognize that some career aspirations will require skills and strengths outside of your genius areas. For these points, the book suggests making up for this to the best of your abilities by seeking help from others and registering for courses or training to enhance the required talent. The book stresses the importance of being aware of and improving on these areas.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, working in areas that align with your genius type and understanding what sparks or hinders you at work is key to achieving career excellence. The book by Patrick M. Lencioni goes into depth about how to operationalize one's most exceptional working tendencies and how to find the appropriate complement to those who fill in where an individual falls short regarding certain tendencies. Developing your professional expertise areas not only enables you to grow in your career but also leads to the fulfillment of what is required. While there may be areas that do not resonate with your working strategy, there's always room to learn and seek assistance from those whose genius areas complement yours.

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Author: Aaron Champion