“Unraveling the 6 Types of Working Genius: Your Guide to Unlocking Team Potential”

There’s a moment every leader recognizes: the project that should have soared instead limps along, weighed down by invisible friction. Maybe it’s the weekly meeting where new ideas stall, or the launch that drags on, each milestone feeling heavier than the last. In the quiet after the call, you wonder—why does it feel like everyone’s rowing in different directions, even when the goal is clear?

Consider Maya, a seasoned manager who prided herself on assembling talented teams. Yet, despite her best efforts, her group’s energy seemed to evaporate halfway through every initiative. The brainstorms were electric, but execution fizzled. Deadlines slipped. Frustration simmered beneath polite updates. Maya found herself questioning not just her team, but her own instincts. Was she missing something fundamental about how people work together?

If you’ve ever watched a high-potential team lose momentum, or felt the sting of misalignment despite everyone’s best intentions, you’re not alone. Beneath the surface of every team’s struggle lies a deeper pattern—one that’s rarely named, but always felt. The 6 types of working genius, as described by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group, offer a new lens for understanding these invisible dynamics. If any of this rings true, what follows might just be the missing piece you’ve been searching for.

The Hidden Cost of Misaligned Genius

It’s easy to blame missed targets on skill gaps, unclear goals, or even a lack of motivation. But what if the real issue is more subtle—and more profound? Every team is a tapestry of strengths, but when those strengths are misunderstood or misapplied, the result isn’t just inefficiency. It’s a slow erosion of trust, engagement, and creative spark.

Research from the Table Group shows that when people work outside their natural genius for too long, burnout isn’t far behind. The friction isn’t just operational—it’s emotional. Team members begin to question their value, leaders second-guess their choices, and the collective energy that once fueled innovation quietly drains away. The cost isn’t just missed deadlines or lackluster results; it’s the loss of potential, the kind that can’t be recaptured with another round of pep talks or process tweaks.

This matters because the stakes are higher than we admit. When working genius is misaligned, teams don’t just underperform—they lose their sense of possibility. The difference between a team that thrives and one that merely survives often comes down to whether each person’s unique genius is recognized, respected, and put to work where it matters most. Understanding these dynamics isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation for building teams that are not only effective, but alive with purpose and momentum. The 6 types of working genius are the key to this transformation.

The Anatomy of Working Genius: Six Keys, One Engine

Imagine a team as a finely tuned engine—each part essential, each with a distinct role. The working genius model, developed by Patrick Lencioni and the Table Group team, reveals that every project, every initiative, and every breakthrough follows a predictable arc. And at each stage, a different kind of genius is required to keep the engine running smoothly.

There are 6 types of working genius: Wonder, Discernment, Invention, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity. Each is a unique form of energy—a way of seeing, thinking, and contributing that is both natural and deeply satisfying when honored. But when these forms of genius are missing or misapplied, the engine sputters, no matter how talented the team.

Let’s step into the heart of each genius, not as abstract labels, but as living, breathing forces that shape the rhythm of work and unlock greater potential.

Wonder: The Spark of Possibility

Every great endeavor begins with a question. The Genius of Wonder is the capacity to see what’s missing, to sense potential, and to ask, “What if?” It’s the quiet voice in the room that notices gaps, dreams of better ways, and refuses to settle for the status quo. In teams, Wonder is often overlooked—mistaken for distraction or restlessness. But without it, organizations stagnate. The absence of Wonder means missed opportunities, unasked questions, and a slow drift into complacency. When Maya’s team lost momentum, it wasn’t for lack of effort—it was the absence of someone who could see beyond the immediate task and ignite curiosity about what could be. This is the first of the 6 types of working genius, and it’s the birthplace of new ideas and greater potential.

