The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

Hosted by Patrick Lencioni

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129

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Nov 2026

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What is your Working Genius? The Working Genius podcast is designed to help people identify their natural gifts and find joy and fulfillment in their work and life. Leadership and teamwork expert Patrick Lencioni and his team explore the Working Genius model and provide practical advice for applying this framework individually, at our jobs and in our homes. What type of work makes you thrive? Are you burning out because your job requires you to work in your areas of frustration? How can teams and families better tap into one another’s gifts? This podcast answers all these questions and more.

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November 3, 202622 min

125. Liberation vs. Restriction

What if the greatest freedom in your career came from admitting what you're not good at? In episode 125 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore why Working Genius liberates people from the pressure to excel at everything, helping them embrace their natural gifts without feeling restricted by their frustrations. Through personal stories about parenting, hiring, and career-changing realizations, they explain how understanding the way you're wired can transform the way you work and relate to others. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Why Working Genius Feels Liberating Pat explains why some personality assessments make people feel restricted, while Working Genius helps them embrace who they are. Cody explores how knowing yourself and being understood by others creates freedom from comparison and unrealistic expectations. (04:25) Celebrating Differences Instead of Fixing Weaknesses Cody shares how Working Genius helps his children recognize their unique gifts without comparing themselves to each other. Pat explains why parents and leaders should encourage people's natural strengths rather than expecting everyone to excel at everything. (09:00) The Freedom to Stop Pretending Cody reflects on how Pat spent years being rewarded for work that ultimately drained his energy. Pat shares why he hired four people when starting his company, recognizing that he needed others whose strengths complemented his weaknesses. (13:11) When Assessments Become Restrictions Pat and Cody discuss how personality assessments can be misused to label people or justify differences that divide teams. They explain why Working Genius can improve hiring decisions by identifying work that energizes people rather than assuming their capabilities are limited. (17:35) Finding Freedom in the Right Role Cody shares how traditional hiring criteria may have prevented him from getting a job that aligned with his natural geniuses. Pat tells the story of an employee whose Working Genius results turned a potentially disastrous performance review into a promotion and a better-fitting role. This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com . We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial X: https://x.com/patricklencioni The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni Apple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni , on Apple Podcasts ( https://tablegroup.me/apple ), Spotify ( https://tablegroup.me/sptfy ), and YouTube ( https://tablegroup.me/youtube ). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com . This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co .

October 20, 202623 min

124. Stop Volunteering

Are you volunteering because you genuinely want to help, or because you feel guilty saying no? Volunteering is supposed to be an act of generosity, but what happens when saying yes leaves you exhausted, frustrated, and unable to contribute your best? In episode 124 of the Working Genius, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson explain why volunteering out of guilt or obligation can do more harm than good and how understanding your Working Genius can help you serve others more effectively. From churches and schools to workplaces and retirement, they challenge you to rethink generosity, embrace your natural talents, and find opportunities that energize you while making a meaningful difference. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Why You Should Stop Volunteering Pat explains why volunteering should be guided by your natural gifts rather than guilt, obligation, or the desire for approval. The hosts distinguish genuine volunteering from everyday responsibilities and introduce the idea of serving others through your Working Genius. (04:19) Finding the Right Volunteer Opportunities Cody and Pat share personal examples of volunteer activities that energize them versus responsibilities that leave them frustrated. They discuss why saying no to the wrong opportunities can be a gift to others and how people with the Genius of Enablement may approach volunteering differently. (09:11) How Working Genius Prevents Volunteer Burnout Pat suggests that churches and schools use Working Genius to identify people's strengths and match them with meaningful volunteer opportunities. Cody explains how better volunteer placement can reduce burnout, improve retention, and help people feel genuinely known and appreciated. (13:45) Stop Sacrificing Your Talents The hosts challenge traditional assumptions about volunteering and explore why organizations should leverage people's natural abilities rather than simply fill positions. Cody and Pat share examples of how offering their expertise in the right setting allows them to make a greater contribution. (18:42) Rethinking Retirement and Generosity Pat challenges the idea that retirement means abandoning meaningful work and encourages people to continue using the talents they love. The hosts conclude by encouraging listeners and organizations to be proactive about generosity, identify their Working Geniuses, and create opportunities that benefit everyone. This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com . We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial X: https://x.com/patricklencioni The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni Apple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni , on Apple Podcasts ( https://tablegroup.me/apple ), Spotify ( https://tablegroup.me/sptfy ), and YouTube ( https://tablegroup.me/youtube ). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com . This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co .

