GrowLeader Podcast, Ep. 89: Patrick Lencioni – The 6 Types of Working Genius
Release Date: December 15, 2025
Host: Chris Hodges
Guest: Patrick Lencioni
Episode Overview
This episode dives deep into Patrick Lencioni’s “6 Types of Working Genius,” a framework for understanding the distinct ways people are naturally wired to contribute at work. Chris Hodges and Patrick discuss why the tool was created, how it uncovers and redeems the diversity of gifts on a team, and its transformative impact on productivity, unity, and culture—especially for church leadership. Practical stories, implementation strategies, and real-time applications abound, making this an essential listen for teams looking to maximize every member’s God-given potential.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Origin of the Working Genius Model
- Patrick’s Discovery: Initially created while wrestling with frustration in his own work despite loving his role and team.
- “Pastors can relate to this. I love what I do. I love the people I do it with. Why do I get grumpy sometimes when I'm here?” (Patrick, 03:21)
- Developed organically—validated by colleagues, then tested widely across organizations and churches.
- Core Problem: People feel judged or guilty about things they struggle with, not realizing these are simply areas outside their “genius.”
- “It helps us avoid unnecessary guilt and shame … and helps us know the gifts God gives us in doing things and the gifts he doesn’t give us.” (Patrick, 05:28)
2. Defining the 6 Types of Working Genius
- Patrick outlines the six types, which every task, project, or mission requires to move from idea to outcome. Each person has two “geniuses,” two “competencies,” and two “frustrations.”
| # | Genius | Description & Natural Inclination | Memorable Insights | |----|-------------|------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------| | 1 | Wonder | Ponders possibilities, asks “what if?”—not always valued or understood as a gift. <br> “They’ve been criticized for it … but it’s a genius.” (Patrick, 09:09) | | 2 | Invention | Generates new ideas and solutions—loves creating from scratch. | | 3 | Discernment| Instinctive judgment, intuition, pattern recognition—“good gut.” <br> “You can ask these people for advice about things they don’t know a lot about … and they’re usually right.” (Patrick, 11:03) | | 4 | Galvanizing| Rallies and motivates people to action—gets things moving. | | 5 | Enablement | Responds readily to needs, helps others achieve their goals. | | 6 | Tenacity | Brings work to completion, relentless about finishing. |
- The sequence: Work ideally starts with Wonder/Invention (Ideation), moves through Discernment/Galvanizing (Activation), and ends with Enablement/Tenacity (Implementation).
- “God made us to need one another.” (Patrick, 14:09)
3. From Insight to Application: Team Mapping and Organizational Health
- Mapping Your Team: Teams fill out the assessment, revealing natural “gaps” in types that explain chronic frustrations or bottlenecks.
- “We have a total gap there. That’s why we’re terrible at this!” (Patrick, 14:51)
- Shifts the culture from judgment (“they’re so flaky…” vs. “they’re so rigid…”) to appreciation.
- “Suddenly, you have grace for somebody.” (Patrick, 16:03)
- Challenges the myth that everyone should excel in everything; instead, teams thrive when every genius is honored and utilized.
4. Personal Insight: Navigating Your Own Geniuses & Frustrations
- Should you work on your frustrations?
- “No. Just know this: We all have to do things in our frustration sometimes … but I’m gonna tell everybody around me, you guys know I’m not good at this.” (Patrick, 16:53)
- Minimizing time spent in frustration boosts productivity, morale, and personal satisfaction.
- Redistributing tasks among team members unlocks energy and excellence for everyone:
- “You’re asking me to use my genius … and it’s my frustration and it’s one plus one equals five.” (Patrick, 18:21)
5. Real-World Stories: Immediate Impact
- Example of a tech company that hadn’t innovated in 15 years—discovered gaps in Wonder and Invention, reassigned roles according to true genius, and transformed performance.
- “You’re the inventor. Why don’t we put you in a job that allows you to invent?” (Patrick, 21:25)
- In churches, retooling teams based on Working Genius reduces frustration, clarifies gifting, and improves results with less burnout.
6. Biblical Parallels and Theological Validation
- The framework echoes Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 on the Body of Christ and spiritual gifts.
- “The eye can’t say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you.’ … we need the whole body to function in their own specific way.” (Chris, 22:45)
7. Chris Hodges’ Assessment Results and Coaching Live
- Chris shares that his geniuses are Tenacity and Galvanizing—he’s the “butt kicker,” moving things forward and finishing.
- “You galvanize people and you finish things. So you are the assertive driver.” (Patrick, 23:36)
- Discusses the importance of naming and accepting both strengths and frustrations.
- Patrick encourages open team conversation so everyone has “permission” to show up as their real selves.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On discovering your genius:
- “What a great thing when we realize we don’t have to be all things to all people.” (Patrick, 06:50)
- On letting go of guilt:
- “It helps us avoid unnecessary guilt and shame that we’ve been feeling all our lives.” (Patrick, 05:28)
- On team awareness:
- “When you learn that we’re wired this way, you suddenly have grace for somebody. And I’ve learned to love my wife more because … the mistakes she and I make together are predictable.” (Patrick, 16:14)
- On application:
- “The best teams will minimize how much time you have to spend in your frustrations.” (Patrick, 18:15)
- On feedback from using Working Genius:
- “We used to get frustrated at each other and now we’re understanding each other and we’ve reorganized.” (Patrick, 20:12)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [03:21] – Patrick shares the origin story of Working Genius
- [07:12-14:33] – Detailed explanation of the Six Types of Working Genius
- [14:46-16:33] – Applying the model to teams, creating team maps, and building grace
- [16:53-19:09] – Navigating your own working frustrations and maximizing your genius
- [20:12-22:41] – Stories of organizational transformation through Working Genius
- [23:09-26:36] – Chris’s personal Working Genius results and live assessment
- [27:10-30:37] – Dealing with working frustrations and what to do about assessment surprises
- [31:24-33:30] – Step-by-step advice for pastors/leaders wanting to implement Working Genius
- [33:33-34:11] – Where to find the assessment and resources
Practical Steps to Implement Working Genius
- Take the Assessment: Start with yourself and review your results honestly.
- “Go take the assessment and digest it. Really digest it and talk to your spouse about it.” (Patrick, 31:24)
- Discuss Results with Your Team: Share your findings, get feedback, encourage openness about geniuses and frustrations.
- Team Mapping: Have the entire team take the assessment, then map the distribution of geniuses to spot gaps/overlaps.
- Reassign Responsibilities: Adjust roles and expectations to maximize each person’s time in their genius, minimize frustrations.
- Adopt the Language: Use the Working Genius terminology in meetings for clarity and humor.
- Example: “Is this an ID meeting or a Tenacity meeting?” (Patrick, 32:47)
- Embrace Ongoing Growth: Revisit and revise as the team changes, regularly checking alignment and energy levels.
Resources
- Assessment and More Info:
- workinggenius.com (videos, guides, youth version, team mapping tools)
Patrick Lencioni’s closing encouragement:
“You are being the person God made you to be.” (Patrick, 26:25)
Chris Hodges wraps up with gratitude, noting the practical, spiritual, and personal impact of Lencioni’s work on his leadership journey.
End of Summary