Discernment: The Compass of Wisdom

If Wonder is the spark, Discernment is the compass. This genius is the intuitive ability to evaluate ideas, sense patterns, and make wise judgments without needing all the data. It’s the colleague who can spot a promising direction—or a looming pitfall—before anyone else. Their uncanny judgment is a form of true genius. Discernment is subtle, often mistaken for skepticism or indecision. But in truth, it’s the quiet filter that keeps teams from chasing every shiny thing. When Discernment is missing, teams may generate endless ideas but struggle to choose the right path. The result? Wasted energy, scattered focus, and a sense of spinning in circles. This is the second of the 6 types of working genius, and it’s essential for leadership development and organizational health.

Invention: The Architect of Solutions

Invention is the genius of creation—the drive to build, design, and solve. It’s the person who lights up at a blank whiteboard, who thrives on turning problems into possibilities. Invention brings ideas to life, crafting solutions that didn’t exist before. This is the third of the 6 types of working genius, and it’s where innate talents and disruptive geniuses shine. But invention without boundaries can lead to chaos. When teams rely solely on Invention, they risk reinventing the wheel or chasing complexity for its own sake. The magic happens when Invention is paired with Discernment and Wonder—when creativity is both inspired and wisely channeled. The working genius assessment can help individuals and teams identify where their true genius lies, and where working competencies or working frustrations may be holding them back.

Galvanizing: The Catalyst for Action

Some people have a gift for rallying others, for turning intention into movement. This is the Genius of Galvanizing—the ability to inspire, motivate, and mobilize. Galvanizers are the heartbeat of momentum, the ones who say, “Let’s go!” and mean it. Their energy is contagious, and their talent for igniting action is a hallmark of the 6 types of working genius. Without Galvanizing, even the best ideas languish. Teams may agree on a plan but never quite get started. The energy fizzles, and the gap between vision and action widens. Galvanizing isn’t about charisma; it’s about the courage to call others into action and keep the flame alive when enthusiasm wanes. This is where a certified working genius facilitator or working genius certified facilitator can make a real difference, helping teams harness this essential genius for increased productivity and morale.

Enablement: The Power of Support

Enablement is the genius of support—the willingness and ability to help others move forward. It’s the teammate who asks, “How can I help?” and means it. Enablement is not about servitude; it’s about partnership, about making progress possible for everyone. This is the fifth of the 6 types of working genius, and it’s the glue that holds teamwork together. When Enablement is missing, teams feel isolated. People struggle alone, bottlenecks form, and resentment grows. But when Enablement is present, collaboration flourishes. The work becomes lighter, and the team’s collective capacity expands. Enablement is a working competency for some, a working frustration for others, but it’s always a thing of beauty when it’s honored.

Tenacity: The Drive to Finish

Every project needs a closer—the person who ensures that what gets started actually gets done. Tenacity is the genius of completion, the relentless drive to push through obstacles, meet deadlines, and deliver results. This is the final of the 6 types of working genius, and it’s the difference between ideas and outcomes. Without Tenacity, teams risk becoming “idea factories” with little to show for their efforts. Deadlines slip, details are missed, and the sense of accomplishment fades. But when Tenacity is honored, teams build trust—not just in each other, but in their ability to deliver on their promises. Tenacity is a true genius, and it’s essential for success, fulfillment, and organizational health.

Each of these six types is essential. The real shift comes when teams stop treating genius as a hierarchy and start seeing it as a symphony. When every form of genius is recognized and put to work at the right moment, the team’s engine doesn’t just run—it roars. And that’s when the extraordinary becomes possible. The working genius framework, as developed by Pat Lencioni and the Table Group, is a roadmap for team development, leadership development, and personal discovery.

Turning Insight Into Action: Mapping Your Team’s Genius

Pause for a moment and look around your team—or, if you’re a team of one, look within. Where do you see sparks of Wonder, flashes of Discernment, or the steady pulse of Tenacity? Where do you notice gaps, friction, or fatigue? The 6 types of working genius aren’t just a lens for understanding others; they’re a mirror for your own patterns and a map for realignment.

