“Unlocking the Power of Team Dynamics: Exploring the 6 Types of Working Genius”

There’s a moment in every team’s journey when the energy in the room shifts. The project that once sparked excitement now feels heavy, conversations loop in circles, and the same few voices dominate while others retreat into silence. Maybe it’s the third meeting this week where new ideas stall out, or the subtle tension that lingers after a deadline slips by. You notice the frustration in a colleague’s sigh, the way someone’s camera stays off, or the unspoken question hanging in the air: “Why does this feel so much harder than it should?”

For some, it’s the exhaustion of carrying the team’s momentum—always the one to push things forward, to fill in the gaps, to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. For others, it’s the quiet ache of feeling unseen, your best contributions overlooked because they don’t fit the mold of what’s valued. Maybe you’ve wondered if the problem is the project, the people, or—quietly—yourself.

If any of this resonates, you’re not alone. The truth is, most teams struggle not because they lack talent or drive, but because the invisible forces of team dynamics are at play. When our unique strengths go unrecognized or misaligned, even the most capable groups can find themselves stuck, spinning, or slowly burning out. The 6 types of working genius, as described by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, offer a new lens for understanding these patterns. If you’ve ever wished for a way to decode these patterns and unlock the true potential of your team, this exploration of the 6 types of working genius might be the turning point.

Beyond Roles and Resumes: The Hidden Cost of Misaligned Genius

It’s tempting to believe that assembling a team of smart, skilled people is enough. After all, isn’t talent the ultimate currency of success? But beneath the surface of every high-performing team lies a deeper truth: it’s not just what people can do, but how they are wired to contribute that shapes the team’s trajectory. When we overlook this, we pay a price—one that rarely shows up on a balance sheet, but is felt in every missed deadline, every disengaged meeting, every brilliant idea that never sees the light of day.

Consider the silent toll of misalignment. When someone’s natural genius is sidelined, their energy drains away, replaced by frustration or quiet resignation. The team’s creative spark dims, and collaboration becomes a grind rather than a source of momentum. Over time, trust erodes—not because people don’t care, but because they don’t feel seen or utilized in the ways that matter most. The result? A slow leak of potential, innovation, and joy.

This isn’t just a “nice to have” conversation. Research from the Table Group shows that teams who understand and leverage diverse working styles—especially the 6 types of working genius—are more resilient, adaptive, and effective. They solve problems faster, communicate with greater clarity, and experience less burnout. In a world where complexity is the norm and change is constant, the ability to harness the full spectrum of working genius isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity. When we get this right, we don’t just improve performance; we transform the very experience of work itself, leading to increased productivity and fulfillment. The working genius framework, championed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group team, is a catalyst for organizational health and team development.

The Anatomy of Working Genius: Six Pathways to Collective Flow

Imagine, for a moment, that every project is a journey—one that requires vision, momentum, and the steady hands that turn ideas into reality. What if the friction you feel isn’t a flaw, but a signal that the team’s natural energies are out of sync? This is where the working genius model, developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group team, offers a new lens: six distinct types of working genius, each essential, each a source of energy when honored, and a drain when ignored.

Let’s step into the heart of this model. The 6 types—Wonder, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity, and Invention—aren’t just labels. They are the core ways people are wired to contribute. Each one answers a different need in the creative process, and when even one is missing or misapplied, the whole system strains. The working genius framework helps individuals and leaders map these innate talents, leading to greater potential and organizational health. The 6 types of working genius are not just a personality test—they are a roadmap for team development and fulfillment.

The Spark of Wonder and Invention

Every breakthrough begins with a question or a possibility. The Genius of Wonder is the team’s antenna—those who instinctively sense what’s missing, who ask, “What if?” or “Why not?” They are the ones who see the gaps others overlook, who hold space for curiosity before the rush to solutions. Without Wonder, teams risk solving the wrong problems, mistaking urgency for clarity. This type of working genius is often the birthplace of new ideas and true genius.

Then comes Invention—the creative engine. These are the people who generate ideas, who love to build something from nothing. They thrive in ambiguity, seeing connections where others see chaos. Invention is the birthplace of innovation, but without the right environment, their ideas can be dismissed as impractical or overwhelming. The working genius assessment can help identify these disruptive geniuses, ensuring their contributions are valued and harnessed for team success. Invention is not just a competency; it’s a working competency that fuels the team’s ability to innovate and adapt.

