“Unlocking Potential: Exploring the Dynamics of the Six Types of Working Genius”

There’s a moment in every workday when the energy shifts. The project is important, the team is capable, and yet, something feels off—as if the puzzle is missing a few crucial pieces. You might find yourself circling the same problem, feeling both restless and resigned. The spark that once fueled your ambition flickers, replaced by a quiet frustration: Why does this feel so much harder than it should?

Maybe you’ve watched a colleague light up in meetings, their new ideas sparking fresh directions, while you struggle to muster the same enthusiasm. Or perhaps you’re the one who thrives in the early stages, but lose momentum when it’s time to execute. In the background, a silent question lingers: Is it me? Is it the team? Or is there something deeper at play—some hidden pattern shaping how we work, connect, and create?

If any of this resonates, you’re not alone. Beneath the surface of every high-performing team and every ambitious leader lies a complex web of strengths, frustrations, and blind spots. The truth is, most of us have never been taught to name—or claim—the unique genius we bring to our work. We sense the gaps, but rarely understand their source. If you’ve ever wondered why some tasks drain you while others ignite you, or why certain collaborations feel effortless while others stall, exploring the 6 types of working genius might just be the missing piece.

The Cost of Unseen Genius

Every organization is a living mosaic—each person a distinct tile, shaped by their own blend of talents, quirks, and drives. Yet, when we overlook the true nature of our working genius, we risk building teams on shaky ground. The result? Misunderstandings masquerade as personality clashes. Burnout creeps in, not because people aren’t trying, but because they’re trying in the wrong ways. The most dangerous cost isn’t just lost productivity—it’s the slow erosion of trust, creativity, and engagement.

Consider the leader who quietly questions their own value because their strengths don’t match the “ideal” they see celebrated. Or the team member who’s labeled as difficult, when in reality, they’re simply miscast in a role that stifles their genius. These aren’t just individual struggles; they ripple outward, shaping culture, performance, and even retention. When working genius goes unnamed, potential goes untapped.

But there’s a deeper truth at play. When we fail to recognize the dynamics of the 6 types of working genius, we miss the opportunity to design work that feels both energizing and sustainable. We settle for “good enough” when extraordinary is possible. The difference between a team that survives and one that thrives often comes down to this: Do we see each other’s genius, or just our gaps? The answer shapes not only what we achieve, but how we feel along the way.

Naming the Genius: A New Lens on Team Dynamics

Imagine walking into a room where every person’s brilliance is visible—where the spark of ideation, the drive to discern, the urge to rally, and the satisfaction of completion are all honored as essential. This is the promise of the 6 types of working genius, a framework developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group that reframes how we see ourselves and each other at work. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to productivity, it offers a nuanced map: six distinct “geniuses” that fuel every successful project, from inception to execution.

The 6 types—Wonder, Discernment, Invention, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity—aren’t just labels. They’re invitations to see the hidden architecture of collaboration. Each genius plays a unique role in the creative process:

• Wonder asks the big questions, sensing what’s missing or what could be better.
• Discernment brings uncanny judgment and intuition, quickly sensing what will work and what won’t.
• Invention generates new ideas and solutions, thriving in the realm of possibility.
• Galvanizing rallies people to action, infusing energy and urgency into the mission.
• Enablement supports and assists, ensuring others have what they need to move forward.
• Tenacity drives projects to completion, ensuring nothing is left unfinished.

When you see these types of working genius in action, the fog of confusion begins to lift. Suddenly, the colleague who always asks “why” isn’t a naysayer—they’re a Wonder, sensing gaps others miss. The teammate who pushes for closure isn’t impatient—they’re a Tenacity, ensuring the work crosses the finish line. The friction that once felt personal now reveals itself as a natural byproduct of mismatched genius, not a flaw in character.

The Genius Gap: Where Frustration Breeds

But what happens when a team’s genius is lopsided—when certain types of working genius are missing or undervalued? This is where the real cost emerges. Projects stall in endless brainstorming when Invention is overrepresented but Tenacity is absent. Teams lose momentum when Galvanizing is missing, or spin their wheels in analysis when Wonder and Discernment dominate but no one is ready to act.

