“Unleashing Potential: The Six Pillars of Working Genius”

There’s a moment that sneaks up on even the most driven professionals—a quiet, persistent ache beneath the surface of busy days. It’s the sensation of running hard, yet never quite arriving. Maybe it’s the project that drains you, even though you’re “good at it.” Or the team meeting where your ideas land with a thud, leaving you wondering if you’re in the wrong room, or just speaking the wrong language. The 6 types of working genius can illuminate why this happens, and how to break free.

Consider the leader who stays late, not out of ambition, but because something essential feels missing. She’s surrounded by capable people, yet the energy in the room is flat. The work gets done, but the spark—the sense of real momentum—remains elusive. Or the high-potential team member who, despite a track record of success, feels invisible in the very role that was supposed to be a perfect fit. The 6 types of working genius offer a new lens for understanding why even the most talented individuals can feel stuck, and how to break free from the cycle of misalignment.

The Hidden Cost of Misaligned Genius

When we talk about “potential,” it’s easy to imagine it as a fixed reservoir—something you either tap into or you don’t. But the truth is more nuanced, and far more urgent. Every day that your unique genius is misapplied, underutilized, or misunderstood, there’s a silent tax on your energy, your confidence, and your team’s results. The 6 types of working genius are not just about personal satisfaction—though that matters deeply. It’s about the ripple effect that misalignment creates. When people spend their days operating outside their true strengths, frustration compounds. Meetings become battlegrounds of misunderstanding. Projects stall, not because of a lack of effort, but because the right kind of energy is missing at the right moment. Over time, trust erodes—not just in each other, but in ourselves. We start to question our value, our fit, even our future.

Research from the Table Group and Patrick Lencioni shows that teams who understand and leverage their members’ working genius experience higher engagement, lower turnover, and greater innovation. But beyond the data, there’s a more personal truth: when you’re seen and valued for your real gifts, work becomes more than a grind. It becomes a place where you—and those around you—can truly come alive. That’s what’s at stake. Not just productivity, but possibility. Not just output, but meaning. The 6 types of working genius are not just a framework—they are a map to greater potential, fulfillment, and organizational health.

The Anatomy of Genius: Six Distinct Energies

Imagine for a moment that every great endeavor—every product launch, every nonprofit breakthrough, every family vacation that actually works—moves through a series of invisible stages. At each stage, a different kind of energy is required. Not just skill, but a specific flavor of genius. This is the heart of the working genius model: six distinct gifts, each essential, each irreplaceable. The 6 types of working genius are Wonder, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity, and Invention. Each of these types of working genius brings a unique energy to the table, and every successful project or team needs all six types at different moments.

Let’s bring these to life. There’s the Wonderer, who sees what others miss—the gaps, the possibilities, the “what if?” that sparks every meaningful change. Then comes the Discerner, whose uncanny judgment slices through noise, sensing what’s worth pursuing and what’s not. The Galvanizer rallies the troops, infusing the room with urgency and belief. The Enablement genius steps in, turning vision into motion by offering support and removing obstacles. The Tenacity genius brings the finish line into focus, ensuring nothing is left half-done. And finally, the Genius of Invention, the creative force that dreams up new ideas where none existed before. Each of us carries two of these as our natural, energizing strengths—our “working genius.” Two more are neutral, known as working competencies, and two are draining, known as working frustrations. The tragedy? Most teams, and most individuals, never get clear on which is which. We end up asking fish to climb trees, and then wonder why the pond is so quiet.

The 6 types of working genius—Wonder, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity, and Invention—are not just personality test results. They are the foundation of the working genius framework, a tool for personal discovery and team development that unlocks greater potential and increased productivity. The working genius model, developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, is a roadmap for understanding how to harness the right energy at the right time, and how to avoid the costly missteps of genius blindness.

The Cost of Genius Blindness

Consider a team stuck in endless ideation, but never shipping. Or a leader who can rally a crowd but struggles to discern which ideas are truly worth the effort. These aren’t failures of effort or intelligence—they’re symptoms of genius blindness. When we don’t know which energies are present, and which are missing, we default to frustration and blame. I once worked with a startup founder—let’s call him Mark—whose team was brilliant at brainstorming. Every meeting was a flurry of sticky notes and wild ideas. But deadlines slipped, and morale sagged. Mark was a classic Wonderer and Invention genius, but his team lacked Tenacity and Enablement. The result? A culture of excitement, but little follow-through. Once the team mapped their types of working genius, everything shifted. They brought in a project manager whose Tenacity was off the charts, and suddenly, ideas became products. The energy in the room changed—not because people worked harder, but because they worked in alignment.

This is the power of the working genius assessment, developed by Pat Lencioni and the Table Group team. It’s not just about identifying your strengths; it’s about understanding your working competencies and working frustrations, and how they impact your work, your team, and your success. The working genius model is a tool for personal discovery, team development, and organizational health. When you work with a certified working genius facilitator or a working genius certified facilitator, you gain access to tools and insights that transform not just your tasks, but your entire approach to teamwork and success.

The Power of Naming Your Genius

There’s a quiet revolution that happens when you name your genius. Suddenly, what felt like a personal flaw—“Why do I lose steam after the brainstorming phase?”—becomes a clue to your unique value. Teams stop resenting each other’s differences and start leveraging them. Meetings become less about consensus, and more about sequencing: Who needs to be in the room, and when? This isn’t about pigeonholing or limiting potential. It’s about clarity. When you know your genius, you can say yes to the right opportunities—and no to the ones that drain you. You can build teams that hum, not because everyone is the same, but because every kind of energy is honored and deployed at the right moment.

