“Unlocking Success: A Deep Dive into the Six Types of Working Genius”

There’s a moment, often in the quiet between meetings or in the hush after a long day, when something inside you whispers that work shouldn’t feel this hard. Maybe it’s the frustration of watching a project stall, not because people aren’t trying, but because the energy in the room feels misaligned—like everyone’s rowing, but in slightly different directions. Or perhaps it’s the subtle ache of self-doubt that creeps in when your best efforts don’t seem to land, leaving you wondering if you’re missing some secret ingredient that others have.

Consider the manager who stays late, reworking a team plan for the third time, convinced that if she just pushes harder, the pieces will finally click. Or the high-performing team member who’s praised for their reliability, yet quietly dreads each new assignment, sensing that their true genius is being left untapped. These aren’t stories of laziness or lack of talent—they’re stories of misfit, of brilliance left unrecognized, of genius waiting for the right invitation.

If any part of this feels uncomfortably familiar—if you’ve ever questioned whether your workplace is truly harnessing your innate talents, or if you’ve watched talented colleagues burn out or disengage—then what follows may offer a new lens, and perhaps, a way forward.

The Hidden Cost of Misaligned Genius

It’s easy to dismiss workplace frustration as a matter of motivation, culture, or even luck. But beneath the surface, something more fundamental is often at play—a misalignment between the work we’re asked to do and the innate genius we bring to the table. When this gap goes unnamed, it quietly erodes not just productivity, but trust, engagement, and even self-worth.

Research shows that disengagement at work isn’t just a personal problem; it’s a systemic one. Gallup’s State of the Global Workplace report consistently finds that only about one in five employees feel truly engaged in their work. The rest? They’re either quietly quitting, actively searching for meaning elsewhere, or simply surviving the day. The cost is staggering: lost innovation, missed opportunities, and a slow drain on team morale that no amount of pizza parties or performance bonuses can fix.

But the real loss is more intimate. When our unique working genius is overlooked or misunderstood, we begin to question our value. Teams start to fracture along invisible lines—those who feel energized by their roles, and those who feel perpetually out of sync. Over time, this misfit breeds cynicism, turnover, and a culture where true collaboration becomes impossible. The tragedy isn’t just in what gets left undone, but in the potential that never gets a chance to shine.

Naming and understanding the 6 types of working genius isn’t just a productivity hack—it’s a radical act of clarity. It’s the difference between rowing harder and finally rowing together, in the right direction. And for leaders, teams, and individuals alike, that shift can change everything.

The Six Faces of Genius: Seeing What’s Been Hidden in Plain Sight

Imagine walking into a room where every person is speaking a different language—each one beautiful, but none quite understood by the others. That’s what most teams experience, unknowingly, when the 6 types of working genius go unnamed. The result isn’t just confusion; it’s a chronic sense of being out of step, of missing the harmony that makes work feel effortless and alive.

Patrick Lencioni’s working genius model, developed with the Table Group, offers a new vocabulary—a way to finally name the energies that drive us, and the ones that drain us. The 6 types aren’t just labels; they’re invitations to see yourself and your colleagues with new eyes. Here’s what they look like in the wild:

1. The Genius of Wonder: This is the spark at the very beginning—the person who looks at the status quo and asks, “Could this be better?” They’re the ones who notice what’s missing, who sense possibility in the gaps. In a world obsessed with action, Wonder can be dismissed as daydreaming. But without it, teams lose their compass. The manager who always asks “What if?” isn’t slowing things down—they’re ensuring you’re solving the right problem. This is the birthplace of new ideas and the foundation of true genius.

2. The Genius of Discernment: Discernment is the quiet, almost intuitive ability to sense what will work and what won’t. It’s not about data or process; it’s about pattern recognition, gut feel, and wisdom born from experience. The colleague who can “just tell” when an idea is right—or when something’s off—often can’t explain their reasoning, but their track record speaks for itself. When Discernment is missing, teams chase every shiny object, mistaking motion for progress. This is where uncanny judgment and leadership development intersect.

3. The Genius of Invention: Invention is the genius that brings new ideas to life. It’s the creative spark that turns a question into a solution, a blank page into a plan. Those with the Genius of Invention thrive on brainstorming and problem-solving, always eager to create something from nothing. Without Invention, teams struggle to innovate, and organizational health suffers. This is the genius that fuels disruptive geniuses and drives greater potential.

