Book Recommendation: Working Genius

Patrick Lencioni's new book, "Working Genius," has numerous applications. I personally use it for executive coaching and training opportunities. It is not just another personality profile; rather, it focuses 20% on personality and 80% on how work is actually accomplished. Lencioni follows the capital WIDGET format to explain the different aspects of working genius.

The W in WIDGET stands for Wonder. People with the genius of Wonder love to speculate and ask questions about why things are the way they are and if there could be a better way. They enjoy dreaming and imagining possibilities.

The I in WIDGET is for Invention. People with the genius of Invention derive great joy from taking on challenges, finding solutions, and creating new things.

The D in WIDGET represents Discernment. Individuals with the genius of Discernment possess a natural ability to evaluate. They have a knack for sharpening things and determining if they will work or not.

The G in WIDGET stands for Galvanizing. People with the genius of Galvanizing love to get things moving. They excel at casting a vision and rallying the entire group to move forward.

The E in WIDGET represents Enablement. Individuals with the genius of Enablement derive satisfaction from helping others complete their projects. They actively seek out people who need assistance and provide the necessary support.

Lastly, the T in WIDGET stands for Tenacity. People with the genius of Tenacity love to see things through to completion. They enjoy checking off tasks and crossing the finish line.

Lencioni emphasizes that individuals have two geniuses, two competencies, and two frustrations. Understanding our two geniuses helps us identify where we excel and where we can make our best contributions.

While every job involves all six aspects of the WIDGET framework, it is important to recognize the stages of each task. The first stage is ideation, which encompasses Wonder and Invention. The second stage is activation, which includes Discernment and Galvanizing. The final stage is implementation, which involves Enablement and Tenacity.

Teams often make the mistake of skipping the activation stage and jumping straight from ideation to implementation. It is crucial to go through the discernment process, ensuring that the right things are being done, and to galvanize everyone involved before moving forward.

"Working Genius" offers a comprehensive framework for understanding how individuals and teams can excel in their work. As someone certified in this concept, I find it highly effective and encourage others to read the book. If you need assistance with your team, feel free to reach out.

Here are 5 application questions your team can expect from "Working Genius":

  1. What are your working genius types?

  2. How can you use your working genius types to better collaborate with your team members?

  3. How can you delegate tasks to your team members in a way that plays to their strengths?

  4. How can you create a team culture that values and celebrates different working genius types?

  5. How can you use your team's working genius types to achieve your team's goals?

Hal Mayer