What is your Working Genius? The Working Genius podcast is designed to help people identify their natural gifts and find joy and fulfillment in their work and life.
Leadership and teamwork expert Patrick Lencioni and his team explore the Working Genius model and provide practical advice for applying this framework individually, at our jobs and in our homes. What type of work makes you thrive? Are you burning out because your job requires you to work in your areas of frustration? How can teams and families better tap into one another’s gifts? This podcast answers all these questions and more.
Last refreshed: ⓘ
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
Pat, Cody, and Krista Kotrla discuss the critical point where teams transition from discernment to galvanizing—the "decision line." They examine why leaders often struggle to cross it, citing the pursuit of certainty over clarity, the desire for consensus, and team dynamics. The discussion highlights practical tools like "end-of-meeting discipline" and the importance of distinguishing between decision science and implementation science to foster alignment, commitment, and effective execution.
What makes galvanizing more disruptive than other Working Geniuses? In episode 93 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody explore why galvanizing is the most disruptive of all the Working Geniuses. They unpack the nature of galvanizing as the only Genius that necessarily involves moving others, making it uniquely powerful—and often misunderstood. Through stories and reflection, they highlight the challenges and the essential value of galvanizers in any team or organization. Topics explored i...
Are you unintentionally discouraging others by calling something “easy”? In episode 92 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody explore the pitfalls of assuming that what’s easy and fun for you will be the same for others. They explore how working within your genius can make tasks feel effortless and how this can mislead us when advising or leading others. This episode is a reminder to value your own strengths and to honor the differences in how others are wired. Topics explored in this episo...
What makes the Genius of Enablement (“E”) such a crucial part of team implementation? Episode 91 of the Working Genius Podcast dives into the Enablement Genius with guest Tracy Noble, Chief Development Officer at The Table Group. Pat, Cody, and Tracy explore the subtle power of Enablement—how it brings relational glue to implementation and drives team cohesion. They also unpack the differences between Enablement and people-pleasing, and how to regulate Enablement without shutting it down. Topics...
How can recognizing the “lowercase” application of your Working Genius improve your contributions to projects and increase your job fulfillment? In episode 90 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore the distinction between “uppercase” and “lowercase” expressions of the six Working Geniuses. Joined by Matt Lencioni, they unpack how to apply your genius even when it's not the dominant need in a situation. Topics explored in this episode: (0:53) Introducing Upperca...
How often do you assume someone’s behavior is a flaw in their character instead of a feature of their genius? In episode 89 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson unpack the “Fundamental Attribution Error” and how it damages relationships at work and at home. They explain how people often misjudge each other’s actions as flaws rather than features of their unique Working Genius. By walking through all six Geniuses, the hosts show how greater understanding can lead to l...
How can your understanding of Myers-Briggs add to your Working Genius? In episode 88 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody dive into the relationship between Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Six Types of Working Genius. They explore how MBTI describes who you are (the noun), while Working Genius describes what you do best (the verb). Through examples and insights, they show how combining both tools can improve self-awareness, team collaboration, and career decisions. Topics explo...
How can understanding and embracing your Working Genius help you redefine your concept of “work” and “retirement”? In episode 87 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson take on the increasingly common desire to quit work or retire early, questioning whether it's truly the job people want to escape—or the lack of fulfillment in how they work. Pat and Cody also explore how Working Genius can offer clarity and help people rediscover joy and meaning in their work. Topics ex...
What does “preemptive vulnerability” mean, why is it essential in leadership, and how can it build trust within a team? In episode 86 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick and Cody explore the concept of "preemptive vulnerability"—the practice of leading with humility before you're forced to. They reflect on how leaders can build deeper trust and connection by proactively admitting weaknesses, asking for help, and owning mistakes. With real-life examples and signature humor, they unpack how thi...
Why is it dangerous to "fake it till you make it" when it comes to your Working Genius? In episode 85 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody explore the pitfalls of "faking it till you make it," particularly in the context of the six Working Geniuses. They discuss how pretending to possess certain geniuses—especially Galvanizing, Enabling, and Tenacity—can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction, even if it seems successful in the short term. They also emphasize the importance of aligning work ...
How does humility enhance the application of your Working Geniuses in both personal and professional settings? Humility is the secret ingredient that elevates teamwork, leadership, and productivity. In this episode, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore how humility acts as a booster within the Working Genius framework. They also discuss why embracing humility allows you to work more effectively within your strengths while also building stronger, more cohesive teams. Topics explored in this...
We're taking a break from uploading new episodes this fall, but we're looking forward to a return in 2025. Thank you to all of our listeners! To take the Six Types of Working Genius Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/ Check out the 5 Dysfunctions of a Team Assessment: https://tinyurl.com/ttgteamassessment To become a Working Genius Certified Facilitator: https://www.workinggenius.com/client/certification/...
