“Unleashing the Hidden Gems: Six Secrets to Working Genius”

There’s a moment in every career when the spark behind the smile begins to fade. You show up, you deliver, you check the boxes, but something essential is missing. The work that once felt like a calling now feels like a grind. The laughter in meetings sounds distant, and even your own achievements blur into the background noise of “just getting through.” For one high-performing leader, it was the Monday morning ritual: coffee in hand, inbox overflowing, and a calendar packed with back-to-back calls. She was the person others leaned on, but inside, she felt like she was running a marathon in shoes that didn’t fit—capable, but never quite comfortable. She wondered if she was losing her edge, or if there was something about the work itself that was quietly draining her. If any part of that story feels familiar—if you’ve ever questioned whether your best contributions are being seen, or if you’re simply surviving the week—this is the conversation you’ve been waiting for.

The Cost of Misaligned Genius

It’s easy to dismiss that quiet fatigue as just another symptom of a busy life. But what if it’s something deeper—a signal that your true genius is being overlooked, or worse, misapplied? When we operate outside our natural zones of genius, the cost isn’t just personal exhaustion. It’s a slow erosion of engagement, creativity, and trust—both in ourselves and within our teams. Research from the table group and leadership development experts like Patrick Lencioni and Pat Lencioni shows that when people spend too much time in roles that don’t align with their innate talents, burnout isn’t just likely—it’s inevitable. Teams lose their spark. Innovation stalls. The workplace becomes a stage for silent resignation, where people do what’s required but rarely what’s possible. The hidden toll? Lost potential, missed opportunities, and a culture where “good enough” quietly replaces greatness.

But the stakes are even higher than productivity or profit. When your genius is unseen or underutilized, it chips away at your sense of purpose. You start to question your value, your fit, even your future. And for leaders, the ripple effect is profound: when you can’t see or harness the unique genius in yourself or your people, you risk building teams that look good on paper but never quite come alive. This isn’t just about working harder or smarter. It’s about working true—unlocking the hidden gems within yourself and those around you, so that energy, fulfillment, and impact become the new normal.

Reclaiming the Spark: The 6 Types of Working Genius

Imagine, for a moment, that your work is a symphony. Every person, every role, every project is a note in a larger composition. But what if you’ve been handed the wrong instrument? What if, instead of playing to your strengths, you’re straining to hit notes that were never meant for you? This is the silent struggle of misaligned genius—a struggle that ends the moment you discover the 6 types of working genius that shape how we contribute, create, and thrive.

The working genius model, developed by Patrick Lencioni and the table group team, reveals that every person brings a unique blend of six core gifts to their work: Wonder, Discernment, Invention, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity. These 6 types of working genius are essential. Each is powerful. But not all are meant to be your primary stage. The secret isn’t to master them all—it’s to know which types of working genius are yours, and to honor them fiercely. Let’s step into the heart of each genius, not as abstract concepts, but as living, breathing energies that can transform the way you work—and the way you lead.

The Genius of Wonder: The Unasked Question

Some individuals are born with a restless curiosity—a hunger to ask, “What if?” and “Why not?” They see gaps, sense possibilities, and refuse to accept the status quo. In a world obsessed with answers, the Genius of Wonder is the rare gift of asking the right questions. For one executive, this genius showed up as a quiet discomfort in meetings where everyone rushed to solutions. She’d find herself lingering on the “what’s missing?”—not to stall progress, but to ensure the team wasn’t solving the wrong problem. When this genius is ignored, organizations leap before they look. But when it’s honored, innovation and new ideas have room to breathe. The working genius framework recognizes that Wonder is not just a personality test result—it’s a vital part of the 6 types of working genius that fuels greater potential and organizational health.

The Genius of Discernment: The Inner Compass

Discernment is the subtle art of sensing what will work and what won’t—often before there’s data to prove it. It’s intuition, honed by experience, that cuts through noise and finds the signal. This is the genius of uncanny judgment. A client once described his role as “the team’s tuning fork.” He couldn’t always explain why, but he knew when an idea was off-key. For years, he dismissed this as indecision. Only later did he realize: his genius was the ability to see patterns others missed, to steer the ship before it hit the rocks. When Discernment is sidelined, teams chase every shiny object. When it’s valued, they move with confidence and clarity. The working genius model, as outlined by Patrick Lencioni and the table group, places Discernment at the heart of effective leadership development and team development. Uncanny judgment is not just a gift—it’s a necessity for success and increased productivity.

