1. “Unleashing Your Inner Genius: Navigating the Six Working Archetypes for Personal and Professional Growth”

There’s a moment in every career when the noise of expectation fades, and you’re left with a single, pressing question: Am I truly using my genius, or am I just surviving? Maybe it’s after a meeting where your ideas felt out of sync, or in the quiet after a long day when you wonder if your work is really aligned with your strengths. The world is quick to tell us to be more strategic, more creative, more decisive—but rarely does it ask us to honor our unique genius. The 6 types of working genius, as described by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, offer a new lens for understanding not just how we work, but why we thrive—or struggle—at work.

Standing at the Crossroads of Potential

For many individuals, the tension between expectation and authenticity shows up as restlessness—a hunger for more meaning, more impact, more alignment. For others, it’s a quiet fatigue, the slow erosion of energy that comes from working against your own grain. You may notice patterns: the projects that light you up versus the ones that drain you, the roles where you feel powerful and clear versus those that leave you second-guessing. It’s not just about skills or ambition. It’s about the deeper architecture of how you’re wired to contribute, create, and lead. The 6 types of working genius are not just labels—they are invitations to reclaim your true genius and design your work around it.

If any of this stirs something inside—a flicker of recognition, a longing for clarity—then what follows may be the beginning of a new conversation with yourself. One that doesn’t just ask, “How can I work harder?” but instead, “How can I work truer?” The 6 types of working genius, as described by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group team, offer a new lens for this personal discovery and team development. Vitaspark has seen firsthand how this framework can transform not just individuals, but entire teams.

The Hidden Cost of Misalignment

When we move through our days out of sync with our true working genius, the consequences ripple far beyond a single project or performance review. It’s not just about feeling “off” or occasionally uninspired—misalignment quietly erodes our confidence, our sense of belonging, and even our capacity for joy. Over time, the gap between who we are and how we show up at work becomes a silent tax on our energy. We start to question our value, or worse, we numb ourselves to the possibility that work could feel any different.

Research in organizational health and leadership development tells us that when individuals operate outside their natural strengths for too long, engagement plummets and burnout risk soars. Teams lose their creative edge. Leaders become reactive instead of visionary. The cost isn’t just personal—it’s collective. Cultures built on conformity, rather than authentic contribution, struggle to innovate and retain their best people. The unspoken truth? Most of us have never been given a language for our unique genius, let alone permission to lead with it. The 6 types of working genius framework, developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, is a map for this journey.

Reclaiming Your Genius: The 6 Types of Working Genius Unveiled

Imagine, for a moment, that your work life is a vast landscape—one you’ve been traversing for years, sometimes with a map, often by instinct. Now, picture discovering that there are 6 types of working genius, each shaped by a different kind of innate talent. These are not rigid boxes, but living archetypes—patterns of energy, focus, and contribution that, when understood, can turn confusion into clarity and effort into flow.

Let’s step into the heart of these types of working genius, not as labels, but as invitations. Each one holds a mirror to a part of you that may have been overlooked, undervalued, or misunderstood. As you read, notice which descriptions spark recognition, resistance, or longing. Sometimes, the genius you most need to claim is the one you’ve been taught to hide.

The Architect (Wonder & Discernment): Designing the Invisible
The Architect, a blend of the Wonder and Discernment types of working genius, is the master of systems and structure. They see the hidden scaffolding beneath chaos, the patterns that others miss. In meetings, they’re the ones quietly mapping connections, sensing where things will break or thrive. When aligned, Architects bring order to complexity and build foundations that last. But when forced into roles that demand constant improvisation or emotional labor, their gifts can wither into rigidity or withdrawal.

Consider Maya, a client who spent years in creative marketing roles, always praised for her adaptability. Yet, she felt perpetually drained, her ideas scattered. It wasn’t until she moved into operations—designing workflows, optimizing processes—that she felt her mind click into place. “I thought I was failing at being creative,” she told me, “but I was just missing the right canvas.” Her uncanny judgment and ability to see what others missed were finally valued. This is the power of understanding your working genius and aligning your work with your true genius.

The Catalyst (Galvanizing & Enablement): Igniting Momentum
Catalysts are the spark-plugs of progress, embodying the Galvanizing and Enablement types of working genius. They thrive on movement, change, and the thrill of what’s possible. Give them a stagnant project, and they’ll breathe life into it. Their energy is contagious, their impatience a sign of untapped potential. But in environments that prize stability over innovation, Catalysts can feel like troublemakers or, worse, become bored and disengaged.

