The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

Could you be judging someone’s Working Genius based on the wrong expectations?In episode 123 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore whether someone can truly be bad at an area of Working Genius and why a genuine genius can sometimes appear ineffective to others. They unpack the influence of genius pairings, assessment bias, timing, context, environment, and the specific problem someone is trying to solve. The conversation also reveals the surprising danger of becoming exceptionally good at work that drains you, especially when that competence causes others to keep asking you to do more of it.Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Can You Actually Be Bad at Your Genius?Pat introduces the question of whether someone can genuinely have a Working Genius while appearing to be ineffective in that area.Pat and Cody consider inaccurate assessment results, lack of practice, and the distinction between natural genius and learned capability.(04:26) Your Pairing Changes EverythingCody explains how a person’s second genius can dramatically change what the first genius looks like in practice.Pat and Cody contrast different forms of Invention and explain why comparing someone to a narrow definition of a genius can lead to false conclusions.(08:28) The Danger of Mastering Your FrustrationsPat and Cody discuss why becoming highly skilled at work that drains you can create a trap where others continually expect that work from you.Pat describes how years of succeeding through his Working Frustrations ultimately contributed to a strong aversion to finishing and execution-oriented tasks.(12:00) Right Genius, Wrong TimeCody explains how a genius used out of sequence or directed toward the wrong problem can appear destructive, annoying, or ineffective.Pat and Cody explore how timing, restraint, context, and the quality of the underlying opportunity all influence whether a genius produces a useful result.(16:09) How Environment Shapes Your GeniusPat and Cody caution against labeling someone as bad at their genius without first considering pairing, context, timing, and the environment in which that genius developed.They close by examining how family, culture, comparison, and past experience can shape a person’s understanding of what strong performance in a genius actually looks like.This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficialStay Connected with Patrick LencioniLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealthInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficialX: https://x.com/patricklencioniThe Working Genius Podcast with Patrick LencioniApple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://tablegroup.me/apple), Spotify (https://tablegroup.me/sptfy), and YouTube (https://tablegroup.me/youtube). Let us know your feedback via [email protected]. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How might a layoff create space for you to pursue work that energizes you rather than drains you?In episode 101 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody explore why layoffs—while often painful—can become pivotal moments of clarity and reinvention. They also explain how the Working Genius framework provides a roadmap for choosing future roles that offer joy, energy, and long-term career sustainability. Topics explored in this episode: (02:20) What Layoffs Reveal About Misaligned Work* How many people fall into roles based on majors, circumstance, or convenience—not joy and energy.* How Working Genius uncovers transferable strengths that open doors.(04:59) Rethinking Identity and Job Descriptions* How job descriptions often fail to capture the actual genius needed for success.* Employees who thrived after shifting roles, including a lawyer who moved into a technology leadership role using his Genius.(07:50) Why Most People Aren’t Working in Their Genius* How few people truly operate within their strengths.* The value of cultural fit, personal interests, and joy—not just salary—when choosing a new role.(14:54) Life Changes and the Power of a Reset* How life transitions and financial considerations can open unexpected possibilities for better-fit work.This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficialStay Connected with Patrick LencioniLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealthInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficialX: https://x.com/patricklencioniThe Working Genius Podcast with Patrick LencioniApple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://tablegroup.me/apple), Spotify (https://tablegroup.me/sptfy), and YouTube (https://tablegroup.me/youtube). Let us know your feedback via [email protected]. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How does being an Inventor-Discerner shape your leadership style when guiding a team?In episode 99 of the Working Genius Podcast, In this episode, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson welcome master facilitator Claire Laughlin to unpack the unique strengths and quirks of the Inventor-Discerner (ID) pairing. Together, they explore how people with this Working Genius pairing constantly generate, refine, and iterate ideas in real time. Claire Laughlin is a dynamic trainer and coach who helps teams communicate better and lead with purpose. As one of The Table Group’s master facilitators, she teaches the Working Genius model to leaders and organizations worldwide.Topics explored in this episode: (00:30) The Joy of Being an Inventor-Discerner* Claire shares how her brain instantly starts creating when pressure subsides.(05:00) The ID Loop in Action* How invention and discernment happen almost simultaneously.(09:00) How IDs Annoy and Delight Others* How an ID’s confidence and quick thinking can overwhelm teammates.(14:00) Feeding Creativity * How IDs can stay connected to wonder instead of jumping straight to ideas.* How curiosity and real-world problems can ignite your genius.(21:00) Living the Working Genius Every Day* How Claire uses Working Genius to solve team problems.Thanks to Claire Laughlin for being on the show! Learn more about Claire: https://www.clairelaughlin.com Connect with Claire on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairelaughlin/ This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficialStay Connected with Patrick LencioniLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealthInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficialX: https://x.com/patricklencioniThe Working Genius Podcast with Patrick LencioniApple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://tablegroup.me/apple), Spotify (https://tablegroup.me/sptfy), and YouTube (https://tablegroup.me/youtube). Let us know your feedback via [email protected]. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.