The shift is subtle, but seismic. It’s the difference between rowing against the current and catching the wind. When you align your work with your genius, effort feels different. Results feel different. And the people around you—whether they’re colleagues, clients, or family—feel it too. The 6 types of working genius are not just a personality test—they are a language for leadership development, organizational health, and true genius at work. When you work with a certified working genius facilitator or a working genius certified facilitator, you gain access to tools and insights that transform not just your tasks, but your entire approach to teamwork and success.

Turning Insight Into Action: Mapping Your Own Genius

Pause for a moment and let the idea settle: What if the friction you feel isn’t a sign of inadequacy, but a signal that your genius is out of sync with your work? This is where the journey shifts from theory to transformation. It’s not enough to know the six pillars exist—you have to see yourself in them, and then act. Start by reflecting on your own energy patterns. When do you feel most alive at work? Is it in the early stages, asking big questions and imagining new ideas? Or do you come alive when you’re rallying others, or rolling up your sleeves to get things across the finish line? Notice, too, the moments that drain you—the tasks that leave you depleted, no matter how hard you try. These aren’t just preferences; they’re clues to your working genius.

If you’re leading a team, take this a step further. Look around the table (or the Zoom grid). Who lights up in brainstorming sessions, and who quietly shines when it’s time to execute? Where are the gaps? Where is energy leaking, not because of a lack of talent, but because the wrong kind of genius is being asked to carry the load? Ask yourself:

• Which two stages of work consistently energize me, even on tough days?
• Where do I find myself procrastinating, or feeling out of my depth, despite my best intentions?
• How often do I communicate my needs—or listen for the genius in others—when projects stall or tensions rise?

This is the invitation: to move from accidental to intentional. To stop blaming yourself (or your team) for what feels hard, and start designing your work around what makes you—and those around you—come alive. The map is in your hands. The next step is yours. The 6 types of working genius are not just about individual fulfillment—they are about building teams that thrive. Whether you’re a leader at Orangetheory Fitness, a disruptive genius like Andrew Laffoon, or a member of the Table Group team, understanding your working genius, working competencies, and working frustrations is the key to unlocking greater potential and increased productivity.

From Awareness to Alignment: The Genius Shift

When you see your work—and your team—through the lens of working genius, the landscape changes. What once felt like friction or failure becomes a map for possibility. The six pillars aren’t just a framework; they’re a language for honoring what’s real, and a compass for what’s next. Here’s what to carry forward:

• Genius is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. When you align your work with your innate talents, you don’t just feel better; you perform better, and so does your team.
• Misalignment is costly, but it’s not a character flaw. The energy drain, the missed deadlines, the quiet disengagement—these are signals, not verdicts.
• Naming your genius is the first act of leadership. For yourself, and for those you lead. It’s how you move from accidental to intentional impact.

If you’re ready to put this into practice, start here:

• Map your own genius: Reflect honestly on when you feel most energized and when you feel most depleted. Write down your top two “zones of genius” and your two “zones of drain.”
• Share your map: Bring your insights to your next team meeting or one-on-one. Invite others to do the same. Notice what shifts when you speak this language together.
• Audit your projects: Look at your current workload. Where is genius missing? Where is it over-relied upon? Adjust roles or expectations, even in small ways, to better match strengths to stages.
• Honor the sequence: Not every genius is needed at every moment. Ask, “Whose energy does this phase require?” and let that guide your invitations and handoffs.
• Normalize the conversation: Make it safe to talk about what drains you, not just what excites you. This is how trust—and true collaboration—take root.

The real transformation isn’t just in knowing your genius. It’s in building a culture where every kind of genius is seen, valued, and unleashed. That’s how potential becomes performance—and how work becomes a place where you, and those around you, can truly thrive. The 6 types of working genius, as defined by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, are the foundation for leadership development, organizational health, and the unleashing of true genius in every individual and team.

Vitaspark: Igniting Genius in Teams and Individuals

At Vitaspark, we believe that the 6 types of working genius are more than a framework—they are a catalyst for transformation. Our approach is rooted in the conviction that every individual and every team has untapped potential waiting to be unleashed. By leveraging the working genius model, we help leaders, teams, and organizations move from confusion to clarity, from frustration to fulfillment. Whether you’re a leader at Orangetheory Fitness, a disruptive genius like Andrew Laffoon, or a member of the Table Group team, understanding your working genius, working competencies, and working frustrations is the key to unlocking greater potential and increased productivity. Our certified working genius facilitators and working genius certified facilitators are here to guide you on your journey of personal discovery, team development, and organizational health.

Conclusion: The Invitation to Unleash Your Genius

There is a quiet power in naming your genius, in honoring your innate talents, and in building a culture where every kind of genius is seen and valued. The 6 types of working genius are not just a personality test—they are a language for leadership development, organizational health, and true genius at work. When you align your work with your genius, you unlock greater potential, increased productivity, and deeper fulfillment. The journey begins with a single step: the willingness to see yourself—and your team—through a new lens. If you’re ready to explore your own genius, to build teams that thrive, and to create work that matters, we invite you to connect with us. Schedule a time to discuss your team with our CEO: https://tidycal.com/1v9o66m/vstoolkit

Your genius is needed. Your work matters. The 6 types of working genius are your map. The next step is yours.