EP128 – Using the Working Genius Model to Build Better MSP Teams – with Chris Cooke

About this episode

Chris Cooke discusses the Working Genius assessment and its application in building better MSP teams.

Chris joins Daniel and Adam to discuss Patrick Lencioni's Working Genius assessment, a 40-question framework about where people get energy and joy at work, contrasting it with tools like Myers-Briggs and DISC (communication preference). He explains the WIDGET model: Wonder (identify gaps), Invention (generate ideas), Discernment (judge ideas), Galvanizing (rally action), Enablement (help others move work forward), and Tenacity (drive to completion), plus how each person has two geniuses, two competencies, and two frustrations. They cover applying the model in MSPs to improve role fit, career progression (e.g., L1 vs escalations, sales vs sales management), meeting focus (strategy vs tactics), recruitment language, and reducing burnout through intentional time spent in frustration areas. 00:00 Introductions and Banter 00:23 Why Working Genius 02:08 WIDGET Overview 02:32 Wonder and Invention 03:18 Discernment and Galvanizing 04:13 Enablement and Tenacity 05:45 Genius Competency Frustration 07:50 Applying it to Meetings 09:17 Business Gaps and Stages 10:25 Every Job Uses All Six 12:04 Role Fit Sales Example 14:37 Technicians Need Clarity 15:07 Clarity Versus Escalations 15:50…

People in this episode

Host: Daniel Welling

Guest: Chris Cooke

Topics covered

• Working Genius Model
• MSP Teams
• Role Fit
• Career Progression
• Burnout Reduction
• Meeting Focus

Keywords

• Working Genius
• WIDGET model
• role fit
• career paths
• burnout
• meeting focus
• recruitment language

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Patrick Lencioni, Myers-Briggs, DISC

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