October 6, 202617 min

123. The Subtleties of Activation

Could you be judging someone’s Working Genius based on the wrong expectations? In episode 123 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore whether someone can truly be bad at an area of Working Genius and why a genuine genius can sometimes appear ineffective to others. They unpack the influence of genius pairings, assessment bias, timing, context, environment, and the specific problem someone is trying to solve. The conversation also reveals the surprising danger of becoming exceptionally good at work that drains you, especially when that competence causes others to keep asking you to do more of it. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Can You Actually Be Bad at Your Genius? Pat introduces the question of whether someone can genuinely have a Working Genius while appearing to be ineffective in that area. Pat and Cody consider inaccurate assessment results, lack of practice, and the distinction between natural genius and learned capability. (04:26) Your Pairing Changes Everything Cody explains how a person’s second genius can dramatically change what the first genius looks like in practice. Pat and Cody contrast different forms of Invention and explain why comparing someone to a narrow definition of a genius can lead to false conclusions. (08:28) The Danger of Mastering Your Frustrations Pat and Cody discuss why becoming highly skilled at work that drains you can create a trap where others continually expect that work from you. Pat describes how years of succeeding through his Working Frustrations ultimately contributed to a strong aversion to finishing and execution-oriented tasks. (12:00) Right Genius, Wrong Time Cody explains how a genius used out of sequence or directed toward the wrong problem can appear destructive, annoying, or ineffective. Pat and Cody explore how timing, restraint, context, and the quality of the underlying opportunity all influence whether a genius produces a useful result. (16:09) How Environment Shapes Your Genius Pat and Cody caution against labeling someone as bad at their genius without first considering pairing, context, timing, and the environment in which that genius developed. They close by examining how family, culture, comparison, and past experience can shape a person’s understanding of what strong performance in a genius actually looks like. This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com . We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial X: https://x.com/patricklencioni The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni Apple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni , on Apple Podcasts ( https://tablegroup.me/apple ), Spotify ( https://tablegroup.me/sptfy ), and YouTube ( https://tablegroup.me/youtube ). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com . This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co .

September 22, 202620 min

122. Can You be "Bad" in Your Genius?

Can you truly be bad at something that is one of your Working Geniuses? In episode 122 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore whether someone can genuinely be “bad” at one of their Working Geniuses and reveal why the answer is more complicated than it first appears. They examine how assessment accuracy, genius pairings, timing, context, environment, and expectations can cause a genuine strength to be misunderstood or poorly applied. They also warn that becoming exceptionally good at work that drains you can create its own trap, leading others to expect more of the very work you should not be doing constantly. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Can You Be Bad at Your Genius? Pat introduces the surprising possibility that becoming skilled at work outside your genius can create long-term problems. Pat and Cody begin unpacking whether someone can genuinely have a Working Genius while appearing to be bad at it. (04:26) Why Genius Pairings Change Everything Cody explains how the second letter in a Working Genius pairing can dramatically change how a particular genius appears in practice. Pat and Cody contrast different forms of Invention, showing why one inventor may generate wild conceptual ideas while another focuses on practical systems and implementation. (08:28) The Danger of Getting Good at Your Frustrations Pat and Cody discuss why becoming highly competent at work that drains you can cause other people to continually expect that work from you. Pat shares how years of succeeding in his frustrations created such a strong aversion that even relatively simple Tenacity-related tasks can now feel difficult. (12:00) Using Your Genius at the Wrong Time Cody explains that a genius can look ineffective or even destructive when it is used out of sequence, aimed at the wrong problem, or applied when it is not needed. Pat emphasizes the difference between possessing genuine ability and knowing how to regulate that ability according to timing and context. (16:09) How Environment Shapes Your Genius Pat and Cody explore how the quality of the surrounding product, organization, or situation can affect whether someone appears successful in their genius. They close by discussing how family, culture, education, comparison, and environment can shape a person's understanding of how strong they actually are in a particular genius. This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com . We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial X: https://x.com/patricklencioni The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni Apple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni , on Apple Podcasts ( https://tablegroup.me/apple ), Spotify ( https://tablegroup.me/sptfy ), and YouTube ( https://tablegroup.me/youtube ). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com . This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co .

