What’s In Your Working Genius?

Understanding your motivation is a critical starting point for transformational self-awareness. Think of motivation in terms of energy depletion. What type of work gives you energy when you’re doing it versus what type of work drains your energy. Having this insight begins to shape an appreciation for the superpowers included in your design. The gifts you were wired with and when used, promote a positive impact in your life and your world. 

Rather than simply thinking of particular tasks or activities, use Patrick Lencioni’s The Six Types of Working Genius to think more broadly. In the book, he describes the following categories of work: Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enabling, and Tenacity. The theory is you have two of these geniuses that are natural and fulfilling, two that you have capability in for brief periods of time, and two that feel completely unnatural and draining.

To experience moving forward, review the descriptions for each below, rating yourself green (yep, that’s me), yellow (uh, sometimes), and red (nope, not my cup of tea) for each one:

• Wonder: You enjoy pondering the big questions. You like to think about potential.
• Invention: You think in ideas. You have a big imagination, drawn to innovation.
• Discernment: You like to judge, evaluate ideas. You use your intuition.
• Galvanizing: You enjoy organizing and pushing teams. You energize projects.
• Enablement: You like to meet people where they are and support them.
• Tenacity: You diligently drive projects to completion. You enjoy crossing the finish line.

Now review your daily tasks and activities evaluating what category they fall into and marking with the appropriate color. Find the work labeled red and determine if it is important and necessary. If it’s not both, intentionally stop doing it to open up time for work labeled green.

Tip: Go deeper into what motivates you. Take the working genius online assessment here.