The Genius of Invention: The Creative Spark

Invention is the joy of building something from nothing. It’s the spark that turns a blank page into a blueprint, a problem into a possibility. Inventors thrive on originality—they’re the ones who ask, “How might we?” and then roll up their sleeves to find out. This is the genius that brings new ideas to life. But here’s the shadow: in organizations that prize efficiency over creativity, Inventors can feel like misfits. One founder shared how her best ideas came during “unproductive” hours—walks, doodles, daydreams. When she stopped apologizing for her process and started protecting it, her team’s breakthroughs multiplied. Invention isn’t a luxury; it’s the engine of progress and increased productivity. The 6 types of working genius remind us that invention is not just about creativity—it’s about honoring the true genius within each of us, and recognizing that new ideas are the seeds of greater potential.

The Genius of Galvanizing: The Rallying Cry

Galvanizers are the catalysts—the ones who turn ideas into action by inspiring others to join the cause. They see potential, ignite enthusiasm, and refuse to let momentum stall. This is the genius that transforms vision into movement. A team lead once confessed: “I thought my job was to keep everyone happy. But my real genius was getting people moving—sometimes out of their comfort zones.” When Galvanizing is misunderstood, it can look like impatience or pushiness. But when it’s embraced, teams find their rhythm, and projects leap from planning to progress. The working genius framework highlights Galvanizing as one of the 6 types of working genius that is essential for team development, morale, and organizational health. Without galvanizing, even the best ideas remain dormant, and the energy of the team never fully ignites.

The Genius of Enablement: The Quiet Power

Enablement is the gift of support—of seeing what others need and stepping in to help, not for credit, but for collective success. Enablers are the glue that holds teams together, the steady hands that turn vision into reality. This is the genius that ensures no one is left behind. Too often, Enablement is mistaken for passivity. But in truth, it’s a form of leadership that’s as vital as any. One manager, long overlooked for promotion, discovered her genius wasn’t in leading the charge, but in making sure no one was left behind. When Enablement is celebrated, teams become resilient, adaptable, and deeply connected. The 6 types of working genius, as described by the table group team, show that enablement is not just a working competency—it’s a cornerstone of teamwork, morale, and organizational health. Enablement is the thing that transforms a group of individuals into a true team.

The Genius of Tenacity: The Finisher’s Fire

Tenacity is the relentless drive to see things through—to push past obstacles, close the loop, and deliver results. Tenacious people are the finishers, the ones who turn “almost” into “done.” This is the genius that brings projects to completion and ensures success. A project manager once told me, “I’m not the idea person. I’m the one who makes sure the idea actually happens.” For years, she felt invisible—until her team realized that without her, nothing crossed the finish line. Tenacity isn’t just about grit; it’s about honoring the promise of completion. The working genius model, as championed by Patrick Lencioni and Pat Lencioni, places Tenacity among the 6 types of working genius that are essential for fulfillment, increased productivity, and organizational health. Tenacity is the thing that ensures every idea, every project, and every goal reaches the finish line.

The Real Shift: From Shame to Genius

Here’s the truth most of us never hear: You’re not supposed to be great at everything. The exhaustion you feel isn’t a flaw—it’s a clue. When you discover your 6 types of working genius, you stop apologizing for what drains you and start doubling down on what lights you up. You become a force—not just for productivity, but for possibility. And when teams learn to see and celebrate each other’s genius? That’s when the real magic happens. Work stops being a grind and starts becoming a place where everyone’s hidden gems can finally shine. The working genius assessment is not just another personality test—it’s a map to your true genius, your working competencies, and your working frustrations. When you understand your working genius, you unlock greater potential for yourself and your team.