I once worked with a nonprofit leadership team that prided itself on vision and heart. Meetings were rich with possibility, but initiatives languished. Staff felt demoralized, wondering why nothing ever seemed to get done. When we mapped their working genius, the pattern was clear: Wonder and Invention were abundant, but Tenacity was nowhere to be found. The solution wasn’t to “try harder”—it was to honor the missing genius, to invite in those who found joy in finishing what others started.

This is the quiet revolution of the working genius model: it reframes frustration as feedback. Instead of blaming ourselves or others, we can ask, “Which genius is missing here?” The answer is rarely about effort or intent—it’s about alignment. The 6 types of working genius help us see that what looks like a motivation problem is often a missing piece of the puzzle, not a flaw in character or talent.

From Blind Spots to Brilliance: The Power of Naming

Naming your genius—and the genius of those around you—is more than an exercise in self-awareness. It’s a radical act of clarity. When teams know which types of working genius are present and which are missing, they can design workflows, assign roles, and set expectations with intention. Meetings become more focused. Collaboration becomes less fraught. The right people are invited to the right conversations at the right time.

But perhaps the most profound shift is internal. When you name your genius, you reclaim the parts of your work that feel effortless and energizing. You stop apologizing for what drains you, and start seeking out the spaces where you can contribute at your highest level. The guilt of not being “good at everything” gives way to the freedom of being great at what matters most. This is the heart of unlocking potential—not by forcing ourselves into roles that don’t fit, but by honoring the genius that’s already there, waiting to be seen.

Turning Insight Into Action: Mapping Your Own Genius

Pause for a moment and let the 6 types of working genius framework settle. It’s tempting to treat models like these as interesting theories—something to discuss in a workshop, then file away as “nice to know.” But the real transformation begins when you turn the lens inward, asking not just “What is my genius?” but “How does it show up in the rhythm of my days?”

Start by reflecting on your own workweek. Where do you feel most alive—curious, creative, or deeply satisfied? Is it in the early stages, when possibilities are endless? Or do you come alive when it’s time to rally the team, or see a project through to the finish? Notice, too, the moments that drain you. Is it the endless ideation, the pressure to decide, or the grind of follow-through? These emotional cues are breadcrumbs, pointing you toward your natural genius and your areas of working frustration.

Ask yourself:

• Which tasks do I look forward to, even when my plate is full?
• Where do I consistently lose energy or feel resistance?
• When have I felt most valued by my team—and what was I doing?
• Where do I find myself apologizing or compensating, rather than contributing with ease?

If you lead others, take this a step further. Consider your team’s recent projects. Where did momentum stall? Where did energy spike? Whose voices dominated, and whose were missing? Instead of defaulting to old narratives (“We just need to communicate better”), try mapping the types of working genius present—and absent—in the room. You may discover that what looked like a motivation problem was really a missing piece of the puzzle.

This is not about labeling or limiting yourself or others. It’s about reclaiming agency. When you know your genius, you can advocate for the work that lights you up—and seek support where you need it most. When you see the genius in others, you can invite their strengths to the table, transforming friction into fuel. The invitation is simple, but profound: Let your curiosity lead. Map your own genius. Name what’s missing. And begin, one conversation at a time, to build a culture where every kind of brilliance has a place.

The Mosaic of Brilliance: Integrating the Six Geniuses

When you step back and see the full picture, the 6 types of working genius aren’t just a framework—they’re a language for honoring what makes each of us essential. The real magic happens not in the theory, but in the daily practice of seeing, naming, and leveraging these differences. This is how teams move from friction to flow, from resignation to renewal.

The journey isn’t about becoming someone you’re not. It’s about giving yourself—and those around you—permission to show up as you are, and to contribute from your deepest well of energy. When you do, work stops feeling like a puzzle with missing pieces and starts to feel like a mosaic: every color, every shape, every genius in its right place.

