“Exploring the Six Varieties of Working Genius: Insights Beyond the Obvious”

There’s a moment in every meeting, every project, every team huddle, when the energy shifts. Maybe it’s the third hour of a strategy session, or the instant a project kickoff slides from excitement into monotony. Someone’s eyes glaze over as the conversation drifts into details that feel irrelevant. Another person, once animated, now fidgets with their pen, their mind already wandering to the next thing. The leader, sensing the lull, pushes forward, but the current has changed. The team is present, but the spark is gone. The work continues, but the genius has left the room.

When the Spark Fades: The Hidden Cost of Misaligned Genius

It’s easy to blame fatigue, poor facilitation, or even a lack of commitment. But beneath the surface, something more nuanced is at play. Each person at that table is wired for a different kind of contribution—a unique “working genius”—and when the work drifts too far from their zone, engagement quietly evaporates. The result? Meetings that feel like marathons, projects that stall, and a creeping sense of frustration that no one quite names. The 6 types of working genius, as described by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, offer a lens to see what’s really happening.

When we overlook the subtle architecture of how people are wired to contribute, we pay a price that’s far greater than a few dull meetings. The real cost is measured in lost potential, eroded trust, and the slow, silent disengagement of our most talented individuals. Teams that don’t understand the 6 types of working genius often mistake exhaustion for incompetence, or label disengagement as a lack of drive. But what if the problem isn’t effort or attitude, but alignment?

Research on team performance and organizational health tells us that people do their best work when they feel seen for their unique strengths—and when those strengths are put to use in the right moments. When a visionary is trapped in a sea of spreadsheets, or a detail-oriented implementer is forced to “blue sky” for hours, the mismatch isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s corrosive. Over time, it breeds resentment, self-doubt, and a quiet withdrawal that no amount of motivational posters can fix. This is why understanding the 6 types of working genius is not just a “nice to have” for leaders and teams—it’s the difference between a group that drifts and one that thrives.

Unmasking the Six: Beyond Labels, Into Lived Experience

It’s tempting to treat the 6 types of working genius as just another personality test—another set of boxes to tick, another acronym to memorize. But the real power of the working genius model, developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, isn’t in the labels; it’s in the lived experience of work itself. Each “genius” is more than a preference—it’s a wellspring of energy, a signal of where someone’s contribution is not just competent, but catalytic.

Let’s step into the shoes of a team at a crossroads. Imagine a product launch that’s stalled. The team is talented, but progress is halting, and frustration simmers beneath the surface. On paper, everyone is “qualified.” In reality, the work is misaligned with their innate talents and their true genius. There’s Maya, who lights up when she’s asked to imagine new ideas—her mind leaps ahead, connecting dots others haven’t even noticed. But as the project moves into planning, her spark dims. She’s not lazy; she’s simply out of her zone. Next to her is Sam, who thrives on clarifying chaos—he brings order, structure, and a plan. But when the team lingers too long in brainstorming, he grows restless, his gifts underutilized. Across the table, Alex is the steady engine, happiest when executing the plan, turning ideas into reality. But ask him to dream up the next big thing, and he feels exposed, even inadequate.

This isn’t dysfunction. It’s diversity—of genius, of contribution, of energy. The problem isn’t that anyone is lacking; it’s that the work hasn’t been mapped to the right genius at the right time. When we see this, the fog lifts. The question shifts from “Why aren’t they engaged?” to “What kind of genius does this moment require—and who is built to bring it?”

The Anatomy of Momentum: Sequencing Genius for Flow

Every project, every initiative, every meeting has a natural arc—a sequence that, when honored, unlocks momentum. The 6 types of working genius aren’t just static traits; they’re stages in a process, each one essential, each one building on the last. It begins with Wonder—the genius of asking, “Is there a better way?” This is the spark, the restless curiosity that refuses to settle. Next comes Discernment—the ability to sense what’s worth pursuing, to intuit the right path amid a sea of options. In the hands of a team, these two set the direction, ensuring the work is rooted in both possibility and wisdom.

