TheUPside Podcast – Episode Summary
Episode Title: What’s Your Genius? Let’s Unlock It!
Host: Theresa Flood
Date: March 11, 2025
Overview
In this episode of TheUPside Podcast, host Theresa Flood introduces the powerful "Working Genius" model created by Patrick Lencioni. Flood aims to help listeners identify their areas of natural productivity and fulfillment—referred to as their "genius"—and understand how spending more time in these zones can transform both work and personal life. As a certified Working Genius facilitator, Flood explains the model’s six phases, shares actionable steps for applying the tool, and encourages listeners to reflect on where their energy peaks and plummets throughout the day.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
What is the Working Genius? (01:05 – 04:12)
- The Working Genius is a productivity model, not a personality assessment—meant to complement tools like DISC or Myers-Briggs.
- Purpose: "To create more fulfillment in your work and less frustration." (02:04)
- Each person has:
- 2 working geniuses (natural strengths)
- 2 working frustrations (energy drainers)
- 2 working competencies (areas you’re capable in, but not energized by)
The Six Phases of Working Genius (04:12 – 09:42)
Theresa Flood breaks down the six sequential phases:
- Wonder:
- Gift for pondering possibilities and asking "why" or "what if?"
- Often misunderstood but essential to innovation and improvement.
- Memorable quote:
“If you have it, you may not realize that those questions you're asking are actually a much needed part of the flow of work and the process.” (09:44)
- Invention:
- Gift for creating original ideas and solutions.
- Enjoy brainstorming and rapid ideation.
- Discernment:
- Intuitive evaluators who instinctively judge which ideas will work.
- Excel at making tweaks and improvements.
- Galvanizing:
- Motivators who rally, inspire, and energize teams to take action.
- Flood identifies herself as a galvanizer:
“I love to get people excited and on the bus. That's partly what I do in this podcast, right?” (08:24)
- Enablement:
- Naturally step in to help and support others in moving ideas forward.
- Example: Rick Davis, the podcast producer.
- Tenacity:
- Finishers who are committed to completing tasks and achieving results.
- Ensure nothing is left unfinished.
The Coffee Cup Analogy (10:12 – 11:38)
- Geniuses: Like an insulated tumbler—energy stays hot and fulfilling for long periods.
- Competencies: Like a regular mug—energy stays briefly, but not sustained.
- Frustrations: Like a styrofoam cup with a hole—energy quickly drains.
- Quote:
“Your frustrations are like a coffee cup, a styrofoam cup with a hole on the bottom... just draining. No energy, frustrating.” (11:23)
- Quote:
Self-Reflection Questions (13:01 – 14:50)
Theresa encourages listeners to ask themselves:
- When do you feel most energized at work?
- What tasks leave you feeling frustrated or tired?
- Which tasks make you lose track of time (flow state)?
- Which tasks make you constantly check the clock due to frustration?
Personal Example: How Genius Profiles Differ (14:51 – 17:34)
- Flood shares a story about team meetings to illustrate genius/frustration:
- Her strengths: Discernment and Galvanizing (middle phases)
- In "wonder and invention" meetings, she feels drained and leaves with headaches.
- Her husband, Tommy, is energized by those same meetings (his geniuses).
Immediate Action Steps (17:50 – 19:15)
- Take the Assessment:
- Visit workinggenius.com (18:08)
- Tune In Next Week:
- Next episode will focus on applying Working Genius in teams and organizations (18:27)
- Team Workshops:
- Flood offers certified facilitation for teams at teresaflood.com
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Yes, yes, you do have a genius.” (01:16)
- “The whole goal of this is to create more fulfillment in your work and less frustration.” (02:04)
- “Your geniuses are like having your coffee in a yeti or a steam Stanley or something that's actually going to hold that heat in there.” (11:09)
- “When we can spend the majority of our time doing the things that keep our energy or keep our coffee hot the longest, we're going to be more fulfilled and less frustrated.” (11:35)
- Personal reflection about headache after "wonder/invention" meetings versus her husband's excitement highlights how these differences show up at work. (15:07–16:45)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 01:05 – Introduction to Working Genius and its distinction from personality tools
- 04:12 – The six phases unveiled and described
- 08:24 – Galvanizer role and Flood’s personal connection
- 10:12 – Coffee cup analogy for energies and frustrations
- 13:01 – Self-reflection questions for identifying your genius
- 14:51 – Real-life story contrasting genius types
- 17:50 – Three clear action steps to apply the episode’s message
Final Thoughts
Theresa Flood closes by encouraging daily investment in personal growth and inviting listeners to discover and utilize their Working Genius for greater satisfaction and success.
“We believe that when you invest into your personal growth every day, it will yield great, great returns for you.” (19:00)
For more resources or information on team facilitation and workshops, visit: teresaflood.com
To take the Working Genius assessment: workinggenius.com