Patrick Lencioni, The Six Types of Working Genius: A Better Way to Understand Your Gifts, Your Frustrations, and Your Team (affiliate link) (Dallas: Matt Holt Books, 2022) 228 pages.
Patrick Lencioni is a masterful storyteller and leadership teacher. I own half a dozen of his books, and they are all great. Lencioni’s unique approach is to tell a leadership fable that demonstrates the leadership principles he wants to explain. Then, at the end of the story, he unpacks the lessons and summarizes the teaching. He typically includes a list of five or six takeaways.
In this book, Lencioni unpacks the novel idea that people are gifted in unique ways, but they often find themselves doing jobs in which they have little or no time to focus on their strengths or passions, spending their time instead on activities that deflate and frustrate them.
Lencioni begins by stating that there are two undeniable truths. First, “People who utilize their natural, God-given talents are much more fulfilled and successful than those who don’t” (1). Second, “Teams and organizations that help people tap into their God-given talents are much more successful and productive than those that don’t” (1). He adds, “Most people aren’t terribly fulfilled in their work” (1).
Lencioni suggest there are three stages of work: 1) ideation, 2) activation, 3) implementation (65-73). He posits that there are six types of “geniuses.” The first is “wonder.” The people who possess this genius operate at 30,000 feet, wondering about problems and possibilities. They are visionaries. The second genius is “invention.” These people come up with ideas and solutions to problems. They are inventors. The third group has the genius of “discernment.” They can evaluate ideas to see their merit and value. The fourth genius is that of “galvanizing.” They mobilize people to tackle the problem and accomplish the task. The fifth is “enabling.” These individuals support the process and make it happen. Finally, the sixth genius is “tenacity.” Workers with this genius see the project through to completion.
Lencioni suggests that teams and organizations need all six geniuses to accomplish tasks. He also posits that people typically possess two of the six geniuses. They may also be competent at two others, though they will grow weary if forced to use them often. Most people have two geniuses that frustrate them if they have to use them frequently.
The problem arises when people use their geniuses to experience success and are then promoted to a job that no longer plays to their strengths. They may be competent, but they will become exhausted over time. When we work within our genius, we stay refreshed and passionate.
Lencioni suggests that this model can explain much of the dynamic that takes place in the workplace. At times, people are energized by their work. Other times, they hate it. Lencioni suggests that rather than simply assigning job descriptions around tasks, jobs should be designed, as much as possible, around geniuses. He acknowledges that people must sometimes do tasks they don’t enjoy. But a wise workplace employs people in the area of their strengths as often as possible.
Lencioni developed an online survey people can take to discover their genius. He is still tabulating the results and reporting on the findings.
This book certainly addresses some important issues. Wise managers attempt to invest their personnel in a way that maximizes their strengths. Lencioni does a great job of breaking down how to divide work among an organization’s staff.
Of course, this is an approach used by one author who is now developing his program through ongoing surveys. It is not necessarily based on psychological studies but on the author’s own observations. I might adjust a few groups somewhat, but I think these six categories, or geniuses, do a decent job of identifying the various aspects of work necessary for completing tasks. Wise managers might utilize this approach to accomplish their organization’s goals.
Lencioni’s books are easy reads. He incorporates humor, which keeps the fable entertaining. He does lace some profanity into the story, though of a light variety. He also hosts a podcast devoted to this book, so you can learn of his latest findings on the subject there. I encourage you to read this book and reflect on whether you are focusing on areas of your own genius and whether you are helping those you lead to do the same.
Lencioni is a devout Catholic who seems to be a strong believer. He suggests that this approach is also effective for nonprofits and churches. If you have never read a Lencioni book before, this one may be a good starting place.
Rating: 3