Ask yourself: When was the last time you felt truly energized by your work? What were you doing? Were you dreaming up new ideas, building solutions, rallying the group, or quietly ensuring the pieces fit together? Conversely, where do you feel drained, frustrated, or invisible? These aren’t just mood swings—they’re clues to your natural genius and your areas of working frustration.

If you lead a team, consider this: Are you assigning roles based on job titles, or on the unique genius each person brings? Is your “idea person” stuck in the weeds of execution? Is your finisher left out of the early brainstorms? Sometimes, the smallest shift—inviting a quiet Wonderer into the strategy session, or letting a Galvanizer lead the kickoff—can unlock a cascade of energy and engagement.

Try this simple exercise:

• Map out a recent project and identify which types of working genius were present at each stage—and which were missing.
• Invite your team to reflect on when they felt most (and least) alive during the process.
• Notice the patterns. Where did momentum stall? Where did it surge?
• Use these insights to realign roles, redistribute tasks, or simply start a conversation about what each person needs to thrive.

The goal isn’t to force-fit people into boxes, but to honor the diversity of genius that already exists—and to create space for everyone to contribute where they’re most alive. When you do, you don’t just solve problems. You build a team that’s resilient, engaged, and ready for what’s next. The working genius assessment, much more than a personality test, is a tool for personal discovery, increased productivity, and greater potential.

The Genius Advantage: What Lasts When You Lead With Alignment

When you understand and honor the 6 types of working genius, you’re not just adding another tool to your leadership kit—you’re changing the way your team experiences work, and how you experience each other. The difference is palpable: meetings become more purposeful, energy flows where it’s needed most, and the invisible weight of misalignment begins to lift.

Here’s what integrating the types of working genius can mean for you and your team:

• Clarity replaces confusion. You stop guessing why projects stall and start seeing the real levers for momentum.
• Trust deepens. When people feel seen for their true genius, psychological safety grows—and so does candor.
• Burnout fades. By aligning work with natural genius, you reduce friction and restore energy, both individually and collectively.
• Results accelerate. The right genius at the right moment means fewer bottlenecks, more follow-through, and a team that delivers on its promises.
• Engagement soars. People show up not just to do a job, but to contribute in ways that feel meaningful and alive.

The heart of this model isn’t about perfection—it’s about permission. Permission to lead differently, to ask better questions, and to build teams where every kind of genius is not just tolerated, but treasured. When you make this shift, you don’t just unlock potential. You create a culture where possibility is the norm, not the exception.

The 6 types of working genius, as championed by Patrick Lencioni, the Table Group, and leaders like Andrew Laffoon and Orangetheory Fitness, are more than a framework—they’re a revolution in how we see talent, teamwork, and success. Whether you’re a certified working genius facilitator, a leader seeking greater potential, or an individual on a journey of personal discovery, the working genius model is your guide to fulfillment, increased productivity, and lasting morale.

Vitaspark has seen firsthand how the 6 types of working genius can transform not just teams, but entire organizations. When the right genius is honored at the right time, morale rises, tasks become more meaningful, and the sense of possibility returns. The working genius framework is not just a theory—it’s a living, breathing approach to team development, leadership development, and organizational health.

Integration: The Power to Change

As you reflect on your own team, your own work, and your own genius, remember: you have the power to create change. The 6 types of working genius are not just a map—they are an invitation. An invitation to lead with confidence, to build with clarity, to connect with purpose, and to pursue balance and fulfillment in every aspect of your work.

Whether you’re a leader, a team member, or an individual seeking greater potential, the journey begins with a single step. If you’re ready to explore how the types of working genius can unlock your team’s energy and success, we invite you to connect with us. Schedule a time to discuss your team with our CEO: Book your conversation here.

Let this be the moment you choose clarity over confusion, connection over isolation, and possibility over frustration. The 6 types of working genius are waiting to be discovered—within you, your team, and your work. The next chapter of your team’s story starts now.