Podcast Summary: The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

Episode 82: Off the Clock
Date: September 4, 2024
Host: Patrick Lencioni with Beau, Cody, and Matt

Main Theme

This episode explores how individuals can exercise their "Working Genius"—the talents and natural types of work that energize them—outside of their formal jobs. The team discusses why it's vital for personal fulfillment and mental health to express these gifts "off the clock," especially when work doesn't align with one's genius areas. They brainstorm creative and realistic ways for each of the six types of Working Genius (Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, Tenacity) to find outlets in daily life, hobbies, family, and community involvement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Use Your Genius Off the Clock?

• Personal Wholeness & Sanity: Not using your genius can lead to frustration and "atrophy" of your gifts, with lasting effects on well-being and even future work success.

  "We just stay sane and whole and healthy. ...not exercising not only leads to atrophy, but it's just really unhealthy for us as people." (Pat, 02:05)

• Work Isn't Everything: Much of life requires 'work,' not only paid jobs. Applying working genius to all aspects of life increases fulfillment.

  "All of life is work, you know? Even organizing the work you have outside of your job in a way that plays to your working genius can lead to more joy and fulfillment." (Cody, 03:12)

• Recognition and Hobbies: A fulfilling hobby typically leverages your genius, not just trends or social expectations.

  "Golf is not my hobby because it doesn't allow me to use my geniuses." (Pat, 00:49)

2. Outlets for Each Genius—Practical Examples & Reflections

Invention (I)

• Writing (screenplays, stories, for the sake of invention itself)
• Early morning creativity; inventive hobbies not tied to productivity outcomes

  "I had this innate desire to invent and come up with new ideas, and even if it meant I had to stay at my desk til 11 o'clock at night... it was giving me an outlet." (Pat, 05:01) "It took me a long time to get over that I wasn't being, quote, productive, that the writing wasn't going anywhere... it was for its own sake." (Beau, 05:38)

Discernment (D)

• Curating content: documentaries, podcasts, movies—extracting and sharing key insights

  "My favorite thing is actually just picking out the one or two concepts that I thought were brilliant." (Cody, 08:52)

• Organizing/rearranging: furniture, kitchen, bookshelves to maximize efficiency
• Making lists, debating rankings in casual conversation

  "I love rearranging things... it's fun for me to figure out the best way to store things effectively and efficiently." (Matt, 10:11)

Wonder (W)

• Constantly "on"—ruminating, pondering possibilities, rearranging, or asking 'what if'
• Indulging curiosity—allowing time for daydreaming and speculative thought

  "It's about indulging those thoughts that I have on a regular basis... and I'm going to use my discernment in order to accomplish whatever it is that my W is identifying for me." (Matt, 11:15)

Galvanizing (G)

• Coaching youth sports teams, rallying kids or friends, parenting

  "I coached my daughter's 5-year-old basketball team and boy, do you get to exercise galvanizing over and over." (Cody, 15:04)

• Volunteering for causes you care about—mobilizing others where you have conviction

  "Galvanizing goes really well when it's responding to discernment... if you find an organization that you really believe in... galvanizing comes more naturally." (Beau, 16:24)

Enablement (E)

• Volunteering in community, church, or school—saying "How can I help?"
• Supporting family, neighbors, or any group needing reliable help

  "Just being able to offer, 'Hey, I'd love to help this weekend.' ...There are people...that need your genius of enablement." (Beau, 20:44)

• Seeking roles where support is noticed and appreciated (not just needed)

  "Find a place where your enablement is seen and recognized and thanked." (Beau, 19:16)

Tenacity (T)

• Picking projects with clear completion: building, organizing, finishing puzzles or kits
• Choosing tasks that have clear "done" status for satisfaction

  "People with T like to say, 'It got finished.' I'm going to mow the lawn and I'm going to finish every bit of it." (Pat, 22:49)

• Volunteering where there is a clear, finite task

  "You want to volunteer at something where there is a task at the end, where you get it done, right?" (Pat, 23:43)

3. Genius Frustrations and Relationships

• Not everyone values or recognizes the same geniuses; frustration when support, discernment, or invention goes unappreciated
• Genius in relationships: how to use genius with family and friends, balancing the urge to express with others’ receptiveness

  "Discernment is also not always welcome [in relationships]. ...How do you do that in a way that is still giving you energy, even if it's not specifically being invited?" (Beau, 12:49)

• Recognizing that some talents, like enablement, might be exercised less after life transitions (ex: empty nesting), and proactively seeking outlets

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Some people are never recognized for their genius in their whole life until they get to be an adult. In fact, people said, 'Quit doing that, it drives me crazy'.... That really screws you up." —Pat (02:13)
• "I joke that I'm going to start a podcast called Curated by Cody..." —Cody (08:52)
• "Sometimes at home, I'll be bored, and I'll come up with my list of top 20 movies in alphabetical order... but I love it, I love curating, and that's using discernment." —Pat (14:17)
• "If you're a galvanizer and you can't do it at work, go coach. Go do something where somebody is asking you to push them and encourage them." —Pat (15:57)
• "If enablement is your thing, there's probably a lot of opportunities for that...Find someone who needs you and make yourself available to them." —Pat (19:43)
• "You want to volunteer at something where there is a task at the end, where you get it done, right?" —Pat (23:43)
• "It's really doing genius. ...Let's find a way to put ourselves in a position to exercise all of our geniuses. If it's not how we get paid, then let's indulge those geniuses outside of work." —Pat (24:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:33 – Introduction to "off the clock" theme
• 02:05 – Why it's important to exercise your genius outside of work
• 04:36 – Invention: outlets for inventors when work doesn't provide them
• 08:52 – Discernment: content curation, lists, and recognizing patterns
• 11:15 – Wonder: indulging curiosity and daydreaming
• 15:04 – Galvanizing: coaching and mobilizing others outside work
• 18:45 – Enablement: volunteering, being available to help
• 22:49 – Tenacity: seeking completion-oriented projects
• 24:08 – Recap: why "doing genius" is an everyday need

Conclusion

The hosts demonstrate both the universality and individuality of the Working Genius framework, highlighting how understanding and exercising your genius is crucial for fulfillment—not just in your job, but in all of life. They encourage listeners to recognize the activities that bring them energy, pursue them intentionally, and look for ways to be recognized for their unique contributions in every arena.