Imagine unlocking a part of yourself that not only brings clarity and focus to your work but also amplifies your natural gifts, making everything feel aligned and effortless. That’s the power of Patrick Lencioni’s Six Working Geniuses model, and it’s not just about becoming more productive—it's about tapping into who you are at your core to transform how you approach work, relationships, and growth.
In this first part of the series, we’ll dive into understanding your unique genius, and how aligning your work with these strengths can propel you toward greater impact, fulfillment, and success. The path to productivity begins with knowing your genius—and living from it daily.
The Six Working Geniuses: A Framework for Transformation
The Six Working Geniuses is a model designed to help people discover their natural talents, helping them recognize where they thrive, and where they struggle. Here’s a quick breakdown of the six geniuses:
Wonder
People with this genius have an innate ability to ask big questions, challenge the status quo, and envision a better future. They look at the world with curiosity, always wondering how things could improve.
Invention
This genius has a natural gift of creating original and novel ideas and solutions.
Discernment
This genius is about intuition and judgment. Individuals with Discernment can naturally evaluate ideas and situations, sensing what will work and what won’t, making them invaluable in decision-making.
Galvanizing
People with this genius excel at rallying others. They bring enthusiasm, energy, and motivation to projects, driving momentum and engagement.
Enablement
This is the genius of support. People with Enablement naturally step in to assist others, turning ideas into reality by helping those around them thrive.
Tenacity
The genius of execution. These individuals are driven to complete tasks and see projects through to the finish line, ensuring every detail is addressed.
Identifying Your Working Genius
Have you ever noticed that some tasks leave you feeling drained, while others fill you with energy? I do! That’s because we each have areas of genius where we naturally excel and areas of frustration where we struggle and may find ourselves bogged down or sucked of our natural energy. Discovering your working genius is about tuning in to where your energy flows effortlessly and where you consistently feel aligned.
Start by asking yourself:
When do I feel most energized at work?
Which tasks leave me feeling fulfilled and accomplished?
When do I lose track of time because I’m so engaged?
If you're like my husband Tommy and find yourself thriving during brainstorming sessions and coming up with new ideas, then Invention may be one of your geniuses. If you love to motivate and energize others, Galvanizing could be your strength. By reflecting on your work experiences, you can start to see which geniuses resonate with you and which ones don’t.
Aligning Your Genius With Your Work
Once you’ve identified your working genius, the next step is aligning your daily activities with your natural strengths. Think about how much more productive you could be if most of your work allowed you to operate in your zone of genius.
Here are a few strategies for aligning your work with your genius:
Delegate tasks outside your genius: If Tenacity isn’t your strength, pass off execution-focused tasks to someone who thrives in that area, allowing you to focus on ideation or strategy.
Collaborate with others: Partner with team members whose geniuses complement yours. If you’re great at Wonder and Invention but struggle with Galvanizing, find someone who can take your ideas and bring others on board.
Set boundaries: Guard your time by saying no to tasks that don’t align with your strengths. By focusing on what you do best, you’ll bring more value to your team and find greater fulfillment in your work.
Boosting Productivity by Honoring Your Genius
The journey to unlocking your working genius is about more than just becoming more productive. It’s about stepping into your natural gifts, finding alignment in your work, and creating a life that feels purposeful and fulfilling, and that's what we're here for at TheUPSide. When you start to operate from your genius, you stop just going through the motions—you start living from a place of true power. Imagine how freeing that would be. Imagine the productivity when working in your true genius! Interested in taking the assessment to uncover your Genius? Contact me today!
Discover how aligning talents can spark synergy and elevate your entire team’s potential.
Before you move on to part two, imagine a team where every individual is operating in their natural zone of genius—seamlessly collaborating, innovating, and executing with ease. Ready to find out how the Six Working Geniuses can turn your team into a high-performing, cohesive unit? Jump into part two to see how this visionary approach can revolutionize the way your team works together!
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