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.

How can the Working Genius model prevent decision-making confusion?

In episode 94 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat, Cody, and guest Krista Kotrla unpack the concept of “crossing the decision line,” exploring how leaders can move from healthy conflict to clear commitments, avoiding the trap of endless discernment and re-decision. Through practical tools like end-of-meeting discipline, clarity over certainty, and understanding the nuances of galvanizing, they discuss how to drive alignment, commitment, and faster execution.

Krista Kotrla is a consultant with The Table Group who helps leaders turn healthy conflict into clear commitments.

Topics explored in this episode:

* 00:00 – Defining the Decision Line

* 06:50 – Decision Science vs. Implementation Science

* 09:41 – Linking the Decision Line to the Five Dysfunctions

* 13:44 – Galvanizing and Communication After Decisions

* 16:35 – Real-World Example of Clarity Over Consensus

* 21:33 – The Power of Clarity in Leadership

Thanks to Krista Kotrla for being on the show!

Visit: https://kristakotrla.com/

Connect with Krista on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristakotrla

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).

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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).

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Are you unintentionally discouraging others by calling something “easy”?

In episode 92 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody explore the pitfalls of assuming that what’s easy and fun for you will be the same for others. They explore how working within your genius can make tasks feel effortless and how this can mislead us when advising or leading others. This episode is a reminder to value your own strengths and to honor the differences in how others are wired.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00) The Myth of Easy and Fun

* Pat shares a story about someone saying a college major was “easy and fun” without considering individual differences.

* The idea that what's easy within your genius can be misleading for others.

(03:18) Why 'Easy' Can Hurt

* Labeling tasks as “easy” can unintentionally demotivate or discourage others who struggle.

* People may feel inadequate or undervalued when they can't replicate what seems effortless to someone else.

(06:29) Practice vs. Joy

* Mastery alone doesn't lead to fulfillment if you're not working in your genius.

* Pat reflects on writing as a gift and contrasts it with skills he’s developed that still feel like a chore.

(09:29) Self-Awareness and Respecting Differences

* How practicing wonder isn’t fulfilling for Cody even if he gets better at it.

* The need to avoid pushing people into roles they’re not wired for.

(13:01) Real-World Consequences

* Misjudging others’ working genius can lead to years stuck in an unfulfilling career.

* Parenting and workplace examples that show how important it is to honor different gifts.

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.

Follow Pat Lencioni on 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 (

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

How can recognizing the “lowercase” application of your Working Genius improve your contributions to projects and increase your job fulfillment?

In episode 90 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore the distinction between “uppercase” and “lowercase” expressions of the six Working Geniuses. Joined by Matt Lencioni, they unpack how to apply your genius even when it's not the dominant need in a situation.

Topics explored in this episode:

(0:53) Introducing Uppercase and Lowercase Genius

* Using your genius in its "uppercase" glory or a "lowercase" supportive capacity.

(4:34) Applying Genius in Different Contexts

* Examples of uppercase geniuses, like a "Wonder" (W) initiating a new project or an "Inventor" (I) developing a new product.

* How lowercase W or I contributes to a launch meeting by wondering and inventing within the launch's context.

(8:16) Self-Regulation and Team Trust

* The difference between unhelpfully disruptive uppercase contributions and service-oriented lowercase ones.

(12:55) Shared Language

* Applying lowercase genius to prevent individuals from dominating.

* How Working Genius provides a shared language for feedback, fostering trust.

* Knowing one another's working geniuses allows for intentional delegation and contribution, leading to greater joy and fulfillment.

A note for new listeners/viewers: In this episode, Pat and Cody dive deep into the Six Types of Working Genius, a model that helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. If you’re new to our framework, perhaps consider checking out some earlier episodes of The Working Genius Podcast. Or, if you’re interested, you can take The Six Types of Working Genius assessment, which is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://www.workinggenius.com/about/assessment

Refresher: The initials discussed in this episode refer to:

W = Wonder.

I = Invention.

D = Discernment.

G = Galvanizing.

E = Enablement.

T = Tenacity.

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

How often do you assume someone’s behavior is a flaw in their character instead of a feature of their genius?

In episode 89 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson unpack the “Fundamental Attribution Error” and how it damages relationships at work and at home. They explain how people often misjudge each other’s actions as flaws rather than features of their unique Working Genius. By walking through all six Geniuses, the hosts show how greater understanding can lead to less guilt, less judgment, and better collaboration.

Topics explored in this episode:

(0:35) Understanding the Attribution Trap

* The fundamental attribution error leads us to blame others’ character while excusing our own behavior.

* Working Genius helps reframe annoying behaviors as strengths expressed out of context.

(5:35) Wonder and Invention

* Wonderers can be misjudged as unfocused, skeptical, or afraid to commit due to their questioning nature.

* Inventors might be seen as flaky, ego-driven, undisciplined, or impatient due to their constant flow of new ideas.

(12:38) Discernment and Galvanizing

* Discerners are often misjudged as overly judgmental due to their evaluative nature.

* Galvanizers can be perceived as overly enthusiastic, insincere, or bossy.

(21:26) Enablement and Tenacity

* People with enablement might be seen as unwilling to say no or even dishonest due to their eagerness to help and affirm.

* People with tenacity can be unfairly seen as unsympathetic or afraid to fail because of their focus on finishing tasks.

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 (

How can your understanding of Myers-Briggs add to your Working Genius?

In episode 88 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody dive into the relationship between Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Six Types of Working Genius. They explore how MBTI describes who you are (the noun), while Working Genius describes what you do best (the verb). Through examples and insights, they show how combining both tools can improve self-awareness, team collaboration, and career decisions.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:40) Nouns vs. Verbs: The Core Difference

* MBTI describes your personality preferences—the "noun" of who you are.

* Working Genius identifies the activities you love—the "verb" of what you do.

(04:30) A Crash Course in MBTI

* The four MBTI dimensions: E/I, N/S, T/F, and J/P.

* How these traits affect decision-making and communication.

(7:31) No Overlap, But Total Alignment

* Working Genius and MBTI have no direct correlation—and that’s a strength.

* Personal anecdotes show how people with the same MBTI have different Working Geniuses.

* The pairing of both tools unlocks richer insight into how someone works and thrives.

(18:59) Real Examples

* Stories from The Table Group that contrast MBTI and Working Genius. .

(24:46) Advanced Nuance and Practical Use

* The concept of a "secondary MBTI type."

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