But vision alone isn’t enough. Enter Galvanizing—the genius of rallying others, of turning ideas into shared purpose. This is the energy that transforms insight into action, that gathers the tribe and points them toward a common goal. Enablement follows—the quiet, crucial genius of support, of removing obstacles and making it possible for others to do their best work. Then comes Tenacity—the relentless drive to finish, to push through resistance, to deliver on the promise. Invention, too, plays a vital role, as disruptive geniuses bring new ideas and challenge the status quo, much like Andrew Laffoon did with his innovative approach to teamwork and productivity.

When these forms of genius are sequenced—when each is honored at the right moment—the work flows. Meetings become energizing, not exhausting. Projects move, not because everyone is doing everything, but because each person is doing what they do best, when it matters most. This is the heart of the working genius framework, and it’s what the Table Group team and certified working genius facilitators help organizations unlock. Orangetheory Fitness, for example, has leveraged the 6 types of working genius to drive increased productivity and morale, ensuring that each individual’s innate talents are recognized and celebrated.

From Blind Spots to Breakthroughs: Reframing Team Friction

It’s easy to see friction as a sign of failure—a signal that something is broken. But what if friction is simply feedback? What if the tension in your team is pointing to a misalignment of genius, a moment when the work has drifted away from someone’s natural contribution? Consider the leader who grows impatient with “endless” brainstorming, or the implementer who feels left out of early-stage strategy. These aren’t personality flaws; they’re clues. When we reframe friction as data, we move from blame to curiosity. We start asking: “Whose genius is missing from this stage? Who needs to step back, and who needs to step in?”

This shift is subtle, but profound. It transforms conflict into collaboration, frustration into fuel. Teams that learn to name and navigate their working genius don’t just avoid burnout—they unlock breakthroughs. They build a culture where every contribution is valued, and where the right kind of energy shows up at the right time. The 6 types of working genius aren’t just a map of individual strengths. They’re a blueprint for collective momentum—a way to turn the ordinary grind of work into something deeply human, deeply energizing, and, ultimately, transformational. This is the promise of the working genius assessment, and why so many organizations turn to a certified working genius facilitator for team development and leadership development.

Vitaspark, a leader in organizational health and team development, has seen firsthand how the 6 types of working genius can transform not just productivity, but morale and fulfillment. By leveraging the working genius model, teams move from working frustration to working competency, and ultimately to true genius. The result is greater potential realized, increased productivity, and a culture where every individual feels seen and valued.

Turning Insight Into Action: Mapping Your Own Genius

Pause for a moment and look inward. Where, in the arc of your daily work, do you feel most alive? Is it in the quiet before the meeting, when you’re free to imagine new ideas? Or do you come alive when the plan is clear and the finish line is in sight? Maybe your energy surges when you’re rallying others, or when you’re quietly smoothing the path so the team can move forward. These aren’t just preferences—they’re signals, pointing you toward your unique working genius.

If you’re unsure, consider the last time you lost track of time at work. What were you doing? Were you asking big questions, weighing options, mobilizing the group, supporting a colleague, or driving a project to completion? Conversely, when did you last feel drained or disengaged? What kind of work was on your plate then? These moments are breadcrumbs, leading you back to your zone of genius—and away from your zones of working frustration. The 6 types of working genius help you identify not just your strengths, but your working competencies and working frustrations, giving you a roadmap for greater fulfillment and success.

Now, imagine mapping this awareness onto your team. What if, instead of assigning tasks by title or tenure, you matched work to genius? What if you invited your colleagues to share not just what they can do, but what energizes them? The shift can be as simple as a conversation: “Where do you feel most in flow? Where do you feel most stuck?” Or as structured as a team exercise, mapping out the 6 types of working genius and inviting each person to claim their own. This is the essence of personal discovery and team development, and it’s what the working genius assessment is designed to facilitate.

Ask yourself:

• Where in my current role am I operating in my zone of genius—and where am I merely competent, or even frustrated?
• How might I advocate for more time in my genius, and less in my drain?
• Who on my team lights up where I dim, and how can we trade tasks to honor that?

This isn’t about escaping all discomfort or delegating every challenge. It’s about clarity—about seeing yourself and your team with new eyes, and making small, intentional shifts that unlock energy, trust, and momentum. The map is there. The next step is yours.

