The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

Episode 83: The Discernment Dilemma
Date: September 19, 2024

Episode Overview

In this episode, Patrick Lencioni, Bo, and Cody delve into the "Discernment Dilemma"—one of the most misunderstood aspects of the Working Genius model. They explore what discernment actually means within the framework, how it differs from intelligence and expertise, why it's a source of tension or even insecurity for many teams, and practical ideas for embracing or activating this genius in the workplace and beyond.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What is Discernment in the Working Genius Context?

• Discernment as a Working Genius:
  • It’s the ability to look at situations, solutions, or problems and “see things that others might not,” such as pattern recognition, integrative thinking, intuition, and instinct. (Pat, 00:34-01:59)
  • Not to be confused with intelligence or expertise.

    “Discernment is not at all the same thing as intelligence. It is simply a specific way of seeing, evaluating, and curating ideas.”
    – Pat, 02:24

• Discernment’s Role:
  • It lies between ideation (coming up with ideas) and implementation (making ideas real), making it seem uniquely critical.

    “Because of where it lies in the process of getting work done, it sometimes can seem more critical than others because it's the connection between ideation and implementation.”
    – Pat, 01:59

2. The Team Tensions and “Controversy”

• Dilemma in Teams:
  • Confusion and even a bit of resentment can arise because people may feel inadequate if they lack discernment, unlike other geniuses that are easier to admit missing.
  • Discernment and tenacity are the two most “wished for” geniuses; people struggle more to accept missing them. (Bo, 03:13)
  • It’s often a moment of humility to admit missing discernment, but doing so removes tension and can make people more effective.

    “When they just go, ‘Oh yeah, I don't have that one. So I'd like to ask you for your discernment,’... they actually get better at being discerning because they're not feeling the pressure to prove it.”
    – Pat, 04:29

3. Discernment vs. Expertise and Intelligence

• Misconceptions:
  • Expertise comes from study and data, while discernment can exist without deep subject knowledge.

    “Expertise is not the same as discernment. Because there can be a person who's a great expert in a subject ... whereas a person with discernment might see something uniquely even without expertise.”
    – Pat, 07:03

• Demystifying Discernment:
  • It's hard to describe, observe, or manufacture.

    “It's like when you were in high school and you got the right answer … but they said, show your work … I just know that's the answer. Sometimes it can be so hard to articulate the discernment.”
    – Cody, 06:17

4. Collective and Inclusive Discernment

• Discernment is a Team Sport:
  • Even those without discernment want to be part of the process; boxing them out can be a mistake.

    “Discerners crave trust … but even though discernment's my third, I like being in the conversation … more likely to grow discernment of your company…when you let people experience and watch it happen.”
    – Bo, 07:35-08:20

  • Exclusion can feel like “weaponizing” a genius and stifle collaboration.

    “When you box people out, it can feel like you're weaponizing it.”
    – Pat, 09:16

5. Discernment and Trust/Conflict

• Overlap with Healthy Conflict:
  • Discernment is where “ideological conflict” happens: the refining, debating, and wrestling of ideas in pursuit of the best answer.

    “Discernment is also the place where … that ideological conflict comes in.”
    – Cody, 09:59

  • High-trust teams can debate ideas more honestly and productively.

    “If you have trust and you really are truly in the discernment process … it often adds itself together…compiles to what is the best solution when people engage that way.”
    – Cody, 10:52

6. Advice for Non-Discerners

• Don’t Equate Lacking Discernment with Inferiority:
  • Don’t feel “less than”; each genius is equally important.

    “Some people feel less than or even dumb when they don't have discernment...please do not do that. This is just one of six geniuses and they're all equally important.”
    – Pat, 17:26

• Celebrate Others’ Strengths:
  • Own your strengths and be open about your gaps; it enables better teamwork.

    “If you don't have it, just be so joyful about the… so clear that you don't and that's okay and don't feel less than … it really prevents us from celebrating when other people have something more than we do.”
    – Pat, 17:26

• Activate and Invite Discernment:
  • Non-discerners should deliberately invite discerners’ feedback; discerners, in turn, should view their genius as a gift rather than a trump card.

    “Part of my role is to activate the genius of discernment of the people around me. It's to be able to ask, hey, what's in your gut?”
    – Bo, 16:02

7. Practical Team Behaviors

• Be Open and Vocal:
  • Ask discerners for their gut reactions; trust can unlock valuable, unarticulated insight.

    “If you have a discerner on your team ... and they say this doesn't seem right to me or I have this idea, lean in a little bit more to what they're saying ... there's probably something leading them to that that you want to pay attention to.”
    – Pat, 15:01

• Vulnerability-Based Trust:
  • Essential for healthy use of all geniuses; be willing to admit when you need help.

    “One of the phrases we use is, 'Hey, you're better at this than me. Can you help me?'”
    – Cody, 16:44

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Discernment is not at all the same thing as intelligence. It is simply a specific way of seeing, evaluating, and curating ideas.”
  – Pat, 02:24

• “It's like when you were in high school and you got the right answer to the math problem, but they said, show your work, and you're like, I don't know how to show my work on this.”
  – Cody, 06:17

• “If you have a discerner on your team and ... they say this doesn't seem right to me ... lean in a little bit more ... there's probably something leading them to that that you want to pay attention to.”
  – Pat, 15:01

• “It's not a trump card that I'm wanting to play.”
  – Bo, 16:01

• “If you don't have [discernment], just be so joyful about that...and don't feel less than.”
  – Pat, 17:26

Important Timestamps

• 00:34 – Pat introduces "discernment," highlighting its complexity and common misunderstandings.
• 03:13 – Bo discusses why discernment feels controversial and why people struggle to admit not having it.
• 04:29 – How admitting a lack of discernment removes pressure and improves group processes.
• 06:17 – Cody explains the difficulty of articulating or explaining discernment.
• 07:03 – Pat clarifies the distinction between expertise and discernment.
• 08:20 – The need for collective participation in discernment.
• 09:59 – Cody connects discernment with healthy, necessary team debate.
• 15:01 – Pat on the value of paying attention to discerners' insights.
• 16:02 – Bo’s advice on inviting and activating discernment within teams.
• 17:26 – Pat’s guidance to those who feel insecure about not having discernment.

Episode Takeaways

• Discernment in the Working Genius framework is a unique, vital gift, but not the same as intelligence, expertise, or being “right.”
• Healthy teams are open about each member’s gifts and gaps; inviting discerners into the process benefits everyone.
• Trust and vulnerability are foundational—without them, geniuses like discernment don’t get properly activated.
• Activating others’ genius is as important as leveraging your own; seeing each talent as a team gift is essential for joy and productivity at work.

“That is the essence of teamwork, I think... Love on people that have discernment, love on people that don’t, appreciate both sides. And that’s what the Working Genius is all about.”
— Pat (17:47)

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