“Unlocking Potential: Exploring the Six Dimensions of Working Genius”

There’s a moment in every career when the spark that once made work feel alive begins to fade. Maybe it’s the Monday morning meeting where your ideas seem to fall flat, or the project that drags on, each task feeling heavier than the last. You watch colleagues light up in ways you can’t quite access, and a quiet question stirs: Am I missing something? Is there a part of me that’s just not built for this? The answer may lie in understanding the 6 types of working genius—a framework that goes far beyond a personality test, offering a new lens for fulfillment, productivity, and greater potential at work.

When the Spark Fades: The Hidden Cost of Misalignment

For some, the frustration comes from being asked to brainstorm when what you crave is clarity and a plan. For others, it’s the exhaustion of endless details when your mind longs to dream and invent. The disconnect isn’t just about skills or effort—it’s about energy, about the invisible current that either fuels your best work or leaves you running on empty. The 6 types of working genius, as described by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, offer a new way to understand why certain tasks drain you while others make you come alive.

If you’ve ever wondered why some types of working genius feel like a second skin while others feel like a straitjacket, or why collaboration sometimes feels like speaking different languages, you’re not alone. There’s a deeper story beneath the surface of productivity and performance—a story about genius, not in the sense of IQ, but in the unique way each of us is wired to contribute. If any of this resonates, what follows might just be the missing piece you’ve been searching for.

Beyond Burnout: The True Cost of Misaligned Work

It’s easy to dismiss fatigue at work as a byproduct of a busy season or a tough project. But what if the real culprit isn’t the volume of work, but the misalignment between your natural genius and the demands of your role? When we spend our days operating outside our innate talents, the cost is more than just tiredness—it’s a slow erosion of engagement, confidence, and even self-worth. Research shows that disengagement at work is at an all-time high, with Gallup reporting that nearly 70% of employees feel disconnected from their jobs. But beneath the statistics lies a more personal truth: when we’re forced to operate in modes that don’t fit us, we begin to question our value. The spark dims, not because we lack ability, but because we’re not being asked to bring our true genius to the table. This is where the 6 types of working genius become more than a model—they become a roadmap for fulfillment and increased productivity.

This isn’t just a personal struggle—it’s a team and organizational one. When people are mismatched to their work, collaboration suffers. Meetings become battlegrounds of misunderstanding. Projects stall as energy wanes. The hidden cost is trust: trust in ourselves, in our colleagues, and in the very mission we’re working toward. Left unchecked, this misalignment can quietly sabotage even the most talented teams, turning potential into frustration and innovation into inertia. Understanding the 6 types of working genius isn’t just about feeling better at work—it’s about reclaiming the energy, clarity, and connection that come from knowing, honoring, and leveraging what makes each of us come alive. The stakes are higher than productivity; they’re about the very heart of why we work, and how we thrive.

The Map of Genius: Six Paths to Meaningful Work

Imagine for a moment that every thriving team, every breakthrough project, is powered not by a single kind of brilliance, but by a constellation of distinct energies—each essential, each irreplaceable. This is the promise of the working genius model: that there are six unique ways people are wired to contribute, and that true momentum happens when each is seen, valued, and put to work. Let’s step into these 6 types of working genius—not as abstract labels, but as living, breathing forces that shape the way we experience our days.

The Genius of Wonder: The Spark of Possibility

Some individuals are natural questioners. They see what is and instinctively ask, “What if?” or “Why not?” The Genius of Wonder is the birthplace of vision. It’s the quiet pause before the storm, the person in the room who senses what’s missing or dreams of what could be. In organizations, this genius is often overlooked—mistaken for distraction or skepticism. But without it, teams risk stagnation, missing the subtle signals that point to new ideas or hidden problems. Consider Maya, a client who always seemed restless in meetings. Her colleagues saw her as unfocused, but in truth, she was the one who noticed when the team’s solutions didn’t address the real need. When her gift for asking deeper questions was finally recognized, her team’s projects shifted from incremental improvements to genuine innovation. This is the power of honoring the types of working genius.

