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

It’s late afternoon, and the office is humming with the low static of productivity. You’re staring at your to-do list, but something feels off. The tasks in front of you—some you breeze through, others feel like wading through mud. You wonder, quietly, if everyone else finds it this hard to stay engaged, or if you’re missing some secret ingredient that makes work feel effortless for others.

Maybe you’ve been praised for your reliability, but inside, you’re restless, craving a chance to innovate. Or perhaps you’re the one who always spots the missing piece, but your contributions get lost in the noise of louder voices. There’s a subtle ache that comes from feeling unseen—not for what you do, but for how you’re wired to contribute. This is the silent cost of misalignment: when your true genius is overlooked, and your innate talents are left untapped.

In the quiet moments, you might ask yourself: Am I in the right role? Is there more I could give, if only I knew where my genius lies? If any of this resonates, what follows could be the beginning of a new kind of clarity—a journey into the 6 types of working genius, and the greater potential that comes from understanding your unique contribution.

The Hidden Cost of Misaligned Work

Most of us have been taught to chase productivity, to measure our worth by output and efficiency. But what if the real source of disengagement isn’t a lack of effort, but a misalignment between our work and our innate talents? When we spend our days operating outside our natural strengths, the cost is more than fatigue—it’s a slow erosion of confidence, creativity, and connection.

Research shows that disengagement at work isn’t just a personal struggle; it’s a collective one. Gallup’s studies reveal that only about one-third of employees feel truly engaged in their roles. The rest are quietly checking out, not because they lack ambition, but because their unique gifts are underutilized or misunderstood. Over time, this misfit breeds frustration, self-doubt, and even resentment—toward our jobs, our teams, and sometimes ourselves.

But the stakes are even higher than lost productivity. When our working genius goes unrecognized, we miss out on the deep satisfaction that comes from meaningful contribution. Teams lose the spark of new ideas. Organizations settle for “good enough” instead of greatness. And individuals—people like you—risk never discovering just how much they’re truly capable of. This isn’t just about feeling better at work; it’s about reclaiming the energy, purpose, and impact that come from being seen and valued for who you really are. The 6 types of working genius, as described by patrick lencioni and the table group, offer a new path to fulfillment, increased productivity, and organizational health.

The Six Faces of Genius: Seeing Yourself Anew

Imagine, for a moment, that your work life is a symphony. Each instrument—each person—brings a distinct sound, a unique energy. But what if you’ve spent years playing the wrong part, or worse, trying to silence your own music to fit in? The 6 types of working genius, a model developed by patrick lencioni and the table group team, offer a new lens: not just to see what you do, but to understand how you’re wired to contribute at your best.

The working genius model names six core “geniuses”—Wonder, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity, and Invention. Each is a different way of adding value, a different kind of fuel for the work that matters. And here’s the truth that often goes unspoken: No one has all six. In fact, most of us have two that come naturally (our true genius), two that are neutral (our working competencies), and two that drain us (our working frustrations). The magic isn’t in being everything—it’s in knowing your part, and playing it with clarity and pride.

Let’s meet these types of working genius, not as abstract concepts, but as living, breathing energies you’ve likely felt within yourself—or longed for in others.

Wonder: The Spark of Possibility

You know the person who always asks, “What if?”—the one who sees gaps, imagines new ideas, and never stops questioning the status quo? That’s the genius of Wonder. It’s the gift of curiosity, of sensing potential before anyone else. If you resonate with this, you might find yourself restless in environments that rush to solutions, longing for space to dream and reflect. But in the right context, your questions are the seeds of transformation and new ideas.

Discernment: The Inner Compass

Some people have an uncanny judgment, an ability to “just know” when something will work—or when it won’t. This is the genius of Discernment. It’s not about data or process, but intuition honed by experience. If this is your genius, you’re the trusted advisor, the one others turn to for gut checks. Yet, in teams that value only hard evidence, your insights can be dismissed as “just a feeling.” When honored, though, your discernment saves time, sharpens ideas, and steers projects away from unseen pitfalls.

Invention: The Creative Engine

If you light up at the chance to build something from nothing, to solve problems with fresh ideas, you may carry the genius of Invention. You’re the brainstormer, the architect of new ideas. But invention without boundaries can feel overwhelming—or be misunderstood as impractical. When your creativity is channeled and valued, you become the source of breakthroughs that move teams forward. Invention is the birthplace of disruptive geniuses and the foundation of leadership development.

Galvanizing: The Catalyst

Some people have a natural gift for rallying others, for turning ideas into action through energy and encouragement. This is the genius of Galvanizing. You’re the spark plug, the motivator who gets people moving. But in environments that resist change or fear disruption, your enthusiasm can be seen as “too much.” When your genius is welcomed, you transform inertia into momentum, and your leadership inspires greater potential in everyone.

Enablement: The Supportive Force

There are those who instinctively ask, “How can I help?”—who find joy in supporting others and making progress possible. This is the genius of Enablement. You’re the steady hand, the collaborator who turns vision into reality by empowering those around you. Yet, in cultures that prize independence above all, your contributions can be overlooked. When recognized, your support becomes the glue that holds teams together, boosting morale and teamwork.

Tenacity: The Finisher’s Drive

Finally, there’s the genius of Tenacity—the relentless drive to see things through, to finish what’s started, to deliver results. If this is you, unfinished tasks feel like an itch you can’t ignore. You bring discipline, follow-through, and a sense of closure. But in teams that chase novelty over completion, your persistence can be mistaken for rigidity. When honored, your tenacity ensures that dreams become deliverables, and that success is not just imagined, but achieved.

