Podcast Summary: TheUPside Podcast – "The Working Genius Part 2"

Host: Theresa Flood
Date: March 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In "The Working Genius Part 2," Theresa Flood explores how the Working Genius framework can transform team productivity and fulfillment. Building on the foundational concepts from the previous episode, Theresa delves into using Working Genius as a tool for assessing and optimizing team dynamics, highlighting how addressing gaps in these "geniuses" can prevent organizational stalls, reduce turnover, and lift morale. The focus is practical, with actionable steps for leaders and entrepreneurs to utilize this tool in real-world settings.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Why Teams Get Stuck

• Common Problems Addressed:
  • Projects or initiatives stall midway (01:05)
  • High team turnover (03:00)
  • Low or inconsistent team morale (04:30)

“Do you struggle sometimes with projects or initiatives getting stuck?... You look up at some point in the process and you realize, yeah, we're kind of stuck. We haven't really moved this along. It could be you are missing something in your working genius team map.”
— Theresa Flood (01:20)

2. Understanding the Working Genius Model

• Clarifies: This is not a personality test—it's a productivity tool (05:00)
• Purpose: To help people get more done by aligning roles with natural inclinations

3. The Six Working Geniuses and the Impact of Missing Each

1. Wonder (06:10)

• Role: Asks big questions, challenges assumptions
• Problem if Missing: Slow to see new opportunities or problems
• “If you are missing the genius of wonder on your team, you might... be missing that first phase of work. Right. That actually initiates change.” (06:20)

2. Invention (07:00)

• Role: Generates new ideas
• Problem if Missing: Stale, recycled solutions
• “If you are missing the genius of invention, you just recycle the same old ideas over and over.” (07:10)

3. Discernment (07:35)

• Role: Uses judgment to vet ideas
• Problem if Missing: Surprised by poor results; ideas not properly vetted
• “You might be surprised when things don't work... those ideas are [not] properly fleshed out by people who are great discerners.” (07:50)

4. Galvanizing (08:28)

• Role: Rallies team, drives buy-in
• Problem if Missing: Ideas don’t gain organizational traction
• “If you don't have galvanizers, then... you're not getting everybody else bought into the solutions.” (08:40)

5. Enablement (09:15)

• Role: Supports moving ideas into action
• Problem if Missing: No follow-through, enthusiasm dies
• "If you don't have enablers, you may lack help and support... you're just an ideas company with a lot of enthusiasm and then nothing." (09:45)

6. Tenacity (10:05)

• Role: Finishes projects, ensures completion
• Problem if Missing: Lots started, little finished
• “If you're missing tenacity... you're going to see a lot of projects not get finished.” (10:15)

4. The Hidden Cost of Misalignment

• Even skilled people placed in the "wrong seat" or spending too much time in non-genius zones become drained and unfulfilled, ultimately contributing to employee turnover or dips in morale (03:12)
• Misalignment can be deceiving—competency does not always equal fulfillment

5. Practical Steps & Team Development

• Action Steps:

  • Take the Working Genius assessment at workinggenius.com (12:45)
  • Map team results and reconsider roles as needed
  • Consider consulting or workshops to optimize team genius composition

• Empowering Teams:

  • Investing time in understanding team members’ geniuses pays productivity and fulfillment dividends
  • “When we lead our people to be in the highest and best use of their talents, when they are operating with the most amount of energy and the most amount of fulfillment, that is when we're going to see the greatest returns on the work that they're putting in.” (12:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On turnover and role alignment:
  “Maybe it's the right people in the wrong seat. Maybe they are doing too much of their their time spent in the phases of work that are draining their energy... just because something is not our genius doesn't mean we aren't good at it.” (02:45)

• On adjusting roles:
  “It could just be that you need to look at what everybody's roles are and how do you pull them into doing more of the things in the phase of work that's going to help them be fulfilled, but also help your, your business actually get unstuck.” (13:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Episode opening and premise
• 01:05 – Common productivity issues in teams
• 03:00 – The impact of misaligned roles and high turnover
• 05:00 – Working Genius as a productivity tool, not a personality test
• 06:10–10:20 – The six types of working genius and pitfalls of missing each
• 12:00 – Leadership and leveraging team strengths
• 12:45 – Action steps: Assess, map, and optimize team genius
• 13:15 – Encouragement for leaders: adjust roles for fulfillment and business success

Recommendations & Closing Thoughts

• Take Action: Complete the Working Genius assessment and discuss results as a team for better role alignment
• Utilize Resources: For deeper transformation, consider engaging Theresa or similar experts for tailored workshops (tereesaflood.com)
• Core Message: Understanding and leveraging the working genius of each team member can unlock team potential, resolve persistent issues, and drive meaningful, fulfilling productivity.

"When you invest into your growth every single day, it will yield great returns in your life and your business."
— Theresa Flood (14:30)

#TheUPside #GetUnstuck #WorkingGenius #Productivity #TeamBuilding