What makes Discernment unique, and why is it often so difficult to accurately place within our results? This week, Pat, Cody and Beau discuss the perceived implications behind having - or not having - Discernment as a Working Genius. To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast
At work, we can't always use our Geniuses as much as we'd like. This week, Pat, Cody, Beau and Matt discuss how we can find ways to exercise our Geniuses while we're off the clock. To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast Working Genius Store: https://www.workinggenius.com/store
What is your third letter? This week, the team discusses the impact that your first Working Competency has on the way you use your Geniuses. To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast Working Genius Store: https://www.workinggenius.com/store
What is the best way to tap into each Genius? This week, the team goes over the questions we can ask and the high-impact phrases we can use to successfully engage and activate each Working Genius type. Collaborating with Each Genius Handout: https://tinyurl.com/wgcollaborationresource Working Genius Certification Program: https://workinggenius.me/certpodcast23 To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast...
This week's rerun originally aired on January 21, 2022 We've talked about the altitude of each Genius, the 3 stages of work, regulating your Genius, and the Genius of meetings. What do you get when you roll all of these concepts together? A new Working Genius framework that applies to any conversation at work.
If you aren't regularly utilizing your Working Geniuses, you won't be able to take full advantage of your strengths. This week, Pat and the team discuss atrophy as it relates to the Working Genius model. To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast
It's a productivity tool, not just a personality assessment. This week, Pat and the team dissect a team map and describe how it can be used to make any team more effective. To take the Six Types of Working Genius Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/ WG Certification Program: https://www.workinggenius.com/client/certification/ Team Application Guide: https://www.workinggenius.com/teamapplicationguide WG Team Maps: https://tinyurl.com/WGteammaps New! Working Genius Store: https://www.working...
Young people and students are no strangers to feeling overwhelmed, misunderstood, and anxious. This week, Pat and the team speak directly to students, parents, teachers and administrators about how the Working Genius model - and the new version of the assessment - can be utilized to set up students for success. Working Genius for Students Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/students To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast...
Three years of using the Working Genius model to explain, analyze, and even anticipate behavior has led us to some interesting observations. This week, Pat, Cody and Beau discuss the words and phrases that each Genius - and each Genius pairing - often says. Staffing Industry Webinar - Tuesday, May 21: https://www.workinggenius.com/webinars To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast...
What additional insights can you gather from being a W, D, or E vs. an I, G, or T? This week, Pat, Cody, Tracy and Beau discuss just how impactful it is to consider the responsive and/or disruptive nature of your Working Geniuses. To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast Related Episode: https://www.workinggenius.com/wg-podcast-post/3-are-you-a-disruptor-or-a-responder...
Nobody wants to have to advocate for or defend the legitimacy and value of their own Geniuses. This week, Pat and the team discuss some things that certain Geniuses are crushed by, and how we can help each other avoid them. To register for Working Genius Industry Webinars: https://tinyurl.com/IndustryWebinars Working Genius for Students Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/students Related Episodes: https://tinyurl.com/WGPodcastWhatEachGeniusCraves Email: podcast@tablegroup.com...
When hiring a new employee, it's important to make sure the candidate is a culture fit and that they have the necessary skills and experience for the role. However, these aren't the only things we need to consider. This week, Pat and the team discuss the idea of hiring to fill gaps on a team. To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast To take the Six Types of Working Genius Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/ Working Genius Team Application Guide: https://www.wor...
In a marriage, a project team, or any other sort of partnership that consists of only two people, someone is going to be taking on dirty work. This week, Pat and the team discuss the necessity of awareness and gratitude in every partnership. WGP Episode 38 What Each Genius Craves: https://tinyurl.com/WhatEachGeniusCraves Working Genius Podcast Webpage: https://www.workinggenius.com/podcast To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast...
Use the Working Genius model to nail your next job interview and land the job you really want. This week, Pat, Cody, Tracy and Beau discuss authentic interviewing and the idea of being rejected for the right reasons. Related Episodes: Best Job Worst Job: https://www.workinggenius.com/wg-podcast-post/45-best-job-worst-job You Deserve the Right Job: https://www.workinggenius.com/wg-podcast-post/44-you-deserve-the-right-job Entering the Workforce: https://www.workinggenius.com/wg-podcast-post/11-en...
The Working Genius model should never limit someone within a role. This week, Pat is joined by Cody, Tracy and Laura as they discuss the idea of being put in a box as a result of your Geniuses. To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast
What can you do if nobody on your team has a certain disruptive Genius? This week, the team discusses the difference between behavioral and structural Galvanizing. The 49ers may have lost, but you can still use code TEAM25 until Wednesday, Feb 14 at midnight PT to earn 25% off all assessment purchases! Working Genius Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/ 5 Dysfunctions of a Team Assessment: https://www.tablegroup.com/topics-and-resources/teamwork-5-dysfunctions/#5dAssessment To listen to th...
On a large scale, working in your frustrations can lead to dissatisfaction and burnout. But how does it affect us in the moment? This week, Pat and the team discuss how the way we get work done can make us grumpy, and what that means for the way we approach tasks. To listen to the At the Table Podcast: tinyurl.com/atthetablepodcast