4. The Genius of Galvanizing: Galvanizers are the catalysts. They rally the troops, infuse energy, and turn ideas into movement. When a team is stuck in analysis or inertia, it’s the Galvanizer who says, “Let’s go!” and means it. Their enthusiasm is contagious, but when unrecognized, it can be mistaken for impatience or pushiness. Without Galvanizing, even the best ideas gather dust. This is the thing that transforms teamwork and increases productivity.

5. The Genius of Enablement: Enablement is the gift of support—of making it possible for others to succeed. These are the colleagues who ask, “How can I help?” and mean it. They remove obstacles, offer encouragement, and quietly ensure that momentum is sustained. In cultures that prize independence, Enablement can be undervalued, but without it, teams become silos, and collaboration withers. Enablement is the unsung hero of team development and organizational health.

6. The Genius of Tenacity: Tenacity is the relentless drive to see things through, no matter how tough the road gets. It’s the grit that keeps a team moving when enthusiasm fades and obstacles mount. Tenacious people don’t just finish—they persevere. When Tenacity is missing, projects stall at the first sign of resistance, and teams lose faith in their ability to deliver. This is the genius that ensures fulfillment and increased productivity.

Each of these 6 types of working genius is essential. When one is missing, the whole system suffers. The working genius model, as developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, is a powerful tool for leaders, individuals, and teams who want to unlock greater potential and move from working frustration to fulfillment.

A Living Example: The Project That Almost Wasn’t

Consider a product launch that nearly derailed—a real story from a client team. The initial idea was brilliant (Wonder), and the plan seemed sound (Discernment). But as the project moved forward, momentum sputtered. Meetings dragged. Tasks lingered. Frustration mounted. It wasn’t until the team mapped their 6 types of working genius that the pattern became clear: they were rich in Wonder and Discernment, but lacked Galvanizing and Tenacity. No one was naturally wired to rally the group or push through the inevitable obstacles. Once they named this, everything shifted. They invited a Galvanizer from another department and empowered a Tenacious team member to own the final stretch. The project not only launched—it exceeded expectations.

This is the power of the working genius framework. When you understand the 6 types of working genius, you can see where your team’s energy flows and where it leaks away. The Table Group team, led by Pat Lencioni, has seen this transformation across industries—from Orangetheory Fitness to tech startups like Andrew Laffoon’s company. The impact is real: increased productivity, higher morale, and a culture where true genius is celebrated.

Vitaspark has seen firsthand how the 6 types of working genius can transform not just projects, but entire organizations. When teams embrace the working genius model, they move from working frustration to fulfillment, and from missed opportunities to greater potential. The stories from Orangetheory Fitness and Andrew Laffoon’s teams are just the beginning—this is a movement that’s reshaping how we think about talent, teamwork, and success.

The Power of Naming: From Blind Spots to Brilliance

The real shift isn’t just in understanding these 6 types of working genius—it’s in seeing how they show up (or don’t) in your daily work. Most teams are unconsciously lopsided, over-relying on certain geniuses while neglecting others. The result? Chronic frustration, missed deadlines, and a sense that work is harder than it needs to be.

But when you name the genius—when you see the pattern—you unlock a new kind of clarity. Suddenly, the colleague who always asks “why” isn’t a naysayer; they’re a Wonder. The team member who pushes for closure isn’t inflexible; they’re a Tenacity. The project that keeps stalling isn’t cursed; it’s missing a key energy.

This is the moment when work stops feeling like a grind and starts to feel like a symphony—each person playing their part, each genius valued, and the whole greater than the sum of its parts. The working genius assessment, developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, is more than a personality test—it’s a tool for personal discovery and team development.

When you use the working genius assessment, you’re not just checking a box. You’re opening a door to understanding your own working competencies and working frustrations. You’re giving yourself and your team the language to talk about what’s really happening beneath the surface. And with the support of a certified working genius facilitator or working genius certified facilitator, you can move from insight to action, from working frustration to fulfillment.

Turning the Lens Inward: Discovering Your Own Working Genius

Pause for a moment and let the 6 types of working genius settle in your mind. Which ones felt like a homecoming—like someone finally put words to the way you naturally move through the world? And which ones felt foreign, maybe even a little uncomfortable, as if they belonged to someone else entirely? This is where the real work begins: not in memorizing a model, but in using it as a mirror.

Think back to a time when you felt truly alive at work—when hours slipped by unnoticed, and your contribution felt both effortless and essential. What were you doing? Were you dreaming up new ideas, sensing the right path, rallying a team, supporting others, driving to the finish, or tying up loose ends? Now, contrast that with a moment of deep frustration or fatigue. What kind of work was draining you? What genius was missing from your day—or from your team?

