“Unlock the Genius Within: Diversifying Your Team Through the Six Archetypes of Working Genius”

It’s late afternoon, and the meeting room is full—but the air is thin. Around the table, familiar faces nod in agreement, echoing the same ideas, circling the same safe solutions. There’s a comfort in the sameness, but also a quiet ache—a sense that something essential is missing. Maybe it’s the spark of a new perspective, the challenge that pushes the team beyond the obvious, or the steady hand that turns vision into reality. Instead, the conversation drifts, and the real breakthroughs remain just out of reach.

Perhaps you’ve noticed it in the subtle ways: the project that never quite gets off the ground, the brainstorming session that fizzles, the unspoken frustration when one person shoulders the weight of follow-through while others disengage. There’s a longing for more—more creativity, more momentum, more meaning. But the path to that “more” isn’t always clear, especially when everyone seems to be working hard, doing their best, and yet the results feel flat.

If any part of this rings true, you’re not alone. Many leaders and teams find themselves stuck in this quiet rut, wondering why their collective effort doesn’t add up to something greater. If you’ve ever sensed that your team’s true potential is just beneath the surface—waiting for the right spark—exploring the 6 types of working genius might be the key you’ve been searching for.

Beyond Hard Work: The Hidden Cost of Homogeneous Genius

It’s tempting to believe that effort alone should yield results—that if everyone is committed, the team will naturally thrive. But what if the real issue isn’t a lack of dedication, but a lack of diversity in how genius shows up? When every voice in the room echoes the same strengths, blind spots multiply in the shadows. The cost isn’t always loud or dramatic. It’s the slow erosion of innovation, the missed opportunities that slip quietly by, the fatigue that settles in when a few carry the weight of what many could share.

Research in organizational psychology and leadership development is clear: teams that lack cognitive diversity—differences in how people think, solve problems, and create—are more prone to groupthink, stagnation, and burnout. When the same archetype dominates, the team’s collective vision narrows. The “how” and “why” of work become rigid, and the team’s ability to adapt, imagine, and execute suffers. Over time, this isn’t just a performance issue; it’s a culture issue. Trust frays, engagement wanes, and the sense of shared purpose dissolves.

But the stakes are even higher than missed KPIs or delayed projects. When teams don’t honor the full spectrum of working genius, individuals begin to question their own value. The quiet innovator feels unseen. The relentless finisher feels alone. The dreamer, the doer, the challenger—each wonders if there’s truly a place for their unique contribution. The result? Not just lost productivity, but lost potential. And in a world that demands agility and creativity, that’s a cost no team can afford.

The Six Doors to Genius: Seeing What’s Been Missing

Imagine your team as a house with six doors, each leading to a different room of possibility. For too long, perhaps, you’ve been crowding through just one or two—never realizing the treasures waiting behind the others. The 6 types of working genius, developed by patrick lencioni and the table group, name these six doors: Wonder, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity, and Invention. Each is a distinct archetype, a way of working that, when honored, unlocks a different kind of genius.

Let’s step through them, not as a checklist, but as a living map of what your team could become. The 6 types of working genius are not just labels—they are invitations to see the full spectrum of talent and energy within your team. Each type of working genius brings a unique contribution, and when all six types are present, the team’s potential multiplies.

The Genius of Wonder: The Unasked Question

Every breakthrough begins with a question no one else thought to ask. The Genius of Wonder is the team member who sees what’s missing, who senses possibility in the gaps, who sits with ambiguity long enough to imagine something better. In many teams, this genius is overlooked—dismissed as a dreamer or a skeptic. But without Wonder, teams lose their capacity to reimagine, to challenge the status quo, to see beyond the horizon.

Consider a client, Maya, who always seemed restless in meetings, her mind wandering while others dove into details. For years, her “what if” questions were met with impatience. But when her organization finally paused to listen, they realized her questions were the seeds of their next big pivot. Wonder isn’t a distraction—it’s the birthplace of new ideas and innovation.

The Genius of Discernment: The Inner Compass

Some people have an uncanny judgment, an ability to sense what will work and what won’t. The Genius of Discernment is the intuitive evaluator, the one who can cut through noise and spot the signal. They don’t just analyze—they “feel” the rightness of an idea, often before there’s data to prove it. In teams where Discernment is missing, decisions drag on or veer off course. But when it’s present, the path forward becomes clearer, faster.

I recall a leadership team where every idea was celebrated, but few were ever chosen. It wasn’t until they recognized and empowered their Discerners—those who could gently but firmly say, “This isn’t quite right”—that their strategy sessions became focused and fruitful. Discernment isn’t about criticism; it’s about wisdom in motion and the kind of working genius that brings clarity to the table. Uncanny judgment is a rare gift, and when it’s honored, teams move with confidence.

The Genius of Invention: The Creative Spark

Invention is the engine of originality. It’s the genius that loves to build, tinker, and create from scratch. Inventors thrive on the blank page, the unsolved problem, the challenge no one else wants. But in teams that prize only execution, Invention can be stifled—its wild ideas dismissed as impractical or distracting.