Turning Insight Into Action: Your Genius, Your Map

Pause for a moment. Let the 6 types of working genius settle in your mind—not as abstract labels, but as living parts of you. Which types of working genius felt like a homecoming? Which ones sparked a quiet ache, a longing to be seen for what you truly bring? This is where the journey shifts from understanding to ownership. Ask yourself: Where, in your daily work, do you feel most alive—curious, energized, in flow? Is it when you’re dreaming up new possibilities, sensing the right path, rallying the team, quietly supporting others, or driving projects to completion? Notice, too, the places where your energy leaks away. Are you forcing yourself to invent when you long to enable? Are you pushing for tenacity when your real gift is wonder? This isn’t about self-judgment. It’s about self-honesty. The most powerful leaders and fulfilled professionals aren’t those who do it all—they’re the ones who know where they shine, and who build their days, teams, and boundaries around that truth.

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

• Reflect on a recent project or week. When did you feel most “in your genius”? When did you feel drained or out of sync? These are clues to your working genius and your working frustrations.
• Share your discoveries with a trusted colleague or mentor. Ask them what genius they see in you—sometimes, others spot our gifts before we do. This is a key step in personal discovery and team development.
• Look at your calendar for the week ahead. Where can you make even a small shift to spend more time in your zones of genius? What can you delegate, reframe, or approach differently? Even a small change in tasks can lead to increased productivity and fulfillment.

Remember: honoring your genius isn’t selfish. It’s the most generous thing you can do for your team, your organization, and yourself. When you work true, you give others permission to do the same. And that’s how hidden gems become the foundation of extraordinary work. The working genius assessment, especially when guided by a working genius certified facilitator or certified working genius facilitator, can help you and your team discover your unique blend of the 6 types of working genius and unlock your greater potential.

From Hidden Gems to Everyday Brilliance

The journey through the 6 types of working genius isn’t just a tour of personality types—it’s a call to reclaim the parts of ourselves that have too long been sidelined, misunderstood, or quietly dismissed. When you see your own genius clearly, the fog of self-doubt begins to lift. When you honor the genius in others, you unlock a new level of trust, collaboration, and possibility. This isn’t about chasing perfection or trying to be everything to everyone. It’s about building a life and a team where your best energy is not just welcomed, but needed. The shift is subtle but seismic: from tolerating your work to being transformed by it. From feeling like a cog in the machine to realizing you are, in fact, the spark.

Let these truths settle in:

• Your unique blend of genius is not an accident—it’s your greatest asset. The 6 types of working genius are the foundation of your true genius.
• Misalignment isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a signal to realign, not a reason to push harder. Working frustrations are clues, not verdicts.
• Teams that honor every genius don’t just perform better—they become places where people want to belong. This is the heart of organizational health and teamwork.

If you’re ready to integrate what you’ve discovered, start here:

• Name your top two types of working genius. Write them down. Say them out loud. Claim them as your superpowers. This is the first step in personal discovery and leadership development.
• Notice your frustrations. When you feel drained, ask: “Is this work outside my genius?” Use frustration as a compass, not a verdict. This is how you identify your working frustrations and working competencies.
• Start a conversation. Invite your team or a trusted peer to explore their own 6 types of working genius. Share stories, not just scores. This is the foundation of team development and increased productivity.
• Redesign one small thing. Shift a meeting, a project, or a responsibility to better fit your genius—or someone else’s. Watch what happens to morale and fulfillment.
• Celebrate progress, not perfection. Every step toward alignment is a win. Honor the moments when you or your team light up. This is the essence of organizational health and success.

The real magic isn’t in knowing the 6 types of working genius—it’s in living them, day by day, choice by choice. When you do, you don’t just unleash hidden gems. You build a culture where brilliance is the norm, not the exception. You were meant to shine, and so was your team. Vitaspark is here to help you discover, honor, and unleash your true genius—because when you work true, you create a ripple effect of confidence, clarity, connection, leadership, and balance that transforms everything.

Ready to Unleash Your Genius?

You have the power to change the way you work, lead, and live. The 6 types of working genius are not just a framework—they are a roadmap to greater potential, fulfillment, and success. If you’re ready to explore your own genius, align your team, and unlock the hidden gems within your organization, we invite you to connect with us. Schedule a time to discuss your team with our CEO: Book your conversation here. Your next chapter of confidence, clarity, and connection begins now.