“Unleashing the Six Genius Types: Beyond Traditional Assessments”

There comes a moment in every leader’s journey when the old ways of understanding people and teams simply stop working. Maybe it’s the third time a personality test lands on your desk, promising clarity but delivering only a handful of labels that never quite capture the spark you see in yourself or your team. Or perhaps it’s the quiet frustration of watching a brilliant colleague disengage, their true genius overlooked because it doesn’t fit the narrow definitions of traditional assessments. The world of work is changing, and so is our understanding of what makes people extraordinary.

Imagine the leader who has done everything by the book: invested in the working genius assessment, color-coded the org chart by type, and hosted workshops to boost morale. Yet, after a tough meeting, there’s a lingering sense that something essential is missing. The real genius—the energy that drives innovation, connection, and resilience—remains just out of reach, unmeasured and unnamed. If you’ve ever wondered why the most transformative qualities in yourself or your people seem invisible to the standard tests, you’re not alone. There’s a deeper story waiting to be told—one that honors the full spectrum of human brilliance, not just the slivers that fit neatly into a box. The 6 types of working genius offer a new lens, one that goes beyond the personality test and into the heart of what makes work meaningful.

When the Old Maps Stop Working

There’s a subtle but powerful cost to relying on narrow frameworks to define genius. We don’t just miss out on nuance—we risk misreading the very heart of what makes people extraordinary. The world doesn’t need more labels; it needs more understanding. Yet, in boardrooms and classrooms alike, we keep reaching for the same old maps, hoping they’ll reveal new territory. The working genius model, developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, challenges us to see beyond the surface and into the living energies that drive our best work.

Consider the quiet erosion that happens when someone’s true working genius goes unseen. A creative problem-solver is told they’re “not strategic enough.” A relationship-builder is nudged to “be more analytical.” Over time, these subtle misalignments add up—not just in lost engagement, but in lost trust. Teams fracture. Potential withers. The organization’s culture becomes a patchwork of missed opportunities and silent frustrations. Gallup’s research shows that only one in three employees feels their strengths are used every day at work. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a signal. When genius is misnamed or ignored, people disengage, innovation stalls, and the very energy that could propel a team forward is quietly drained away. The 6 types of working genius, when recognized, can reverse this trend and restore morale, fulfillment, and increased productivity.

This isn’t just about productivity or retention. It’s about dignity. It’s about seeing people as they truly are, not as the sum of their test results. Because when we expand our lens—when we dare to look beyond the traditional assessments—we don’t just unlock better performance. We unlock belonging, purpose, and the kind of genius that can’t be measured, only witnessed. The 6 types of working genius are a call to see the whole person, to honor the full spectrum of working competencies and working frustrations that shape our experience of work.

Reclaiming the Full Spectrum of Genius

What if the problem isn’t that we lack frameworks—but that our frameworks are too flat? Traditional assessments, for all their utility, often reduce us to a handful of traits, as if the human spirit could be captured in a pie chart. But genius, in its truest sense, is multidimensional. It’s not a static label; it’s a living, breathing force that shows up differently in every context, every relationship, every challenge. The 6 types of working genius invite us to move beyond static categories and into a dynamic understanding of human brilliance.

Let’s step into a new paradigm: the 6 types of working genius. Not as another set of boxes, but as a language for the energies that drive us. Imagine genius not as a rare gift, but as a set of distinct, essential ways of contributing—each with its own rhythm, its own signature, its own power. These types aren’t about what you do, but how you transform the world around you. Consider Maya, a leader who always seems to see connections others miss. In meetings, she weaves disparate ideas into a tapestry of possibility. Her genius isn’t just “creativity”—it’s Synthesis, a form of working genius that the working genius assessment might call Invention. Or think of Jordan, whose calm presence turns chaos into clarity. When others spiral, he grounds the room. His genius is Stabilization, a working competency that brings order and calm to complexity. These aren’t personality quirks; they’re core energies, often invisible to standard assessments, yet vital to the health of any team or organization.

The 6 types of working genius—Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity, and Wonder—are more than just categories. They are the foundation of the working genius model, a tool for leadership development, team development, and organizational health. Developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, and championed by certified working genius facilitators, this approach helps individuals and teams unlock greater potential, fulfillment, and success. The working genius framework is not just about tasks or roles; it’s about seeing the innate talents and working competencies that drive fulfillment and organizational health.

