“Discovering Your Hidden Super Powers: A Journey Through Working Genius”

There’s a moment, often just after the last meeting ends, when the mask slips. The day’s performance—smiling through video calls, nodding at the right times, pushing through tasks that feel oddly heavy—gives way to a quieter truth. Maybe it’s a sigh you didn’t realize you were holding, or the way your shoulders finally drop as the laptop lid closes. In that hush, a question flickers: Why does some work feel so natural, almost effortless, while other parts drain you to the bone?

Perhaps you’ve noticed it in the small resentments that build up over the week. The projects that spark your curiosity, versus the ones that feel like wading through mud. The envy you feel watching a colleague light up in a brainstorming session, or the relief when a detail-oriented teammate volunteers to handle the logistics you dread. It’s not just about skill or experience—there’s something deeper at play, something about the way you’re wired. The 6 types of working genius, as described by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, offer a new lens for understanding these patterns.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain tasks leave you energized and others leave you empty, or if you’ve questioned whether you’re truly using your gifts—or just surviving on autopilot—this is where your journey begins. Because what if the parts of work that feel like a struggle aren’t a flaw, but a clue? And what if the ease you feel in other moments is pointing you toward a hidden superpower you’ve barely begun to claim? The 6 types of working genius are not just a personality test—they are a map to your innate talents and greater potential.

If any of this rings true, keep reading. The next step might just change the way you see yourself—and your work—forever.

Beyond Burnout: The Cost of Misaligned Genius

It’s easy to dismiss our daily frustrations as just part of the job—an unavoidable tax on ambition, or the price of being a “team player.” But what if those moments of exhaustion and disengagement are more than just background noise? What if they’re signals—urgent, intelligent signals—pointing us toward a deeper misalignment between our work and our true genius?

Research shows that when we spend too much time outside our natural zones of strength, our productivity drops, our creativity withers, and our sense of purpose erodes. The World Health Organization now recognizes burnout as a workplace phenomenon, not just a personal failing. But beneath the headlines and statistics lies a quieter, more personal cost: the slow fading of our unique spark. When we force ourselves to operate in roles or rhythms that don’t fit, we don’t just lose energy—we lose access to the very gifts that make us valuable, innovative, and alive.

This isn’t just about feeling good at work. It’s about reclaiming the parts of ourselves that thrive when we’re in flow, and understanding the ripple effect that alignment has on our teams, our organizations, and our lives. When we ignore these signals, we risk more than fatigue—we risk missing out on the impact we’re meant to have. But when we learn to recognize and honor our working genius, we unlock a new level of contribution, connection, and fulfillment. The 6 types of working genius, as outlined by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group team, are the foundation for this transformation. The working genius assessment is not just a personality test; it’s a tool for personal discovery and organizational health.

The stakes are higher than we think. This is about more than surviving the workday—it’s about discovering what you’re truly here to do, and giving yourself permission to do it.

Unmasking the Six Geniuses: The Language of Your True Work

Imagine, for a moment, that every team is a symphony—and every person, an instrument with a unique timbre. The working genius model, developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, offers a new way to listen: it names six distinct “geniuses” that shape how we contribute, create, and collaborate. These aren’t just skills—they’re innate energies, the places where work feels like play and time seems to bend. When you find your genius, you don’t just perform—you resonate.

The 6 types of working genius are Wonder, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity, and Invention. Each one is a different note in the music of work. Some people are natural Wonderers, always asking “What if?” and sensing possibilities others miss. Others are Inventors, who thrive on generating new ideas and solutions. Discerners have an uncanny judgment for what will work; Galvanizers rally people to action. Enablers bring support and encouragement, while those with Tenacity see things through to the finish line. None is better than the others. But when you’re forced to play out of tune—spending your days in a genius that isn’t yours—the music falters, and so do you.

Consider Maya, a client who spent years in a project management role. She was praised for her reliability, but inside, she felt like she was suffocating. It wasn’t until she discovered her true genius—Wonder and Invention—that she realized why. The endless checklists and follow-ups drained her, but brainstorming new ideas lit her up. When she shifted her role to focus on early-stage strategy and ideation, her energy returned. She didn’t just perform better—she felt like herself again. This is the power of the working genius framework: it helps individuals and teams unlock greater potential and fulfillment.