The Genius of Discernment: The Instinct for What Works

Where Wonder asks, Discernment intuits. This genius is the ability to sense patterns, to evaluate ideas quickly and wisely, to know in your gut what will fly and what will flop. It’s not about data or analysis—it’s about a refined, almost artistic sense of fit. People with this genius are the trusted advisors, the ones others turn to for a read on a situation. Their uncanny judgment is a form of talent that can’t be taught. For years, Raj felt like he was “just winging it” at work, unable to explain why he could spot a flawed plan in seconds. Only when his team began to name and value Discernment did he realize his intuition was a form of genius, not luck. Suddenly, his feedback became a sought-after asset, not a source of tension. The working genius framework, as developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, helps teams recognize and leverage this unique contribution.

The Genius of Galvanizing: The Catalyst for Action

Some people light the fire. They rally others, generate momentum, and turn ideas into movement. The Genius of Galvanizing is about mobilizing energy—getting people excited, aligned, and ready to go. Without it, even the best ideas can languish in endless discussion. Think of the colleague who can turn a vague plan into a rallying cry, who makes you want to jump in and contribute. That’s Galvanizing at work. When this genius is missing, teams often feel stuck, waiting for someone to say, “Let’s do this.” The 6 types of working genius ensure that every team has the spark it needs to move from idea to action.

The Genius of Enablement: The Power of Support

Enablement is the genius of saying yes—not out of obligation, but out of genuine desire to help others succeed. These are the people who clear obstacles, offer encouragement, and make it possible for ideas to become reality. Their support is not passive; it’s an active, intentional contribution that keeps teams moving forward. For a long time, Enablement was dismissed as “just being helpful.” But in truth, it’s the glue that holds projects together. Without it, even the most energized teams can falter, overwhelmed by barriers or burnout. The working genius assessment, created by Pat Lencioni and the Table Group team, helps individuals and leaders identify where enablement shows up in their work.

The Genius of Tenacity: The Drive to Finish

Every vision needs a closer—someone who won’t rest until the job is done, the details are right, and the results are real. The Genius of Tenacity is about follow-through, about turning effort into achievement. These are the people who find satisfaction in completion, who see things through when others are ready to move on. When Tenacity is missing, teams can become a graveyard of half-finished projects. But when it’s honored, it transforms potential into progress, and ideas into impact. The 6 types of working genius remind us that tenacity is not just a personality trait, but a vital form of genius that drives success and fulfillment.

The Genius of Completion: The Art of Closure

While Tenacity is about finishing, Completion is about ensuring things are truly done—checked, measured, and delivered to standard. It’s the genius of quality control, of making sure nothing slips through the cracks. People with this genius bring a sense of pride and precision to their work, ensuring that the team’s efforts result in something lasting and valuable. Completion is often invisible until it’s absent—when mistakes surface, deadlines are missed, or quality suffers. But when it’s present, it brings a quiet confidence to the team, a sense that what’s been built will stand the test of time. The working genius model, as taught by a certified working genius facilitator, helps teams recognize the importance of this often-overlooked dimension.

The Alchemy of Teams: Why Every Genius Matters

No single genius is enough. The real magic happens when teams recognize and honor each dimension, weaving them together into a tapestry of strengths. When Wonder and Discernment spark the right ideas, Galvanizing and Enablement build momentum, and Tenacity and Completion bring it all home, work becomes not just productive, but deeply fulfilling. But here’s the truth most teams miss: We’re not meant to be good at all six. In fact, trying to be is a recipe for frustration and mediocrity. The power lies in knowing your own genius, naming it without apology, and learning to rely on others for the rest. That’s not weakness—it’s wisdom.

When you see your own genius clearly, and honor the genius in others, you unlock a new level of trust, collaboration, and possibility. The spark returns—not as a fleeting moment, but as a sustainable source of energy and meaning. And that, perhaps, is the greatest shift of all. The 6 types of working genius, when understood and applied, are the foundation of organizational health and increased productivity. The working genius framework is a powerful tool for leadership development, team development, and personal discovery. Vitaspark has seen firsthand how the 6 types of working genius can transform not just teams, but entire organizations, by helping individuals step into their true genius and unlock greater potential.

From Insight to Impact: Claiming Your Genius in Daily Work

Pause for a moment and let the 6 types of working genius settle in. Which ones felt like a homecoming—an echo of your best days, when work felt effortless and alive? And which ones felt foreign, maybe even a little uncomfortable, as if you were trying on someone else’s shoes? This is where the journey shifts from understanding a model to understanding yourself. It’s tempting to treat frameworks like the working genius assessment as just another personality test—interesting, but ultimately abstract. But the real transformation happens when you begin to notice, in the flow of your week, where your energy rises and where it quietly drains away. Think back to your last project: Were you the one asking the big questions, or the one who couldn’t rest until every detail was buttoned up? Did you find yourself rallying the team, or quietly making sure everyone had what they needed to succeed?