From Labels to Living Energies

The 6 types of working genius invite us to move beyond static categories and into a dynamic understanding of human brilliance. Each type represents a way of seeing, shaping, and serving the world:

• Invention: The ability to generate new ideas and solutions, the spark of true genius that ignites possibility.
• Discernment: The gift of uncanny judgment, seeing what will work and what won’t, often before others do.
• Galvanizing: The energy to rally others, to inspire action and momentum—turning ideas into movement.
• Enablement: The nurturing force that supports, assists, and helps others bring their ideas to life.
• Tenacity: The drive to push tasks to completion, ensuring that nothing is left unfinished.
• Wonder: The curiosity to ask big questions, to see what’s missing, and to imagine what could be.

These 6 types are not just skills—they’re ways of being. And when we recognize them, we begin to see working genius everywhere: in the quiet analyst who brings stability, in the passionate advocate who elevates the team’s purpose, in the mentor who cultivates growth in others. The working genius model, as described by Pat Lencioni and the Table Group team, gives us a vocabulary for what was once invisible. The 6 types of working genius are the foundation of true teamwork and increased productivity.

The Power of Naming What Was Once Invisible

There’s a quiet revolution that happens when someone’s working genius is finally named. It’s the moment a team member, long overlooked, hears their contribution described in a way that feels true. It’s the leader who realizes their “restlessness” is actually Galvanizing—the very energy that propels the team forward. When we name these energies, we don’t just validate individuals; we give teams a new vocabulary for collaboration, appreciation, and growth.

Take the story of a client, Sam, whose career had been marked by feedback that he was “too intense” or “always pushing.” In the language of the 6 types of working genius, Sam discovered his genius was Elevation—a blend of Galvanizing and Invention. Suddenly, what had been a source of frustration became a source of pride—and a tool for intentional leadership. His team learned to channel his energy, not resist it. The result? Greater trust, more innovation, and a culture where everyone’s genius had a place. This is the shift: from trying to fit people into old maps, to drawing new maps that honor the full landscape of human potential. When we do, we don’t just unleash genius—we unleash belonging, purpose, and the kind of transformation that no assessment can predict, but every leader can nurture.

The working genius framework is not just about tasks or roles; it’s about seeing the innate talents and working competencies that drive fulfillment and organizational health. The 6 types of working genius help individuals reclaim their true genius and find greater potential in their work. The working genius assessment, guided by a working genius certified facilitator or a certified working genius facilitator, can help you discover your innate talents, working competencies, and even your working frustrations.

Bringing Genius Into Focus: Your Personal Lens

Pause for a moment. Let the language of the 6 types of working genius settle—not as abstract theory, but as a living invitation. This is where the journey turns inward, where insight becomes self-recognition, and where the map you’ve just unfolded starts to illuminate your own path. Ask yourself: When do you feel most alive in your work? Not just competent, but electric—like you’re moving with the current, not against it. Is it when you’re connecting disparate ideas, calming a storm, sparking momentum, nurturing growth, revealing hidden truths, or lifting others to new heights? These moments are not accidents. They are clues—breadcrumbs leading you to your core working genius.

Consider the last time you felt misunderstood or undervalued. Was it possible that your genius was simply unnamed, or misread through the lens of someone else’s expectations? What if the very qualities you’ve been told to “dial down” are the ones your team or organization needs most—if only they could see them for what they are? The 6 types of working genius help individuals reclaim their true genius and find greater potential in their work. Here’s a gentle challenge: Over the next week, notice when you feel most energized and when you feel most drained. Who are you with? What are you doing? Which of the 6 types might be at play? Jot down your observations—not as a test, but as a practice in self-honoring. You might be surprised by what emerges.

And if you lead others, take this lens into your next conversation. Instead of asking, “What are your strengths?” try, “When do you feel your unique energy is most needed here?” Watch what happens when you give people permission to name—and claim—their working genius. The shift is subtle, but profound: a new sense of clarity, a deeper well of trust, and the beginnings of a culture where every kind of brilliance is not just welcomed, but celebrated. This is how transformation begins—not with a sweeping overhaul, but with a single, honest look in the mirror. The genius you seek is already here. The question is: Are you ready to see it?