This isn’t about labeling yourself or others as “good” or “bad” at certain things. It’s about reclaiming the truth that you are wired for a unique kind of contribution. When you honor that wiring, work becomes less about endurance and more about resonance. And when you extend that same curiosity to your colleagues, you begin to see the invisible architecture of your team: the places where energy flows, and the places where it leaks away.

Ask yourself:

• Where in my current role do I feel most energized—and which type of working genius might be at play?
• What tasks or projects consistently leave me depleted? Is it possible I’m being asked to operate outside my natural genius for too long?
• Who on my team seems to light up doing the things I dread? What would happen if we swapped responsibilities, even just a little?
• Am I quick to judge others for not working the way I do—or can I start to see their genius as a missing piece, not a flaw?

If you’re a leader, consider mapping your team’s 6 types of working genius together. Notice the patterns. Where are you strong? Where are you vulnerable? What conversations become possible when you name what’s been hidden?

The invitation is simple, but profound: let your genius lead. And when you do, you give others permission to do the same. That’s how teams transform—not by forcing sameness, but by honoring the full spectrum of brilliance that’s already in the room.

From Insight to Impact: Making Genius Work for You

If you’ve made it this far, you’re already standing at the threshold of a new way of working—one where clarity replaces confusion, and where your unique contribution is not just recognized, but celebrated. The 6 types of working genius aren’t just a framework to memorize; they’re a living invitation to reshape how you show up, how you lead, and how you build teams that hum with energy instead of grinding through exhaustion.

Here’s what becomes possible when you move from understanding to integration:

• Work stops being a guessing game. You know what energizes you—and what drains you—so you can design your days with intention, not just obligation.
• Collaboration becomes a source of strength, not friction. You see your colleagues’ differences as assets, not annoyances, and you start to build trust on a foundation of mutual respect.
• Projects move from stuck to unstoppable. When you name what’s missing, you can fill the gaps—inviting the right genius at the right time, instead of hoping for a miracle.
• Self-doubt gives way to self-trust. You stop measuring your worth by how well you fit someone else’s mold, and start honoring the genius that’s yours alone.

If you’re ready to put this into practice, start here:

• Map your own 6 types of working genius. Reflect on your most energizing and depleting tasks. Which types are you living in—and which are you surviving? The working genius assessment is a powerful tool for this personal discovery.
• Have a conversation with your team. Share the working genius model, and invite others to name their own genius. Notice where you overlap, and where you’re missing key energies. A certified working genius facilitator or working genius certified facilitator can help guide this process for maximum impact.
• Redesign one project or process. Look for a place where work feels stuck or heavy. Ask: Which genius is missing? Who could bring it? This is where the 6 types of working genius can transform team development and increase productivity.
• Practice curiosity over judgment. The next time you feel frustrated with a colleague, pause. What genius might they be expressing? What might you learn from it? This is the heart of leadership development and organizational health.
• Celebrate the small shifts. Every time you honor your genius—or someone else’s—you’re building a culture where brilliance is the norm, not the exception.

The real magic isn’t in the model itself, but in what you do with it. When you let your genius lead, you unlock not just your own potential, but the collective power of your team. And that’s where true success begins.

Takeaways: Integrating the 6 Types of Working Genius

The 6 types of working genius are more than a framework—they are a roadmap to fulfillment, increased productivity, and greater potential. When you understand your own working genius, you can move from working frustration to working competency, and from mere survival to thriving. The working genius model, as developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, is a tool for leaders, individuals, and teams who want to unlock the full spectrum of talent and energy in their organizations.

Whether you’re inspired by the stories of Orangetheory Fitness, Andrew Laffoon, or your own team’s journey, the invitation is the same: honor your innate talents, embrace your working competencies, and transform your working frustrations into opportunities for growth. With the support of a certified working genius facilitator or working genius certified facilitator, you can move from insight to action, and from potential to fulfillment.

Closing: Your Next Step Toward Clarity and Connection

You have the power to change the way you work, lead, and connect. The 6 types of working genius are not just a model—they are a call to honor your true genius, to build teams that thrive, and to create a culture where every individual’s talent is valued. Whether you’re seeking confidence, clarity, connection, leadership, or balance, the journey begins with a single step.

If you’re ready to explore how the 6 types of working genius can transform your team, your leadership, and your fulfillment, connect with us here. Let’s unlock your team’s greater potential—together.