The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

What kind of work are you trying to master even though it consistently drains you?In episode 115 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody explore why people should not try to become great at their Working Frustrations. They explain how spending too much time in draining work can create a “work allergy,” making people resistant even to small, necessary doses of that work later on. The conversation encourages listeners to honor their natural gifts, avoid proving themselves through frustrating work, and practice moderation when unavoidable tasks arise.Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Why Frustrations Shouldn’t Become GoalsPat explains why people should not try to become excellent at the types of work that frustrate them.He argues that mastering frustrating work takes energy away from the gifts and competencies people are actually meant to develop.(02:03) The Cost of Getting Good at What You HatePat lays out several reasons why becoming good at a frustration can backfire, including sending the wrong message to others.Cody adds that trying to compete in someone else’s area of genius can create isolation instead of connection.(05:58) Pat’s Personal Work AllergyPat shares how years of forcing himself into tenacity and enablement created an aversion to discipline.He compares the experience to being forced to eat vegetables constantly and then resisting them entirely later in life.(08:34) Burnout, Exposure, and AversionCody connects the idea of work allergies to allergy treatment, explaining that small exposure can be helpful but overexposure can make aversion worse.Pat uses a basketball analogy to show how being forced into an unwanted role can make someone reject even small, necessary parts of that role later.(12:01) Finding Moderation and Honoring GiftsCody notes that every job involves all six types of work, which means people will still need to do some tasks that fall outside their genius.Pat closes by encouraging listeners not to feel guilty for doing what comes naturally and to find moderation rather than overcorrecting.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. Register for “Why Your Spouse Acts That Way” here: workinggenius.com/marriageThe 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/patricklencioniStay Connected with Cody ThompsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cody-thompson-a5918850.The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick LencioniApple: https://apple.co/4iNz6YnSpotify: https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8uYouTube: https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTubeBe sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. 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 to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. 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 to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How does your work or home environment shape the way you see your Working Genius?Episode 97 of the Working Genius Podcast explores how environment and culture can dramatically influence how people view their own talents. Patrick Lencioni, Cody Thompson, and Matt Lencioni share personal stories and client examples where individuals misunderstood their results because of the strong pull of their surroundings. They also discuss how, when you take the Working Genius assessment, it's essential to put aside what you think you should be doing and instead focus on what brings you joy and energy.Topics explored in this episode: (0:30) Environment and Perception* How our environment can distort our Working Genius assessment results.* Cody describes how people often answer based on workplace expectations instead of core joy.(5:42) Stories of Misalignment* Examples of people whose results were skewed by strong cultural or organizational environments.* A Marine veteran and a priest are highlighted as cases where structure shaped inaccurate results.(15:30) Wonder as the Overlooked Genius* How Matt misidentified his geniuses because of college leadership roles.* Why “wonder” can be undervalued in structured settings.(20:43) Liberation Through Clarity* The relief and freedom that come from discovering true geniuses.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 to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

What creative analogies can you use to help understand your joy and frustration at work?In episode 95 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick and Cody revisit one of their earliest metaphors for the Six Types of Working Genius model: the coffee cup analogy. They explore how it explains joy, competency, and frustration in work—and why new analogies like batteries, bikes, and even shoes can add nuance to the conversation. Along the way, they highlight how interest, energy, and preference intersect with genius.Topics explored in this episode: (3:42) Battery Analogies* How genius can feel like charging a phone.* Whether constant genius work is healthy or limiting.(7:30) Bike Riding Analogies* Cody introduces the uphill, flat, and downhill bike comparison.* Pat adds how electric bikes recharge, mirroring the energy of genius.(9:44) Analogies About Shoes and Household Chores * The difference between genius and personal likes/dislikes.(15:06) The Lunch Analogy * How interest or disinterest in particular subjects or meals shape our energy.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 to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

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 in this episode: (0:40) Why Galvanizing Disrupts by Nature* Unlike other Geniuses, galvanizing cannot happen in isolation—it always affects others.(4:33) Galvanizing * People with galvanizing as a frustration often avoid rallying others or making requests.* Teams without galvanizers struggle to gain momentum.(7:25) Real-Life Galvanizing* Cody shares a college story of galvanizing classmates.* Even unpopular actions can be valuable when driven by a galvanizing instinct.(11:14) Galvanizing Paired with Other Geniuses* Adding G to any Genius makes the combination more action-oriented.* Certain Genius pairings, like IG or GT, can help breakthrough change.(15:03) Leading and Conviction* Sometimes conviction or leadership can be mistaken for galvanizing.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://www.workinggenius.com/about/assessment Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth and http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

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 explored in this episode: (0:52) The Complexity of Enablement* Tracy describes how her Discernment constantly informs her Enablement.* How Enablement is often misunderstood.* Enablement goes far beyond just being helpful or friendly.(4:35) Implementation, Not Just Helping* Enablement starts implementation with people, not tasks.* Teams without E often operate in silos.(9:09) Virtue Versus Genius* Enablement isn't the same as kindness—it can be self-serving in a good way.* Tracy shares why Enablement energizes her when it serves others.(13:44) Enablement in Action * Enablement plays out in both personal moments and strategic leadership.(17:21) Regulating the E* Even Geniuses need regulation—especially Enablement.* Recognizing when Discernment is needed over Enablement.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://www.workingGenius.com/about/assessment Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube). Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth and http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/4l1aop0), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.