The Trap of “Well-Rounded” and the Power of Alignment

For years, we’ve been told to be well-rounded—to shore up our weaknesses, to be everything to everyone. But what if that’s the very thing holding us back? The 6 types of working genius flip this script. The working genius model suggests that greatness comes not from being average at everything, but from knowing—and owning—where you shine. When you align your work with your genius, you move from effortful competence to effortless excellence.

This isn’t just theory. Teams that map their members’ types of working genius often find that long-standing frustrations suddenly make sense. The “slacker” who never finishes projects might be a brilliant Wonderer or Inventor, lost in the wrong phase of work. The “micromanager” who obsesses over details may simply be wired for Tenacity, desperate to see things through. When people are allowed to play to their strengths, friction turns to flow. Meetings get shorter. Projects move faster. And, perhaps most importantly, people start to feel seen—not just for what they do, but for who they are.

The Table Group team, led by Pat Lencioni and Andrew Laffoon, has seen this transformation in organizations ranging from Orangetheory Fitness to disruptive geniuses in tech. When teams embrace the 6 types of working genius, morale improves, productivity increases, and individuals experience a new level of fulfillment. This is not just leadership development—it’s a revolution in organizational health and teamwork.

From Blind Spots to Breakthroughs: Reframing the Struggle

It’s tempting to see our struggles as evidence of inadequacy. But what if they’re actually invitations? The moments when work feels heavy or joyless aren’t failures—they’re breadcrumbs, leading us back to our genius. The 6 types of working genius give us a new language for these experiences. Instead of asking, “Why can’t I just push through?” we can ask, “What kind of work am I really built for?” This shift isn’t about escaping responsibility—it’s about finding the place where your effort creates the most value, for you and for everyone around you.

Take the story of Alex, a team leader who always dreaded the “rallying the troops” part of his job. He thought he was just introverted, or maybe not cut out for leadership. But when he discovered his types of working genius were Discernment and Enablement, everything clicked. He was brilliant at sensing what ideas would work and supporting others to succeed—but galvanizing the team wasn’t his strength. By partnering with a colleague whose genius was Galvanizing, Alex not only improved his team’s performance—he rediscovered his own joy in leading.

The real breakthrough comes when we stop fighting our wiring and start designing our work—and our teams—around it. That’s when hidden superpowers become visible. That’s when the mask comes off, and the real work begins. The working genius assessment, especially when guided by a certified working genius facilitator, can help individuals and teams identify their working competencies and working frustrations, leading to increased productivity and greater potential.

Turning the Mirror Inward: Claiming Your Genius in Daily Life

Pause for a moment. Let the stories of Maya and Alex settle—not as distant examples, but as invitations. What if your own moments of frustration, envy, or effortless flow are not random, but signposts? The 6 types of working genius aren’t just a team tool or a leadership framework; they’re a lens for self-honesty, a way to decode the patterns of your own work life.

Start by tracing your energy. Think back over the past week: When did you feel most alive, most “in your element”? Was it in the early stages of a project, dreaming up possibilities? Or did you find satisfaction in refining ideas, or in the quiet, steady progress of seeing things through? Notice, too, the moments that left you depleted. Was it the endless follow-up emails, the pressure to rally a group, or the expectation to invent on demand? These aren’t just preferences—they’re clues to your genius and your frustrations.

Ask yourself:

• Where do I lose track of time at work?
• What kinds of tasks do I secretly hope someone else will volunteer for?
• When do I feel most valued by my team—and when do I feel invisible?
• Which parts of my job do I do well, but at a high personal cost?

If you’re leading others, take this reflection a step further. What patterns do you see in your team? Who lights up in brainstorming sessions, and who shines when it’s time to execute? Where are the friction points—those recurring bottlenecks or misunderstandings that never seem to resolve? Instead of seeing these as personality clashes or performance issues, try viewing them through the lens of genius alignment. What if the solution isn’t more training or motivation, but a realignment of roles and expectations?

