The concept of the “Six Types of Working Genius” is a model developed by Patrick Lencioni, a renowned business consultant and author.
This model is designed to help individuals and teams in organizations understand their unique areas of talent, thereby improving productivity, collaboration, and job satisfaction.
The six types of working genius are Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity (WIDGET).
Background Overview of the Six Types of Working Genius
- Wonder: This is the natural ability to recognize and appreciate the need for change or improvement in a given situation.
- Invention: This is the talent for creating original and novel ideas or solutions to address identified needs.
- Discernment: This is the capacity to evaluate, make decisions, or judge ideas or solutions critically and intuitively to determine their viability.
- Galvanizing: This is the ability to rally and inspire others to take action on an idea or solution.
- Enablement: This is the talent for providing encouragement and assistance to others in the execution of an idea or solution.
- Tenacity: This is the drive to ensure the completion and success of a project or solution.
Exploration and Discussion of the Six Types of Working Genius
- Wonder: Individuals with this genius are often the catalysts for change within an organization. They have a keen sense for identifying areas that need improvement. For example, a team member might notice a gap in the company’s customer service process and suggest a review.
- Invention: Inventors are the idea generators. They thrive on creating novel solutions to problems. For instance, a product developer might come up with a new feature that significantly enhances user experience.
- Discernment: Discerners have a knack for evaluating ideas and identifying potential pitfalls. They can intuitively judge the feasibility of a new product line or the potential impact of a marketing strategy.
- Galvanizing: Galvanizers are the motivators. They can rally a team behind a project and drive them towards action. A project manager, for example, might inspire their team to meet a challenging deadline.
- Enablement: Enablers are the supporters. They provide the necessary assistance to others to ensure the successful execution of a project. An HR manager, for instance, might facilitate training programs to equip employees with necessary skills.
- Tenacity: Tenacious individuals are the finishers. They ensure that projects are completed and goals are achieved. A salesperson, for instance, might persistently follow up with potential clients until a deal is closed.
Features and Benefits of the Six Types of Working Genius
Understanding the six types of working genius can offer numerous benefits:
- Improved Teamwork: By understanding each team member’s genius, teams can work more cohesively and efficiently.
- Increased Job Satisfaction: Individuals can align their roles with their genius, leading to increased job design and satisfaction.
- Enhanced Productivity: By leveraging each person’s genius, companies can boost overall productivity.
- Reduced Conflict: Understanding and appreciating the different geniuses can reduce misunderstandings and conflicts within teams.
Challenges with the Six Types of Working Genius
While the assessment model offers numerous benefits, it also presents some challenges:
- Misunderstanding and Misuse: Misunderstanding one’s genius or using it inappropriately can lead to conflicts.
- Over-reliance: Over-reliance on one’s genius can lead to neglect of other important skills.
- Imbalance: A team with an imbalance of geniuses may struggle with certain tasks.
Eight Ways to Use an Awareness of the Six Types of Working Genius in Business
- Team Building: Use the model to create balanced teams.
- Recruitment: Use it to recruit individuals with the necessary genius for specific roles.
- Conflict Resolution: Use it to understand and resolve conflicts.
- Career Development: Use it to guide career development plans and understand your personality.
- Leadership Development: Use it to develop effective leadership styles.
- Project Management: Use it to assign tasks based on individuals’ genius.
- Performance Evaluation: Use it to evaluate performance more holistically.
- Organizational Culture: Use it to foster a culture of understanding and appreciation.
Eight Steps to Get Started with Using an Awareness of the Six Types of Working Genius
- Understand the Model: Familiarize yourself with the six types of working genius.
- Identify Your Genius: Use assessments to identify your genius.
- Share Your Genius: Share your genius with your team.
- Identify Team Genius: Identify the genius of each team member.
- Discuss the Implications: Discuss how each genius impacts your work.
- Align Roles with Genius: Align roles and tasks with each person’s genius.
- Monitor and Adjust: Monitor the process and make necessary adjustments.
- Celebrate Success: Celebrate the success and improvements brought about by this new understanding.
Conclusion
The “Six Types of Working Genius” model is a powerful assessment tool for enhancing teamwork and productivity within companies.
By understanding and leveraging each individual’s unique genius, companies can foster a more collaborative, efficient, and satisfying work environment.
However, it’s crucial to remember that while this model can guide us, it doesn’t define us entirely.
We are all capable of working outside our genius when necessary.
If you’re interested, you can complete an online assessment to determine which type of working genius you are. The assessment takes 10 minutes to complete. We do not get any form of payment from completing this assessment – www.WorkingGenius.com.