Take Jordan, a team lead who was labeled “disruptive” in a risk-averse company. His ideas were often met with resistance, his urgency misunderstood. When he joined a startup hungry for transformation, his restlessness became an asset. “I stopped apologizing for wanting more,” he said. “I realized my drive wasn’t a flaw—it was fuel.” His new ideas and galvanizing energy became the thing that propelled the team forward. Disruptive geniuses like Jordan are often the key to unlocking greater potential and increased productivity.

The Empath (Enablement & Tenacity): Weaving Connection
Empaths are the emotional glue of any group, often excelling in Enablement and Tenacity. They sense undercurrents, anticipate needs, and create spaces where others feel seen. Their intuition is their compass, guiding decisions that honor both people and purpose. Yet, in cultures that reward detachment or speed, Empaths can feel invisible or overwhelmed, absorbing stress that isn’t theirs to carry.

Sofia, an HR manager, once confided, “I thought my sensitivity was a liability. But when I started naming what others were feeling, our team finally had the conversations we’d been avoiding. My empathy became our superpower.” Her working genius was not just about tasks, but about morale and fulfillment. The 6 types of working genius remind us that every team needs emotional intelligence and enablement to thrive.

The Visionary (Invention & Wonder): Seeing Beyond the Horizon
Visionaries are the seers and storytellers, often strong in Invention and Wonder. They hold the long view, imagining futures others can’t yet see. Their ideas can feel audacious, even impossible, but they inspire movement and meaning. When Visionaries are forced into the weeds of execution, their energy dims. They need space to dream, to connect dots, to ask, “What if?”

Eli, a product strategist, spent years frustrated by “practical” feedback. “I was told to be more realistic,” he recalled. “But when I finally owned my role as a Visionary, I started shaping strategy instead of just reacting to it. I learned that dreaming is a form of leadership.” His working genius was in seeing new ideas and possibilities, not just in completing tasks. The 6 types of working genius show us that invention and wonder are essential for organizational health and leadership development.

The Guardian (Discernment & Tenacity): Protecting What Matters
Guardians are the stewards of standards, values, and continuity, often excelling in Discernment and Tenacity. They remember what’s been promised, hold the line on quality, and ensure that progress doesn’t come at the cost of integrity. In fast-moving environments, Guardians can be dismissed as naysayers or obstacles. But without them, teams lose their anchor.

Consider Priya, a compliance officer who was often left out of early project discussions. “I used to feel like the brakes,” she said. “But when I reframed my role as the keeper of trust, I found my voice. I wasn’t slowing us down—I was making sure we could go the distance.” Her uncanny judgment and tenacity were essential to the team’s success. The 6 types of working genius remind us that discernment and tenacity are not just competencies—they are the foundation of trust and fulfillment.

The Maker (Tenacity & Enablement): Bringing Ideas to Life
Makers are the doers, builders, and finishers, strong in Tenacity and Enablement. They find satisfaction in tangible results, in the rhythm of creation and completion. Give them a clear goal, and they’ll turn vision into reality. But when trapped in endless ideation or bureaucracy, Makers can become frustrated or disengaged.

Alex, a software developer, once felt lost in a swirl of strategy meetings. “I needed to make things, not just talk about them,” he realized. When he shifted to a role with more autonomy and hands-on work, his motivation—and output—soared. His working genius was in the doing, not just the dreaming. The 6 types of working genius show us that enablement and tenacity are vital for increased productivity and team development.

Each of the 6 types of working genius is a doorway, not a destination. You may recognize yourself in more than one, or find that your dominant pattern shifts with context and season. The real shift begins when you stop asking, “How do I fit in?” and start asking, “How do I bring my true genius to the work that matters most?” This is the invitation: to reclaim the parts of yourself that have been sidelined, to honor the architecture of your own potential, and to lead from the center of your unique genius. The working genius model, as developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, is a powerful tool for both personal discovery and team development.

Turning Insight Into Action: Mapping Your Genius in the Real World

Pause for a moment. Let the 6 types of working genius settle in your mind—not as abstract ideas, but as living threads woven through your daily experience. This is where the journey shifts from understanding to embodiment. Because knowing your working genius is only the beginning; the real transformation happens when you start to notice, honor, and design your life around it.

Start with gentle curiosity. Where do you feel most alive in your work? When do you lose track of time, or find yourself energized rather than depleted? These are not trivial questions—they are breadcrumbs leading you back to your core. Maybe you recognize the Architect’s satisfaction in untangling complexity, or the Maker’s quiet joy in finishing what others only imagine. Perhaps you’ve spent years apologizing for your Catalyst energy, or hiding your Empathic intuition in rooms that didn’t know how to value it.