Here’s what to carry forward as you integrate this insight:

• Notice the energy: Pay attention to when you feel most alive or most depleted. These moments are clues to your genius and your working frustrations.
• Map your team: Take inventory of which types of working genius are present and which are missing. Use this map to guide how you assign roles, structure meetings, and approach new projects.
• Reframe friction: When tension arises, pause and ask, “Is this a clash of genius, or a gap?” Shift from blame to curiosity.
• Invite missing voices: Proactively seek out the genius that’s absent. If your team is stuck, ask who could bring the energy you need—whether it’s Wonder’s big questions or Tenacity’s drive to finish.
• Celebrate strengths openly: Make it a habit to name and appreciate the unique contributions each person brings. Recognition isn’t just a morale booster—it’s a catalyst for trust and engagement.

The path to unlocking greater potential isn’t about fixing what’s broken. It’s about seeing what’s already brilliant, and building the courage to let it shine. When you do, you don’t just change the way you work—you change the way you see yourself, your team, and what’s possible together.

The Science and Practice Behind the 6 Types of Working Genius

The 6 types of working genius, as outlined by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, are not just another personality test. They are a practical tool for leadership development, organizational health, and team development. Unlike many assessments, the working genius assessment is designed to reveal your innate talents and working competencies, not just your preferences. This distinction is crucial: your genius is where you find fulfillment and energy, while your working competency is where you can perform well, but without the same spark.

The working genius model is built on the understanding that every individual has two areas of true genius, two areas of working competency, and two areas of working frustration. This nuanced approach allows teams to move beyond surface-level labels and into a deeper conversation about talent, fulfillment, and increased productivity. As a certified working genius facilitator or working genius certified facilitator, you can help teams and individuals unlock their greater potential and transform the way they approach work.

Real-World Impact: From Orangetheory Fitness to Andrew Laffoon

Organizations like Orangetheory Fitness and leaders such as Andrew Laffoon have leveraged the 6 types of working genius to drive success, boost morale, and foster teamwork. By understanding the types of working genius present on their teams, they have been able to harness disruptive geniuses, encourage new ideas, and create a culture of personal discovery and fulfillment. The Table Group team, under the guidance of Pat Lencioni and Patrick Lencioni, has seen firsthand how the working genius framework can lead to increased productivity, organizational health, and lasting success.

Whether you’re an individual seeking greater fulfillment, a leader aiming for better team development, or a certified working genius facilitator guiding others, the 6 types of working genius offer a roadmap to true genius, uncanny judgment, and the kind of teamwork that transforms organizations from the inside out. The working genius assessment is a powerful tool for personal discovery, helping individuals and teams identify their innate talents and working competencies, and move beyond working frustrations to achieve greater potential.

Vitaspark: Igniting the Genius Within

At Vitaspark, we believe that every individual and team holds a unique spark of genius waiting to be unleashed. By integrating the 6 types of working genius into our approach, we help organizations move beyond surface-level fixes and into the heart of what drives fulfillment, productivity, and lasting success. Our work is rooted in the conviction that when you honor your true genius—and the genius of those around you—you unlock not just better results, but a deeper sense of connection, confidence, and clarity.

We’ve seen firsthand how the working genius framework transforms teams, reignites morale, and turns friction into fuel for innovation. Whether you’re navigating leadership development, seeking organizational health, or simply wanting to bring more energy and purpose to your work, the 6 types of working genius offer a path forward. The journey begins with a single step: the willingness to see, name, and celebrate the genius within yourself and your team.

Integration and Invitation

The 6 types of working genius are more than a framework—they are a call to action. They invite us to move beyond frustration and into a space of greater potential, where every individual’s innate talents are recognized and valued. When you embrace your genius, you reclaim your energy, your confidence, and your sense of purpose. When you honor the genius in others, you build teams that are resilient, creative, and capable of extraordinary things.

This is the promise of the working genius model: a way to transform not just how we work, but how we see ourselves and each other. The journey is ongoing, and the rewards are profound—greater fulfillment, increased productivity, and a culture where every kind of brilliance has a place. If you’re ready to unlock the next level of your team’s potential, the invitation is simple: connect with us, and let’s explore what’s possible together.

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Every day is a new chance to honor your genius, to invite new ideas, and to build the kind of teamwork that transforms not just your work, but your life. The mosaic is waiting. Let your spark shine.