September 8, 202623 min

121. Crush Your Career Box

What if your job title is keeping you from seeing better career opportunities? In episode 121 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson challenge the traditional idea that a career should be defined by a title, industry, degree, or resume. They explain how Working Genius can help people identify the work that gives them energy and discover opportunities in places they might never have considered. They also explore how employers can use Working Genius to hire for natural strengths and passion rather than relying primarily on technical experience. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Stop Defining Yourself by Your Field Pat and Cody explain why defining a career by a company, industry, degree, or job title can unnecessarily limit the opportunities people consider. Working Genius offers another way to think about a career by focusing on the work that naturally brings someone energy, joy, and fulfillment. (04:34) Look Beyond the Name on Your Business Card Cody explains how two people with the same profession can contribute in very different ways depending on their Working Geniuses. Pat and Cody explore how transferable strengths can create opportunities across professions and industries instead of trapping people in one established career path. (09:38) Go Where Your Strengths Are Most Valued Cody shares the story of a vintage watch whose perceived value changes depending on where it is taken, illustrating why the same abilities can be valued very differently across organizations. Pat encourages people to look for workplaces that genuinely need and appreciate their strengths rather than simply pursuing jobs that resemble their previous experience. (14:43) Take a Risk on the Work That Energizes You Pat shares how he escaped an unfulfilling internal audit role by proposing a creative employee morale initiative despite having no formal experience doing that kind of work. Pat and Cody argue that natural strengths, passion, and a willingness to take risks can sometimes matter more than degrees, credentials, or years of technical experience. (19:19) Hire for Genius, Not Just Experience Pat and Cody explain how organizations can find overlooked talent by identifying the Working Geniuses a role actually requires instead of relying primarily on industry experience. They discuss how Working Genius can be used during hiring to help candidates determine whether they will genuinely enjoy the work and help employers find people whose strengths fit the role. This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com . We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial X: https://x.com/patricklencioni The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni Apple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni , on Apple Podcasts ( https://tablegroup.me/apple ), Spotify ( https://tablegroup.me/sptfy ), and YouTube ( https://tablegroup.me/youtube ). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com . This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co .

August 25, 202611 min

120. What Working Genius Says About Prayer

How might your Working Genius influence the way you naturally pray? In episode 120 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody explore the idea that Working Genius may shape not only how people work, but also how they naturally approach prayer. They discuss how different forms of prayer, including spontaneous prayer, journaling, contemplation, structured prayers, silence, and group prayer, may appeal to different kinds of wiring. Ultimately, they encourage listeners to understand their natural preferences without becoming limited by them, because some of the most meaningful spiritual growth may come from praying outside their genius. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) How Your Wiring Shapes Prayer Pat introduces the idea that people may have natural prayer preferences connected to their Working Genius, just as they have preferences in the way they approach work. He explains that understanding those tendencies can reduce guilt or self-judgment when someone does not naturally enjoy praying the same way another person does. (02:19) Finding Your Natural Prayer Style Cody connects his Discernment and Galvanizing combination to spontaneous, in-the-moment prayer and considers how disruptive versus responsive tendencies might also affect prayer. Pat gives examples of how different Working Genius combinations might lend themselves to group prayer, contemplative prayer, journaling, or more structured practices. (04:46) Why You Should Pray Outside Your Genius Pat explains that people should not limit themselves to doing only the work, or prayer, that comes naturally to them. He describes how structured prayer such as the rosary can become especially meaningful when he intentionally embraces it despite it not being his natural preference. (07:12) Stretching Beyond What Feels Comfortable Cody reflects on his difficulty maintaining practices such as journaling and silence and considers how those challenges may relate to his natural Working Genius wiring. Pat explains that accepting a natural preference can actually make it easier to engage other forms of prayer without resentment, guilt, or the feeling that prayer has become work. (09:37) Prayer, Sacrifice, and Spiritual Growth Cody compares praying outside one's natural wiring to fasting, suggesting that choosing something other than the path of least resistance can shape who a person becomes. Pat distinguishes joyful sacrifice from reluctant obligation and closes by encouraging listeners to spend a few minutes praying either in their natural way or in a way that stretches them. This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com . We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial X: https://x.com/patricklencioni The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni Apple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni , on Apple Podcasts ( https://tablegroup.me/apple ), Spotify ( https://tablegroup.me/sptfy ), and YouTube ( https://tablegroup.me/youtube ). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com . This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co .