Ask yourself:
– Which of the 6 types of working genius feels most like home—and which one have you been exiling, perhaps to fit someone else’s mold?
– Where in your current role do you feel friction, and could that be a sign of working frustration rather than inadequacy?
– What would shift if you gave yourself permission to lead with your true genius, even in small ways?

Try this: Over the next week, keep a simple journal. At the end of each day, jot down one moment when you felt in flow, and one when you felt resistance. Don’t judge—just observe. Patterns will emerge. You may discover that your “weaknesses” are simply strengths misplaced, or that your greatest contributions have been hiding in plain sight.

If you lead others, take this a step further. Notice the 6 types of working genius at play on your team. Who brings the spark, the structure, the heart? Where are gifts being overlooked or underutilized? What conversations could you open, simply by naming and honoring these patterns?

This is not about changing who you are. It’s about coming home to yourself—and, in doing so, inviting others to do the same. The map is in your hands now. Where will you let it lead you? The working genius assessment, created by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, can be a powerful tool for this personal discovery and team development. Vitaspark’s certified working genius facilitator can help you and your team unlock greater potential and increased productivity.

Genius, Reclaimed: What Becomes Possible When You Lead From Your Center

When you finally see your working genius not as a box, but as a compass, something fundamental shifts. The friction you once called “weakness” becomes a signal, not a sentence. The energy you lost to self-doubt is reclaimed for creation, connection, and impact. This is the quiet revolution of self-alignment: you stop surviving your work, and start shaping it.

Here’s what stands out, distilled from the journey so far:

• Your genius is not accidental. The patterns that light you up—whether it’s building, dreaming, connecting, or protecting—are not quirks to be managed, but gifts to be honored. The 6 types of working genius are a testament to the diversity of innate talents.
• Misalignment is costly, but not inevitable. The exhaustion, disengagement, and self-questioning that come from working against your grain are signals, not failures. They’re invitations to realign, not reasons to shrink. Working frustrations are not a sign of incompetence, but a clue to your true genius.
• Naming your archetype is the first act of agency. When you can articulate your core mode of contribution, you gain the power to advocate for yourself, design your days, and collaborate with intention. The working genius framework, as taught by a certified working genius facilitator, can help you and your team unlock greater potential.
• Every team needs every archetype. The most resilient, innovative cultures are those that make space for all 6 types of working genius—not just the loudest or most familiar. Teamwork, morale, and increased productivity all flourish when each type is honored.
• Personal discovery is ongoing. The working genius assessment is not a personality test, but a map for ongoing growth, fulfillment, and success. Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or an entrepreneur, understanding your working genius is the foundation for organizational health and leadership development.

If you’re ready to move from insight to action, try this:

• Spot your “flow moments.” Over the next week, notice when you feel most energized, clear, or at ease. What were you doing? Which of the 6 types of working genius was in play?
• Name your friction. When you feel drained or out of sync, pause. Is this a sign you’re working against your natural genius? What small shift could you make?
• Start a conversation. Share the 6 types of working genius with a colleague or your team. Ask: Where do you see yourself? Where are we missing a voice or strength?
• Redesign one thing. Choose a single task, meeting, or project. How could you approach it more in line with your working genius? What would you say yes to—or no to—if you trusted your true genius?

The journey isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about remembering who you are, and letting that truth shape the way you work, lead, and live. When you reclaim your genius, you don’t just change your own experience—you give others permission to do the same. And that, quietly but powerfully, is how cultures transform.

Vitaspark has seen the impact of the 6 types of working genius in organizations from Orangetheory Fitness to startups led by visionaries like Andrew Laffoon. Disruptive geniuses, when understood and honored, become the engine of innovation and fulfillment. The working genius model, as developed by Pat Lencioni and the Table Group team, is not just a framework—it’s a call to lead from your center, to honor your innate talents, and to build cultures where every individual can thrive.

Whether you’re a leader seeking greater potential in your team, an individual craving more fulfillment, or a company aiming for increased productivity and organizational health, the 6 types of working genius offer a roadmap. The working genius framework, supported by a certified working genius facilitator, can help you unlock new ideas, improve morale, and foster teamwork that lasts.

Ready to take the next step? Connect with us to explore your team’s alignment and discover how the 6 types of working genius can transform your work, your leadership, and your life. Schedule a time to discuss your team with our CEO.

Remember: Your genius is waiting to be reclaimed. When you lead from your center, you create confidence, clarity, connection, and balance—not just for yourself, but for everyone around you.