Discernment and Galvanizing: The Bridge from Idea to Action

But not every idea is worth pursuing. Enter Discernment—the quiet, intuitive evaluators who sense what will work and what won’t. They bring wisdom, pattern recognition, and an uncanny judgment that saves teams from chasing dead ends. Discernment is often invisible, but its absence is felt in wasted effort and missed signals. This type of working genius is crucial for leadership development and organizational health. The 6 types of working genius ensure that discernment is not overlooked, but celebrated as a vital part of the process.

Galvanizing is the rallying cry. These are the natural motivators, the ones who turn inertia into movement. They see potential and can’t help but mobilize others, infusing energy and urgency into the process. Without Galvanizing, even the best ideas languish, and teams drift in a sea of good intentions. The working genius model shows that galvanizing is a key ingredient for increased productivity and morale. Galvanizing is a working competency that transforms ideas into action, ensuring that the team’s energy is directed and sustained.

Enablement and Tenacity: The Power of Follow-Through

Momentum, however, is only as strong as the support behind it. Enablement is the genius of those who say, “How can I help?” They remove obstacles, offer encouragement, and make it possible for others to do their best work. Enablement is often mistaken for mere helpfulness, but it’s a strategic force—without it, teams stall at the first sign of resistance. The working genius framework recognizes enablement as a vital competency, not just a personality trait. Enablement is a working competency that ensures the team’s progress is supported and sustained.

Finally, Tenacity is the relentless drive to finish. These are the closers, the ones who ensure that what gets started actually gets done. They thrive on completion, holding the line when others are tempted to move on. Tenacity transforms vision into results, and without it, teams leave value on the table. The working genius assessment can reveal where tenacity is present or missing, helping teams avoid working frustrations and achieve fulfillment. Tenacity is not just a thing to be admired—it’s a core part of the 6 types of working genius that brings projects to completion and ensures success.

The Cost of Missing Genius: A Story Unfolds

Consider a product team I once worked with—brilliant, driven, but perpetually stuck in the “idea phase.” Meetings were electric with possibilities, but deadlines slipped, and frustration simmered. It wasn’t until we mapped their 6 types of working genius that the pattern emerged: a surplus of Invention and Wonder, but a gap in Tenacity and Enablement. They could dream and design, but struggled to execute. Once they recognized this, they intentionally brought in colleagues whose genius was in finishing and supporting. The shift was immediate—projects moved, morale lifted, and the team rediscovered its rhythm.

This is the promise of understanding the 6 types of working genius: not just better results, but a more humane, energizing way to work together. When each type is seen and valued, friction becomes flow, and the team’s collective genius is finally set free. The Table Group team and certified working genius facilitators have seen this transformation across industries, from Orangetheory Fitness to tech startups led by visionaries like Andrew Laffoon. The working genius model is not just a personality test—it’s a tool for personal discovery, team development, and organizational health.

From Insight to Impact: Mapping Your Own Genius on the Team Canvas

Pause for a moment and let the working genius framework settle. Maybe you’re already seeing yourself—or your teammates—in these 6 types of working genius. Perhaps you recognize the thrill of invention, the quiet satisfaction of discernment, or the steady pulse of tenacity. But awareness, while powerful, is only the beginning. The real transformation happens when you turn the lens inward and ask: How does my genius show up in the day-to-day rhythm of my team? Where am I energized, and where do I quietly drain?

Start by reflecting on your recent work. When did you feel most alive, most in flow? Was it in the early stages, asking big questions and exploring possibilities? Or did you come alive when it was time to rally the group, or to push a project across the finish line? Notice, too, the moments of resistance—the tasks that leave you depleted, the meetings where your voice fades, the projects you avoid. These are not signs of weakness, but clues to your unique wiring and working competencies.

Now, widen the lens. Imagine your team as a living ecosystem, each person’s genius a vital nutrient. Where are the surpluses and the gaps? Are you surrounded by visionaries but starved for finishers? Do you have plenty of support but lack the spark of new ideas? Invite your team into this reflection—not as a diagnostic, but as a conversation. Ask:

• Where do we feel the most energy and momentum as a group?
• Which stages of a project tend to stall or feel heavy?
• Whose contributions are celebrated, and whose go unnoticed?
• What would shift if we intentionally honored each type of working genius in our workflow?

