The 6 Types of Working Genius: A Book Review
As a parent, it’s easy to focus on the weaknesses—the 65% on your child’s report card—urging them to “just do better.” But often, that grade reflects an area where they lack natural talent or interest. Even with maximum effort, they may never excel there. Meanwhile, they’re shining in another subject, pulling off an effortless 85% or more. What if we focused on that strength? Encouraged them to dive deeper, work harder, and aim for mastery in what they love and are naturally good at? That’s where their future lies—and it’s the same for teams at work.
When I first read The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni, it hit me how similar the lessons were to parenting. It shifted how I view team dynamics and leadership. The key isn’t to force people into tasks that frustrate them but to identify their strengths, tweak roles and responsibilities where possible, and truly appreciate what each person brings to the table. It’s not just about getting work done—it’s about creating a team dynamic that’s fulfilling for everyone.
How This Changed How We Work
At our bookkeeping firm, we’re naturally wired with Tenacity—we thrive on getting projects finished, balancing the books, and ensuring every financial detail is perfectly tied up. But when it comes to Galvanizing—rallying enthusiasm and energizing people for new initiatives—we’re not exactly in our comfort zone. And that’s okay.
Before understanding the six types of working genius (Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity), I sometimes found myself frustrated when team members didn’t excel in areas outside their natural talents. I’d unknowingly expect them to “get that 65% up” instead of focusing on their 85%. Once I understood this framework, we shifted our focus.
We started by identifying each team member’s strengths and areas of frustration. Then we adjusted roles where possible to align responsibilities with their gifts. For example, those gifted in Tenacity take the lead on finishing projects, while those strong in Discernment help us evaluate the best strategies. When we need help with Galvanizing, we lean on others who naturally bring energy and excitement to a room.
This shift didn’t just make us more productive—it made work more enjoyable. When people get to spend more time in their “genius zone,” they feel valued and appreciated. And when the whole team works together, leveraging each other’s strengths, the overall dynamic improves—and so does the fun.
What This Means for Churches and Businesses
If you’re running a church or business, you’ve likely seen this in action. Maybe you have a staff member who’s fantastic at generating ideas (Wonder) but struggles with the follow-through (Tenacity). Or a volunteer who’s excels at rallying a group (Galvanizing) but feels bogged down by the details. The solution isn’t to push them harder in their weak areas—it’s to make the most of their strengths.
When you tweak roles to match people’s gifts, something magical happens. Work becomes more efficient, the team dynamic improves, and people genuinely enjoy their jobs more. It’s not about expecting everyone to do everything—it’s about building a team where everyone contributes their unique talents, and the whole team is stronger for it.
The Takeaway
Whether you’re managing a ministry, leading a business, or building a team of volunteers, The 6 Types of Working Genius is a game changer. It’s a simple, practical tool that helps you understand the gifts, frustrations, and potential of your team.
At our firm, this framework taught us to lean into what we’re great at and to appreciate others for what they uniquely bring to the table. Sure, we’re still a group of bookkeepers who thrive on spreadsheets, not pep rallies—but we’ve learned to celebrate that and to bring in help when we need a bit more “rah-rah.”
Because when people feel valued for their gifts, the team works better, and yes—work actually gets more fun. And isn’t that what we all want?