One team I worked with had a brilliant inventor, Sam, whose ideas often seemed outlandish. But when the team learned to listen—really listen—they discovered that Sam’s “crazy” ideas were often the starting point for their most successful projects. Invention isn’t chaos; it’s the raw material of progress and the foundation for new ideas and greater potential. The 6 types of working genius ensure that invention is not just tolerated, but celebrated.

The Genius of Galvanizing: The Spark Plug

Every team needs someone who can rally the troops, ignite energy, and turn ideas into movement. The Genius of Galvanizing is the motivator, the one who says, “Let’s go!” and means it. Without Galvanizing, even the best ideas languish in the realm of “someday.” But with it, momentum becomes contagious.

I’ve seen teams with brilliant plans stall for months—until a galvanizer stepped in, reframed the vision, and inspired action. Galvanizing isn’t just cheerleading; it’s the art of mobilizing hearts and hands toward a shared goal, a true genius that transforms intention into action. The 6 types of working genius are incomplete without galvanizing energy to move things forward.

The Genius of Enablement: The Quiet Catalyst

Enablement is the genius of support—the person who says, “How can I help?” and means it. They turn vision into reality by clearing obstacles, offering encouragement, and making sure no one is left behind. In many organizations, Enablement is undervalued, mistaken for mere “helpfulness.” But without it, teams fracture, and execution falters.

A client, Jordan, was always the first to volunteer, the one who made sure everyone had what they needed. For years, this was taken for granted—until a major project nearly collapsed from lack of follow-through. It was Jordan’s steady presence that held the team together. Enablement isn’t weakness; it’s the glue that binds genius into action and ensures that every task is completed. The 6 types of working genius highlight enablement as a core strength, not an afterthought.

The Genius of Tenacity: The Finisher’s Fire

Finally, there is Tenacity—the genius of completion. These are the finishers, the closers, the ones who refuse to let things drop. Tenacity is the difference between a great idea and a finished product. Without it, teams start strong but fizzle out, leaving a trail of half-done projects and unmet promises.

I remember a team that prided itself on creativity but struggled to deliver. It wasn’t until they recognized and celebrated their tenacious members—those who quietly pushed projects across the finish line—that their reputation shifted from “big ideas” to “big results.” Tenacity isn’t just persistence; it’s the discipline that transforms vision into value and ensures that every task is seen through to completion. The 6 types of working genius are only complete when tenacity is present to bring things home.

The Real Shift: From Roles to Genius

The true power of the 6 types of working genius isn’t just in naming these archetypes—it’s in seeing them as essential, not optional. Every team needs all six. When you stop trying to fit people into rigid roles and start honoring their genius, something remarkable happens: energy rises, trust deepens, and the work becomes not just productive, but alive.

This is the shift: from sameness to synergy, from exhaustion to engagement, from potential to performance. The question is no longer, “Who’s doing the work?” but “Whose genius are we missing?” And that, more than any process or tool, is the key to unlocking the genius within your team. The 6 types of working genius are a living map, not a static chart. When you honor each type, you create a culture where every individual’s innate talents are valued and every task finds its champion.

Inviting Genius: Turning Insight Into Action

Pause for a moment and look around your team—not just at the titles or the org chart, but at the living, breathing people who show up every day. What do you see? More importantly, what might you be missing? The journey from understanding the 6 types of working genius to actually transforming your team begins with a willingness to see with new eyes. It’s not about labeling or boxing people in; it’s about inviting each person’s unique genius to the table, and making space for what’s been overlooked.

Start by reflecting on your own experience. Which of these six archetypes feels most like home to you? Where do you find energy, ease, and flow in your work? And just as crucial—where do you feel drained, frustrated, or out of sync? These aren’t just personal quirks; they’re clues to your own working genius and your working frustrations. If you’re a natural Galvanizer, do you find yourself impatient when others hesitate? If you’re gifted in Wonder, do you feel dismissed when the team rushes to action? Notice these patterns, not as flaws, but as invitations to deeper understanding.

Now, extend that curiosity to your team. Ask yourself:

• Who consistently asks the questions that no one else thinks to ask?
• Who has a knack for sensing what will work, even when the path isn’t clear?
• Who brings wild ideas, and who quietly makes sure things get done?
• Who rallies the group, and who supports from behind the scenes?

If you’re not sure, consider inviting your team into a conversation about the 6 types of working genius. Share the working genius model, and ask each person where they see themselves. You might be surprised by what emerges—hidden strengths, unspoken frustrations, and new possibilities for collaboration. The goal isn’t to “fix” anyone, but to honor the full spectrum of genius that’s already present, waiting to be seen.

This is where the real shift happens: when you move from theory to practice, from insight to invitation. When you begin to see your team not as a collection of interchangeable parts, but as a mosaic of genius—each piece essential, each contribution irreplaceable. The next step is yours to take.