Try this: Over the next few days, pay attention to your natural responses. When a new initiative lands on your desk, do you light up at the chance to imagine what’s possible, or do you instinctively start mapping out the steps to get it done? When a colleague asks for help, do you feel energized by supporting them, or do you long to move things forward? These small moments are clues—breadcrumbs leading you back to your genius. If you’re a leader, consider how your own genius shapes the way you manage, delegate, and build trust. Are you unconsciously valuing certain contributions over others? Are there voices on your team that go unheard because their genius doesn’t look like yours? The most effective leaders are those who not only know their own strengths, but also create space for every dimension to shine. The working genius framework is a powerful tool for leadership development and team development.

And if you’re feeling out of sync—drained, frustrated, or unseen—ask yourself: Where am I spending most of my time? Is it in my zone of genius, or am I stuck in roles that don’t fit? What would it look like to have an honest conversation about this with your team or manager? Sometimes, the first step toward reclaiming your spark is simply naming what’s true. This is the heart of personal discovery and organizational health. The invitation is simple, but profound: Notice. Reflect. Name your genius. And then, with intention, begin to shape your work—one conversation, one project, one small shift at a time—so that your unique contribution isn’t just understood, but truly valued. This is how potential becomes power, and how work becomes a place of meaning again.

Genius, Unlocked: What Lasts After the Lightbulb Moment

If you’ve made it this far, you know that the 6 types of working genius aren’t just theory—they’re a living map for reclaiming energy, trust, and meaning at work. The real gift of this model isn’t in the labels, but in the clarity it brings: you are not broken for struggling in certain roles, nor are you alone in craving work that feels like home. When you honor your genius—and the genius of those around you—you begin to rewrite the story of what’s possible, for yourself and your team.

Here’s what to carry forward:

• Genius is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. When you work in alignment with your innate talents, you don’t just perform better; you feel more alive, more connected, and more resilient.
• No one is meant to master all six. The power of a team lies in its diversity of genius. Trying to “fix” your weaknesses only leads to frustration; learning to trust and rely on others is where real growth happens.
• Misalignment is costly, but it’s not destiny. If you’re feeling drained or unseen, it’s a signal—not a sentence. You have the agency to name what’s true and seek better fit, one conversation at a time.
• Map your energy: Over the next week, jot down moments when you feel most engaged and most depleted. Which dimension of genius is at play?
• Start a conversation: Share your reflections with a colleague or manager. Ask them where they see your genius showing up—and where you might be underutilized.
• Audit your team: Look at your current projects. Are all six dimensions represented? Where might you be missing a crucial spark, gut check, rally, support, drive, or finish?
• Make one shift: Choose a single task or responsibility that drains you and see if it can be delegated, shared, or reframed. Notice what changes in your energy and results.
• Celebrate genius: When you see a teammate’s unique contribution, name it. Recognition is the soil where genius grows.

The journey to meaningful work isn’t about becoming someone else—it’s about becoming more fully yourself, and inviting others to do the same. When you do, you don’t just unlock potential. You unlock possibility, for everyone. The 6 types of working genius, as developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, are a living invitation to greater potential, fulfillment, and organizational health. Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or an individual seeking more from your work, the working genius model offers a path to clarity, connection, and success.

Vitaspark has seen the impact of the 6 types of working genius in organizations ranging from Orangetheory Fitness to disruptive geniuses like Andrew Laffoon, where the right mix of working competencies and working frustrations can make or break morale, teamwork, and results. The working genius assessment, especially when guided by a certified working genius facilitator, can help you and your team discover your true genius, identify your working competencies, and address your working frustrations. This is not just another personality test—it’s a roadmap to greater potential, increased productivity, and lasting fulfillment.

Ready to take the next step? Connect with us to explore how the 6 types of working genius can unlock your team’s energy, morale, and success. Schedule a time to discuss your team with our CEO and begin your journey toward clarity, confidence, and connection. Your genius is waiting to be unlocked—and the world needs what only you can bring.