Genius, Unlocked: What Changes When You See the Whole Picture

When you step beyond the boundaries of traditional assessments, something fundamental shifts—not just in how you see others, but in how you see yourself. The 6 types of working genius aren’t just a new vocabulary; they’re a new lens for leadership development, collaboration, and self-trust. They remind us that genius is not a rare exception, but a living current running through every team, every project, every person. Here’s what becomes possible when you choose to see—and name—what was once invisible:

• You stop managing labels and start nurturing energy. Instead of slotting people into roles, you invite them to bring their full, dynamic selves to the table. The working genius model helps teams move from working frustration to fulfillment.
• Feedback transforms from critique to recognition. Conversations shift from “what’s missing” to “what’s uniquely yours to give.” This is the heart of the working genius framework.
• Teams move from friction to flow. When each person’s working genius is honored, collaboration becomes less about compromise and more about synergy. The 6 types of working genius are the foundation of true teamwork and increased productivity.
• You reclaim your own sense of purpose. By naming your core genius, you find clarity in your contribution—and the courage to lead from it. This is the promise of the working genius assessment and the Table Group team’s approach to organizational health.

If you’re ready to integrate this new lens, try these next steps:

• Notice the energy, not just the output. In your next meeting, observe when the room feels most alive. Whose working genius is at play? How can you name and amplify it?
• Reflect on your own moments of flow. At the end of each day, jot down when you felt most engaged or most drained. Which of the 6 types of working genius was present—or missing?
• Invite new conversations. Ask your team, “When do you feel your unique energy is most needed here?” Listen for the genius beneath the words.
• Challenge old assumptions. When you catch yourself reaching for a familiar label, pause. Is there a deeper working genius waiting to be seen?
• Celebrate the unseen. Make it a practice to recognize not just achievements, but the energies that made them possible.

The real breakthrough isn’t in having a new framework—it’s in daring to see, name, and nurture the working genius that’s been there all along. When you do, you don’t just change your team. You change the story of what’s possible.

The 6 Types of Working Genius: A New Era for Teams and Leaders

The 6 types of working genius—Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity, and Wonder—are more than just categories. They are the foundation of the working genius model, a tool for leadership development, team development, and organizational health. Developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, and championed by certified working genius facilitators, this approach helps individuals and teams unlock greater potential, fulfillment, and success. Whether you’re a leader seeking to build morale, a team member looking for greater fulfillment, or an organization striving for increased productivity, the 6 types of working genius offer a roadmap. The working genius assessment, guided by a working genius certified facilitator or a certified working genius facilitator, can help you discover your innate talents, working competencies, and even your working frustrations.

From Orangetheory Fitness to Andrew Laffoon’s teams, disruptive geniuses are changing the way we work. The Table Group team, Pat Lencioni, and Patrick Lencioni have shown that when we honor the 6 types of working genius, we unlock not just productivity, but true genius, uncanny judgment, and the kind of teamwork that leads to lasting success. The 6 types of working genius are not just a thing to learn—they are a way to see, a way to lead, and a way to bring new ideas, talent, and greater potential to every corner of your work and life.

Vitaspark is one of the organizations championing this approach, helping individuals and teams discover their innate talents and working competencies, and guiding them through the process of personal discovery and team development. By focusing on the 6 types of working genius, Vitaspark empowers leaders and teams to move beyond working frustrations and into a space of fulfillment, morale, and increased productivity. The journey is not just about understanding the 6 types—it’s about unlocking the true genius within each person and creating a culture where every kind of brilliance is celebrated.

Integration: The Heart of Genius at Work

As you reflect on the 6 types of working genius, consider what it would mean to bring this lens into your daily work. What would change if you saw your colleagues not as a collection of tasks or roles, but as living embodiments of genius, each contributing their unique energy to the whole? How might your own sense of purpose shift if you named and claimed your core working genius? The invitation is simple, but profound: to see, name, and nurture the genius that’s been there all along.

Remember, the 6 types of working genius are not just a framework—they are a call to personal discovery, a roadmap to greater potential, and a guide to true fulfillment in work and life. Whether you’re navigating working frustrations, seeking new ideas, or striving for increased productivity, the journey begins with a single step: the willingness to see yourself and others through the lens of genius.

Let this be your moment of clarity. The genius you seek is already here—within you, within your team, within the work you do every day. The question is: Are you ready to see it, name it, and unleash it?

Connect and Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to explore how the 6 types of working genius can transform your team, your leadership, and your sense of fulfillment at work, we invite you to connect with us. Schedule a time to discuss your team with our CEO and begin your journey toward clarity, confidence, and greater potential. Book your session here.

Genius is not a rare thing. It’s the living current that runs through every person, every team, every organization. When you choose to see it, name it, and nurture it, you don’t just unlock productivity—you unlock belonging, purpose, and the kind of transformation that lasts. The next chapter of your work—and your life—begins with a single, courageous step. Let’s take it together.