This is the beginning of a new kind of self-leadership. It’s not about escaping hard work or chasing only what’s easy. It’s about honoring the places where your effort creates the most value—and giving yourself permission to step out of the roles that drain you. The journey starts with awareness, but it doesn’t end there. It’s about making small, intentional shifts: volunteering for projects that match your genius, having honest conversations about what energizes you, and encouraging your team to do the same.

The mask comes off, not in one dramatic gesture, but in a series of quiet, courageous choices. Each time you claim your genius, you reclaim a piece of yourself—and invite others to do the same. The working genius framework, especially when facilitated by a working genius certified facilitator, can help teams and individuals move from working frustration to working competency, unlocking greater potential and fulfillment.

The Genius You’ve Been Waiting For: Integrating Insight Into Action

If you’ve read this far, you already sense it: the way you work isn’t just a matter of habit or hustle—it’s a reflection of your deepest wiring. The 6 types of working genius are not another personality test to file away and forget. They are a mirror, a map, and—if you let them—a permission slip to step into the work you were made for.

Here’s what this journey has revealed:

• Your frustrations aren’t failures; they’re signals. The heaviness you feel in certain tasks is not a flaw, but a clue to where your genius does not live.
• Alignment isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation of sustainable energy, creativity, and impact. When you work from your genius, you don’t just get more done; you become more yourself.
• Teams thrive not when everyone is “well-rounded,” but when each person is empowered to play their part in the symphony. The music changes when everyone is in tune with their genius.

But insight alone won’t change your work or your life. Integration happens in the small, brave steps you take next. Start here:

• Track your energy: For one week, jot down when you feel most alive and when you feel most drained. Patterns will emerge—trust them.
• Name your genius: Take the working genius assessment, or reflect honestly on the 6 types of working genius. Which two feel like home? Which two feel like heavy lifting?
• Have one honest conversation: Share your reflections with a colleague or manager. Ask them what they notice about your strengths—and listen for clues about theirs.
• Realign one responsibility: Look for a single task or project you can shift toward your genius, or delegate one that consistently drains you.
• Invite your team in: Bring the language of the 6 types of working genius to your next meeting. Ask, “Where are we in flow, and where are we forcing it?” Watch what happens.

The journey to claiming your hidden superpowers isn’t about radical reinvention. It’s about a series of intentional, courageous choices—each one bringing you closer to the work (and the life) that fits. The genius you’ve been waiting for isn’t out there. It’s been within you all along, waiting for permission to lead.

Vitaspark, Connection, and the Next Step

At Vitaspark, we believe that every individual and every team has a unique combination of the 6 types of working genius. When you discover your true genius, you unlock not just increased productivity, but a deeper sense of fulfillment, connection, and confidence. The working genius model, as developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, is more than a tool—it’s a catalyst for personal discovery, team development, and organizational health. Whether you’re a leader seeking to inspire your team, an individual searching for greater potential, or a group ready to move from working frustration to working competency, the journey begins with a single step.

Remember, the 6 types of working genius are not about labeling or limiting you—they are about revealing your innate talents and giving you the language to claim your place in the symphony of work. The stories of Orangetheory Fitness, disruptive geniuses in tech, and countless others show that when teams embrace this framework, morale soars, productivity rises, and individuals experience a new level of success and fulfillment. The Table Group team, led by Pat Lencioni and Andrew Laffoon, has seen firsthand how the right alignment of genius, enablement, invention, discernment, galvanizing, and tenacity can transform not just work, but lives.

So, if you’re ready to move beyond working frustrations and step into your true genius, the invitation is simple: connect with us. Whether you’re curious about the working genius assessment, seeking a certified working genius facilitator, or ready to explore team development and leadership development, your next chapter starts now. Schedule a time to discuss your team or your own journey with us using this link: https://tidycal.com/1v9o66m/vstoolkit.

You have the power to change your work, your team, and your life. The 6 types of working genius are your map. The next step is yours to take.