August 11, 202619 min

119. The Genius of Parenting

How can you identify what naturally gives your child energy and joy? In episode 119 Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore how the Working Genius model can help you better understand, affirm, and guide your children. They explain why trying to make children more well-rounded can unintentionally suppress the qualities that make them unique. You will learn how curiosity, affirmation, and awareness of your own wiring can help your children feel seen and become more confident in who they are. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Parenting as a Leadership Role Patrick explains why understanding a child’s Working Genius can help parents affirm natural instincts instead of treating them like problems. Patrick and Cody frame the family as an important organization that deserves the same intentional leadership and development often reserved for the workplace. (04:06) Discovering How Your Child Is Wired Parents can begin identifying a child’s genius by observing what gives them energy, what frustrates them, and what they naturally choose to do. Cody encourages parents to lead with curiosity rather than assuming their role is to straighten out or reshape a child’s natural tendencies. (07:28) Affirming Features Instead of Fixing Flaws Patrick and Cody give examples of how parents can affirm children with Wonder, Galvanizing, Discernment, and Invention. They explain how seemingly harmless corrections can communicate that a child’s deepest instincts are defects that need to be suppressed. (11:46) Letting Children Use Their Gifts The hosts examine how Enablement and Tenacity can be misunderstood when parents prioritize independence, relaxation, or conventional ideas of balance. Affirming a child’s genius creates the trust needed to guide them when they overuse a strength without making them feel ashamed of it. (15:22) How a Parent’s Genius Shapes the Home Parents can reduce guilt and judgment by recognizing how their own geniuses and frustrations influence the way they lead and respond to their children. Sharing strengths and limitations with children teaches them that nobody is good at everything and frees them to pursue careers aligned with their own gifts. This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com . We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial X: https://x.com/patricklencioni The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni Apple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni , on Apple Podcasts ( https://tablegroup.me/apple ), Spotify ( https://tablegroup.me/sptfy ), and YouTube ( https://tablegroup.me/youtube ). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com . This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co .

July 28, 202616 min

118. Recharge With Your People

Who makes you feel completely understood in the way you work? Spending time with people who share your Working Genius types can give you energy, joy, and the relief of feeling fully understood. In episode 118 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explain why these pressure-free interactions act like a “personality spa,” allowing you to enjoy your natural gifts without needing to produce a result. They also offer practical ideas for finding your people and creating restorative experiences at work, at home, and in your friendships. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) The Relief of Being Understood Pat introduces the idea that Working Genius diversity is valuable, but occasionally being around people with the same genius types can be deeply restorative. Cody explains that recharging does not always require unplugging from everything because people can regain energy by plugging into the right relationships and activities. (03:09) Using Your Genius Without Pressure Pat and Cody describe how shared Discernment allows them to evaluate movies, sports, rules, and ideas simply for the enjoyment of thinking together. They explain that a “personality spa” creates permission to play with a genius without being responsible for executing the ideas that emerge. (06:33) Building Your Own Genius Playdate Pat describes the freedom people experience when they spend time with someone who shares both of their geniuses and does not require them to edit themselves. Cody shares his idea for a “minnow tank,” where entrepreneurs could bring half-formed ideas for others to discern and galvanize without the pressure of a formal business pitch. (09:44) Feeling Seen at Work and Home Pat imagines companies creating lunches for employees with matching Working Genius combinations so they can share experiences, feel understood, and positively commiserate. Cody and Pat discuss how shared genius types can create connection in friendships, marriages, and families while still producing potential blind spots. (12:24) A New Way to Recover From Burnout Cody explains that burnout often comes from the type of work a person is doing rather than simply the amount, making genius-aligned conversations a meaningful source of renewal. Pat and Cody encourage people to find a Working Genius doppelganger, schedule a pressure-free “spa date,” and share what they discover from the experience. This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com . We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial X: https://x.com/patricklencioni The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni Apple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni , on Apple Podcasts ( https://tablegroup.me/apple ), Spotify ( https://tablegroup.me/sptfy ), and YouTube ( https://tablegroup.me/youtube ). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com . This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co .