The Power of Naming: From Frustration to Freedom

What happens when you finally name your genius? For many, it’s a moment of profound relief—a sense of being seen, perhaps for the first time, not for what you lack, but for what you bring. One client, a project manager named Lisa, spent years feeling “too sensitive” because she always noticed when team morale dipped. When she discovered her genius was Enablement, she realized her empathy wasn’t a weakness—it was her superpower. She stopped apologizing for caring, and started leading with it.

Another leader, Mark, had always been the “idea guy,” but felt dismissed in a culture that prized execution over imagination. Learning that Invention was his genius gave him language to advocate for his role—and to seek out partners with Tenacity, who could help bring his visions to life. This is the shift: When you understand your working genius, you stop trying to be everything. You start building teams—at work, at home, in your community—where each person’s genius is honored, and the burden of “fitting in” is replaced by the freedom of showing up as you are.

The question isn’t, “How do I become more like them?” It’s, “How do I become more fully myself—and invite others to do the same?” The 6 types of working genius are not just a personality test—they are a roadmap to fulfillment, increased productivity, and organizational health.

Turning Insight Into Action: Your Genius in the Real World

It’s one thing to recognize your working genius on paper; it’s another to let that truth reshape the way you show up, decide, and connect. Awareness is the spark, but application is where transformation takes root. So, how do you move from understanding your genius to living it—especially in a world that may not always see or celebrate what you bring?

Start by noticing where your energy rises and falls throughout your day. When do you feel most alive, most “in flow”? Is it when you’re brainstorming new ideas, quietly sensing what’s missing, or rallying a team into motion? Conversely, where do you feel drained, resistant, or out of sync? These moments are not just data points—they’re invitations to realign your work with your genius.

Ask yourself:

• Where in my current role am I already using my genius, even if it goes unrecognized?
• What tasks or projects consistently leave me depleted—and could these be someone else’s genius?
• How might I advocate for my strengths, or seek out opportunities that let my genius shine?

Consider the conversations you haven’t had yet. Maybe it’s time to share your insights with a manager, a colleague, or even your team. “I’ve realized I do my best work when I’m able to [name your genius]. How can we create more space for that?” Vulnerability here isn’t weakness—it’s leadership. When you name your needs and gifts, you give others permission to do the same.

And if you’re leading others, the invitation is even deeper. What if you stopped expecting everyone to excel at everything, and instead started asking, “What’s your genius? How can we build around it?” The most resilient teams aren’t made of interchangeable parts—they’re mosaics, each piece essential, each difference a source of strength.

This is the bridge: from knowing to becoming, from insight to impact. The more you honor your genius, the more you unlock not just your own greater potential, but the potential of everyone around you. The 6 types of working genius, as outlined in the working genius framework, are the foundation of team development, leadership development, and organizational health.

Genius, Unlocked: What Changes When You See Yourself Clearly

When you finally see your working genius for what it is—not a quirk to hide, but a gift to honor—something fundamental shifts. The fog of self-doubt begins to lift. The old ache of misfit softens, replaced by a quiet confidence: I have a place. I have a purpose. And so does everyone else.

Here’s what this journey reveals, in bold relief:

• Your genius isn’t accidental. It’s the wellspring of your best work, your deepest satisfaction, and your most authentic impact.
• Misalignment isn’t a personal failing—it’s a signal. When you feel drained or unseen, it’s not because you’re broken, but because your genius is being overlooked or misapplied.
• Teams thrive not by erasing difference, but by weaving together each person’s unique strengths. The mosaic is stronger than the monolith.

If you’re ready to move from insight to integration, start here:

• Map your energy: For one week, jot down when you feel most alive and when you feel most depleted. Patterns will emerge—trust them.
• Name your genius: Share what you’ve discovered with someone you trust. Use clear language: “I’ve realized my genius is [Wonder, Discernment, etc.], and here’s how it shows up for me.”
• Redesign your work: Look for one thing you can delegate, swap, or reshape to better align with your genius. Even a small shift can create momentum.
• Invite others in: Ask a teammate or friend about their genius. Notice what changes when you both lead with strengths, not just roles.
• Celebrate progress: Integration isn’t instant. Each time you honor your genius—by saying yes to what energizes you, or no to what drains you—you’re rewriting the story of your work.

The truth is, unlocking your potential isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about coming home to who you’ve always been—and giving that self the space, language, and permission to lead. When you do, you don’t just change your work. You change your world.

The 6 types of working genius, as developed by pat lencioni and the table group, are more than a personality test—they are a call to personal discovery, fulfillment, and greater potential. Whether you’re an individual seeking success, a leader building a team, or an organization striving for increased productivity and organizational health, the working genius assessment and the guidance of a certified working genius facilitator or working genius certified facilitator can help you unlock the genius within yourself and those around you. The working genius model is a powerful tool for team development, leadership development, and the pursuit of success—at work, in life, and beyond.

At Vitaspark, we’ve seen firsthand how the 6 types of working genius can transform not just work but lives. Our clients, from orangetheory fitness to innovative startups led by visionaries like andrew laffoon, have used the working genius framework to build teams where every genius is valued, every working competency is leveraged, and every working frustration becomes a clue for better alignment. The table group team and pat lencioni have given us a language for personal discovery and a roadmap for organizational health that is as practical as it is profound.

You have the power to change your work and your world. You can claim confidence, clarity, connection, leadership, and balance—not by becoming someone else, but by honoring the genius you already possess. If you’re ready to take the next step, connect with us here to explore how your working genius can unlock new possibilities for you and your team.