Genius, Unlocked: What Changes When We See Differently

When we stop treating work as a one-size-fits-all endeavor and start honoring the 6 types of working genius, something fundamental shifts. The fog of frustration lifts. The invisible weight of misalignment eases. Suddenly, the path to momentum and meaning is clearer—not just for you, but for everyone you lead, collaborate with, or care about. This isn’t just a new lens; it’s a new language. It’s the difference between asking, “Why can’t they just try harder?” and wondering, “What if their genius is waiting for a different invitation?” It’s the quiet confidence that comes from knowing your own energy source—and the humility to recognize when it’s time to step back and let another’s genius shine.

Here’s what integrating this insight can look like in practice:

• Name your genius, and your drain. Get honest about where you’re most alive—and where you’re most depleted. Awareness is the first step toward change.
• Invite the conversation. Ask your team, “Where do you feel most in flow? Where do you feel most stuck?” Make it safe to share, and listen for the clues.
• Map the work, not just the people. Look at your next project or meeting agenda. Which types of working genius are needed at each stage? Who’s best equipped to lead, support, or step back?
• Trade tasks, not just titles. Where possible, shift responsibilities so each person spends more time in their zone of genius—and less in their zone of working frustration.
• Treat friction as feedback. When energy dips or conflict arises, pause. Ask: “Is this a sign of misaligned genius?” Use it as a prompt for curiosity, not blame.

The real breakthrough isn’t just in knowing the 6 types of working genius—it’s in living them, together. When you do, you’ll find that work becomes less about endurance and more about engagement. Less about surviving the meeting, and more about sparking something that lasts long after the agenda ends. Genius isn’t rare. It’s just waiting to be recognized, honored, and set free.

Why the 6 Types of Working Genius Matter for Teams and Leaders

The 6 types of working genius are not just a framework—they are a call to see ourselves and our teams with new eyes. Patrick Lencioni, Pat Lencioni, and the Table Group have shown that when we align work with genius, we unlock greater potential, increased productivity, and a sense of fulfillment that goes beyond the ordinary. The working genius model is not a personality test; it’s a tool for personal discovery, team development, and leadership development. It helps individuals and leaders alike move from working frustration to working competency, and ultimately to true genius.

Organizations like Orangetheory Fitness and Vitaspark have embraced the 6 types of working genius to drive organizational health, morale, and success. By leveraging the insights of a certified working genius facilitator or working genius certified facilitator, teams can map their innate talents, trade tasks for greater alignment, and create a culture where every contribution is valued. The result is not just increased productivity, but a deeper sense of connection, confidence, and clarity.

Disruptive geniuses like Andrew Laffoon have shown that when we honor the full spectrum of genius—from invention and discernment to enablement and tenacity—we create space for new ideas, uncanny judgment, and breakthrough results. The 6 types of working genius are a blueprint for teamwork, leadership, and organizational health. They remind us that every individual has a unique contribution to make, and that true success comes from honoring the full range of genius within our teams.

Integrating the 6 Types of Working Genius: Your Next Step

As you reflect on your own work, your team, and your organization, consider the power of the 6 types of working genius. Where are you operating in your zone of genius? Where are you merely competent, or even frustrated? What would it look like to map your team’s innate talents, trade tasks for greater alignment, and create a culture where every contribution is valued?

The journey begins with awareness, but it doesn’t end there. The real transformation comes when you take action—when you invite your team to explore their own genius, when you leverage the insights of the working genius assessment, and when you commit to building a culture of trust, momentum, and fulfillment. Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or an individual seeking greater clarity, the 6 types of working genius offer a roadmap for personal discovery, team development, and organizational health.

Ready to unlock your team’s greater potential? Schedule a time to connect with us and explore how the 6 types of working genius can transform your work, your team, and your results. Book a clarity session here.

Genius is not a rare thing. It’s the heartbeat of every team, the spark behind every breakthrough, and the foundation of true fulfillment at work. When you honor the 6 types of working genius, you don’t just change the way you work—you change what’s possible. The next step is yours.