July 14, 202633 min

117. Marriage Q+A with our Wives

What if the thing that frustrates you most about your spouse is actually part of how they are wired? In episode 117 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat Lencioni and Cody Thompson bring their wives, Laura Lencioni and Lindsay Thompson, back into the conversation to answer more questions about applying Working Genius to marriage. Together, they share how the model helps couples avoid judgment, release guilt, clarify roles, and better understand the ways each spouse naturally contributes at home. Through stories about tenacity, galvanizing, parenting, household planning, and family dynamics, they show how Working Genius can bring freedom, compassion, and practical clarity to marriage. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Why Working Genius Belongs In Marriage Pat explains how the fundamental attribution error can cause spouses to misread each other’s behavior as disrespectful or selfish. Cody introduces the follow-up conversation from the marriage webinar with Laura Lencioni and Lindsay Thompson. (06:03) Guilt, Judgment, And Household Expectations Lindsay shares how understanding Cody’s lack of tenacity helped her stop expecting him to contribute in the same way her father did. Laura explains how not having tenacity created guilt and shame until Working Genius gave her a better way to understand herself. (12:03) Opposite Geniuses And Shared Responsibilities The group discusses how couples with different geniuses can become highly complementary when they appreciate each other’s strengths. Cody and Lindsay explain how a family meeting conflict became clearer when they realized it required galvanizing, not just scheduling. (18:14) Disruptive Geniuses, Outsourcing, And Family Dynamics Pat, Laura, Cody, and Lindsay explore what couples should watch for when both spouses have disruptive geniuses. The conversation highlights how couples can outsource missing geniuses or borrow help from friends and family members with different strengths. (24:12) Compassion, Parenting, And Final Encouragement Pat explains that geniuses do not change over time, but people may finally learn to recognize and appreciate them. Laura and Lindsay encourage couples to examine preconceived roles, appreciate each other’s gifts, and let Working Genius bring freedom into daily family life. This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com . We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial X: https://x.com/patricklencioni The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni Apple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni , on Apple Podcasts ( https://tablegroup.me/apple ), Spotify ( https://tablegroup.me/sptfy ), and YouTube ( https://tablegroup.me/youtube ). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com . This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co .

June 30, 202620 min

116. 5 Tips for Managers

How much trust could be built if managers were honest about their own working frustrations? In episode 116 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson share five practical tips for managers who want to use Working Genius with their employees in a meaningful way. They explain why managers should begin by listening, helping employees process their own results, and creating a safe space for conversations about geniuses, frustrations, and job fit. The episode shows how a simple Working Genius conversation can build trust, improve management, and help teams work with more clarity, energy, and effectiveness. Topics explored in this episode: (00:00) Why Working Genius Helps Employees Feel Seen Patrick explains that when managers listen to employees describe their Working Genius results, employees often feel deeply known and understood. Cody introduces the episode’s focus: five practical tips for managers who want to make Working Genius more useful in real conversations. (01:55) Let Employees Digest and Describe Their Results Patrick says managers should first give employees 15 to 20 minutes to read and absorb their Working Genius report before discussing it. The first step is to let employees go first by describing what resonates, what surprised them, and how they understand their own geniuses and frustrations. (06:02) Build Trust Through Frustrations and Job Implications Patrick and Cody explain how talking about working frustrations can create vulnerability without making employees feel defective or criticized. They encourage managers to ask how the employee’s results show up in their actual work, including projects that energized them or drained them. (10:41) Use Working Genius to Create the Right Context Patrick explains that Working Genius does not need to feel like pigeonholing because employees often want to be understood and placed in the right role. Managers can deepen trust by sharing their own Working Genius results and inviting employees to reflect on how those geniuses and frustrations show up in the manager’s leadership. (15:03) Brainstorm Adjustments and Keep the Conversation Going Patrick encourages managers and employees to brainstorm how the employee can lean more into their geniuses and reduce unnecessary frustration. Cody and Patrick emphasize the importance of follow-up conversations so Working Genius becomes an ongoing vocabulary for teamwork rather than a one-time assessment. This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful. Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about Subscribe for more content from Patrick Lencioni @PatrickLencioniOfficial Stay Connected with Patrick Lencioni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricklencioniofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@patricklencioniofficial X: https://x.com/patricklencioni The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni Apple: https://workinggenius.me/apple Spotify: https://workinggenius.me/sptfy YouTube: https://workinggenius.me/wgyt Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://tablegroup.me/apple), Spotify (https://tablegroup.me/sptfy), and YouTube (https://tablegroup.me/youtube). Let us know your feedback via podcast@tablegroup.com. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co .