Most of us have experienced the frustration of feeling like we’re failing at something we “should” be good at. You might think you’re bad at your job—or that your team is dysfunctional—when really, you’re just working outside your natural zone of genius.
In this episode of You’re the Boss, Now What?, my guest Tessa Kampen and I break down The Six Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni — a tool that helps leaders and teams uncover the kind of work that gives them energy, the kind that drains them, and how to build teams that actually work.
Whether you’re leading a department, running a small business, or just trying to enjoy your workday again, understanding your Working Genius will change everything about how you see your job, your coworkers, and yourself.
Why the Working Genius Model Matters
We’ve all heard “play to your strengths,” but the truth is — most people don’t know what those strengths really are.
Lencioni’s Working Genius model breaks work down into six stages, each representing a different “genius” that people bring to the table. Every person has:
- 2 Working Geniuses – the types of work that give you joy and energy
- 2 Working Competencies – work you can do well but doesn’t necessarily excite you
- 2 Working Frustrations – work that drains your energy and leads to burnout
When we spend too much time in our frustrations, we lose motivation and confidence. When we operate in our geniuses, we light up—and so does our team.
The Six Types of Working Genius
Here’s a quick look at each type and what it looks like in action:
🧠 1. Wonder
These are the big-picture thinkers who ask, “Why?” They notice gaps and possibilities others miss. Wonderers bring curiosity and innovation to the table, but they’re often misunderstood as “dreamers.”
Without wonder, teams stop asking if they’re doing the right things—they just focus on doing more things.
💡 2. Invention
Inventors love generating ideas and solving problems in new ways. They crave freedom to think creatively and dislike being boxed in by rules or red tape.
They don’t need every idea to be perfect—they just need space to share them.
🔍 3. Discernment
Discerners have an intuitive sense of what will work and what won’t. They rely on gut instinct and pattern recognition rather than data.
They can spot a bad idea before it wastes resources, but they can also feel crushed when others demand endless proof of what they just know to be true.
🚀 4. Galvanizing
Galvanizers are the motivators who get others moving. They rally people around ideas, build excitement, and drive progress.
They thrive on action—but when they’re surrounded by hesitation or apathy, they feel stuck and frustrated.
🤝 5. Enablement
Enablers love to help. They support others’ ideas, fill gaps, and make sure people feel heard and valued.
These are your go-to teammates who ask, “How can I help?” But if overused, they can burn out by saying yes to everything.
✅ 6. Tenacity
Tenacious people are the finishers. They live for checklists, completion, and measurable results.
They’re the reason projects actually get done—but they can struggle when others don’t share their same follow-through.
The Power of Knowing Your Genius
When teams don’t understand each other’s geniuses, judgment and guilt creep in.
- Leaders might think a quiet team member “lacks initiative,” when they’re just not in their zone of genius.
- A creative might feel “lazy” because they can’t stand administrative work.
- Someone who thrives on structure might feel unseen in a room full of big dreamers.
Understanding the model creates a new language for teamwork.
Instead of “Why can’t you just get this done?” it becomes “This might fall in your frustration zone—let’s find someone whose genius it fits.”
This simple shift can transform not only team performance but also workplace morale and mental health.
Guilt, Judgment, and the Freedom to Be Who You Are
One of the biggest insights from The Six Types of Working Genius is how much guilt and judgment we carry from trying to be someone we’re not.
I used to feel guilty for quitting accounting after my first semester in college. I thought I just wasn’t disciplined enough—but now I realize, that kind of detail work lives deep in my frustration zone. It wasn’t about ability; it was about alignment.
Teams experience this too. We expect everyone to operate like us, when in reality, every genius contributes differently.
True teamwork isn’t about making everyone the same. It’s about making sure everyone gets to do what they do best.
Why Teams Burn Out (and How to Fix It)
When projects stall, communication breaks down, or motivation drops, it’s rarely about competence—it’s about misalignment.
Common problems I see in workshops:
- Teams full of Wonder and Invention never move into action.
- Teams full of Tenacity burn out because they’re executing without inspiration.
- Lone Galvanizers feel like they’re dragging everyone along.
Balanced teams that honor all six geniuses are not only more effective—they’re more enjoyable to work on.
How to Use This with Your Team
- Take the assessment. You can find the official Working Genius assessment at workinggenius.com or through the link in the show notes. It takes about 10 minutes.
- Map your team. Identify gaps and overlaps. Who brings energy where? Who might be stuck in frustration?
- Have an honest conversation. Ask your team what parts of their job they love, what drains them, and how you can help rebalance responsibilities.
- Adjust your workflow. When possible, design projects so each person spends more time in their genius.
The Takeaway
You are not bad at your job.
Your team is not broken.
You might just be working against your wiring.
When you discover your Working Genius, you stop fighting yourself and start building a career (and a team) that actually energizes you.
“You may not be the wrong person for the job. You might just be doing the wrong kind of work.”