This is not about labeling or limiting anyone. It’s about creating a shared language for what’s often invisible—a way to name, value, and intentionally design for the full spectrum of human contribution. When you see your own genius clearly, and invite others to do the same, you lay the groundwork for a team culture where everyone’s energy is not just welcomed, but needed. And that’s where the real magic begins. Certified working genius facilitators and working genius certified facilitators can guide teams through this process, ensuring that every individual’s innate talents are recognized and leveraged for greater potential.

The Genius Advantage: Turning Insight Into Everyday Momentum

When you understand the 6 types of working genius, you’re not just adding another tool to your leadership kit—you’re unlocking a new way of seeing, valuing, and mobilizing the people around you. This isn’t about theory; it’s about the lived experience of work: the energy in your meetings, the flow of your projects, the trust that grows (or withers) in the spaces between.

Here’s what becomes possible when you integrate the working genius model into your team’s DNA:

• You stop mistaking friction for failure. Instead, you see it as a signal—a clue that a certain type of working genius is missing or misapplied, and an invitation to rebalance.
• You move from accidental to intentional collaboration. No more hoping the right mix will magically appear. You design for it, bringing the right people into the right moments.
• You create a culture where every contribution matters. When each type of working genius is named and honored, people show up with more energy, more trust, and more willingness to stretch.

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

• Map your own 6 types of working genius and share it with your team. Invite others to do the same using the working genius assessment, a tool developed by Pat Lencioni and the Table Group.
• Audit your last big project: Where did energy soar? Where did it stall? Which types of working genius were present—or missing—at each stage?
• In your next team meeting, ask: “Which type of working genius do we need most right now?” Let this question guide your invitations, your agenda, and your appreciation.
• Notice and name the invisible contributions. Celebrate the quiet discerners, the steady finishers, the encouragers who make momentum possible.
• When conflict or fatigue arises, pause and ask: “Is this a people problem, or a genius gap?” Often, it’s the latter.

The real power of the 6 types of working genius isn’t in the labels—it’s in the liberation. When you see yourself and your team through this lens, you reclaim the possibility of work that feels not just productive, but profoundly human. And that’s the kind of momentum that lasts. The working genius framework, as championed by Pat Lencioni, Patrick Lencioni, and the Table Group, is transforming leadership development, team development, and organizational health for individuals and leaders everywhere—from Orangetheory Fitness to innovative disruptors like Andrew Laffoon. Whether you’re seeking increased productivity, fulfillment, or simply a new way to approach teamwork, the 6 types of working genius offer a roadmap to greater potential and lasting success.

Vitaspark: Igniting the Genius Within Teams

At Vitaspark, we’ve seen firsthand how the 6 types of working genius can transform not just the way teams work, but the way individuals experience their own contribution. By leveraging the working genius assessment and partnering with certified working genius facilitators, we help teams move from working frustration to working fulfillment. Our approach is rooted in the belief that every person’s innate talents are essential, and that true genius emerges when those talents are recognized, valued, and intentionally woven into the fabric of teamwork.

Whether you’re a leader seeking to unlock greater potential in your organization, or an individual longing for more meaning and momentum in your work, the 6 types of working genius provide a powerful framework for personal discovery and team development. The journey begins with a single step: the willingness to see yourself and your team through a new lens, and the courage to invite others into that discovery.

Integration: The Path to Confidence, Clarity, and Connection

As you reflect on the 6 types of working genius, consider what’s possible when every person’s genius is honored and every working competency is valued. Imagine a team where new ideas are welcomed, where enablement and tenacity are celebrated, and where working frustrations are seen not as failures, but as invitations to realign and grow. This is the promise of the working genius model—a path to increased productivity, fulfillment, and organizational health.

Remember, the journey to greater potential is not about perfection. It’s about progress, about choosing to see the genius in yourself and others, and about building a culture where every contribution matters. The 6 types of working genius are more than a personality test—they are a call to action, a roadmap for leadership development, and a source of hope for anyone who believes that work can be more than just a series of tasks, but a place of connection, clarity, and true success.

Connect and Take the Next Step

If you’re ready to unlock the power of the 6 types of working genius for your team, we invite you to connect with us. Schedule a time to discuss your team with our CEO and explore how the working genius framework can help you move from working frustration to working fulfillment. Your next chapter of confidence, clarity, and connection begins here: Book a conversation with us.

Every team has the potential for greatness. When you honor the 6 types of working genius, you don’t just change the way you work—you change the way you experience work, together. Here’s to your next breakthrough, your next big idea, and the genius that’s waiting to be set free.