Genius in Action: What Lasts When the Meeting Ends

When the last agenda item is checked off and the room empties, what remains isn’t just the memory of a productive meeting—it’s the subtle, lasting shift in how you see yourself and your team. The 6 types of working genius aren’t just a framework; they’re a lens that reveals the hidden architecture of collaboration, creativity, and trust. If you’ve read this far, you already sense that the real work isn’t about adding another tool to your leadership kit. It’s about changing the way you honor human potential—starting with your own.

Here’s what endures when you lead with genius in mind:

• Diversity isn’t just demographic—it’s cognitive. The most resilient, innovative teams are those that make space for every kind of genius, not just the loudest or most familiar.
• Blind spots are inevitable, but they don’t have to be fatal. When you know which archetypes are missing, you can invite them in—before stagnation or burnout take root.
• Genius is not a solo act. The magic happens in the interplay—when Wonder meets Tenacity, when Invention is grounded by Enablement, when Galvanizing and Discernment dance together.
• Your own frustrations are clues, not flaws. Where you feel drained or unseen, you’re being called to honor your genius—and to seek out the genius of others.
• Transformation starts with a single, honest conversation. The courage to ask, “Whose genius are we missing?” is the first step toward a team that is not just effective, but alive.

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

• Map your team’s 6 types of working genius—formally or informally. Notice where energy flows and where it stalls.
• Invite each team member to share when they feel most “in flow” at work. Listen for the language of genius.
• Identify one project or process that’s stuck. Ask: Which genius is missing from this effort? Who could you invite in?
• Celebrate the quiet catalysts and the finishers, not just the visionaries and motivators. Make recognition a habit, not an afterthought.
• Commit to one change—however small—that honors a neglected genius on your team this month.

The genius within your team is not a fixed asset; it’s a living, breathing force. When you choose to see it, name it, and nurture it, you don’t just unlock potential—you create a culture where everyone can thrive. Vitaspark has seen firsthand how the 6 types of working genius can transform not just teams, but entire organizations, by honoring every individual’s innate talents and working competencies.

The Science and Practice of the 6 Types of Working Genius

The 6 types of working genius, as outlined by patrick lencioni and the table group, are not just theoretical—they are grounded in years of research and practical application. The working genius assessment, developed by pat lencioni and his team, is more than a personality test; it’s a tool for personal discovery, team development, and organizational health. Unlike traditional personality tests, the working genius assessment focuses on how individuals contribute to work, what tasks energize them, and where they experience working frustration.

The working genius model identifies three key zones: working genius, working competency, and working frustration. Your working genius is where you find fulfillment and flow; your working competency is where you can perform well, but it doesn’t energize you; and your working frustration is where you feel drained or disengaged. Recognizing these zones is essential for leaders, individuals, and teams who want to maximize talent, increase productivity, and foster greater potential.

Certified working genius facilitators and working genius certified facilitators are trained to help teams and organizations implement the working genius framework. Whether you’re part of the table group team, Orangetheory Fitness, or a startup led by Andrew Laffoon, understanding the 6 types of working genius can transform your approach to teamwork, leadership development, and success. The table group team has seen the impact of the working genius framework in organizations of all sizes, from Orangetheory Fitness to innovative startups like those led by Andrew Laffoon.

From Insight to Impact: The Lasting Value of the 6 Types of Working Genius

The 6 types of working genius are more than labels—they are a roadmap to increased productivity, fulfillment, and organizational health. When you honor each type of working genius, you create space for disruptive geniuses, nurture innate talents, and unlock the true genius within your team. Whether you’re focused on leadership development, team development, or personal discovery, the working genius framework offers a path to greater potential, success, and lasting morale.

By embracing the 6 types of working genius, you move beyond surface-level teamwork and tap into the deeper currents of talent, energy, and fulfillment. The table group, pat lencioni, and leaders like Andrew Laffoon have shown that when you align work with genius, you don’t just get things done—you create something extraordinary. The working genius model is a living testament to the power of honoring every individual’s working competencies and innate talents, and the results are seen in increased productivity, higher morale, and true organizational health.

Vitaspark believes that the journey to greater potential begins with a single step: the willingness to see, name, and nurture the genius within yourself and your team. The 6 types of working genius are not just a framework—they are a call to action, an invitation to create a culture where every individual can thrive, every idea can find its champion, and every team can achieve lasting success.

Take the Next Step: Connect and Unlock Your Team’s Genius

The power to change is already within you. Confidence, clarity, connection, leadership, and balance are not distant goals—they are the natural result of honoring the 6 types of working genius in your team and yourself. If you’re ready to explore how the working genius framework can transform your team, invite a conversation. Connect with us and take the first step toward a culture of true genius, increased productivity, and lasting morale. Schedule a time to discuss your team with our CEO.

Your team’s genius is waiting to be seen, celebrated, and set free. The next chapter of your success story begins with a single, courageous step. Let’s take it together.