The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

Why do people often react defensively when receiving criticism?
In episode 108 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson examine the crucial difference between criticism and constructive feedback. They explain how understanding someone’s Working Genius helps leaders frame feedback to acknowledge strengths while encouraging adjustments when necessary. By leading with appreciation and clarity, feedback becomes a gift that helps people grow rather than a criticism that discourages them.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00:00) Why Feedback Often Feels Like Criticism
Patrick explains why feedback should be filtered through someone’s Working Genius profile.

He argues that without understanding how someone is wired, feedback can unintentionally come across as criticism of their identity.

(00:03:09) The Fundamental Attribution Error
Patrick and Cody explore how people often assume others’ behavior is caused by character flaws rather than natural tendencies.

They explain how recognizing someone’s wiring can lead to more grace and better communication.

(00:07:05) Feedback Through the Lens of Strengths
Cody shares examples of how strengths like invention can be misunderstood as ego or disruption.

Patrick explains how acknowledging strengths before giving feedback allows people to receive the message more openly.

(00:09:06) Real Life Examples of Constructive Feedback
Patrick and Cody discuss examples from client work and personal relationships where feedback was delivered through the Working Genius framework.

They highlight how framing feedback as a gift helps people grow without discouraging their strengths.

(00:13:54) Regulating Strengths Instead of Suppressing Them
Patrick explains that strengths must sometimes be regulated depending on the situation or role.

The episode closes with encouragement to use Working Genius knowledge to give feedback that builds confidence rather than shame.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://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. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way 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://apple.co/4iNz6Yn
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4iGGm8u
YouTube: https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How does the distance between your strengths affect your stress at work?
In episode 107 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson take a deeper look at what happens when your working geniuses are far apart. While every genius pairing brings value, certain combinations create unique stress that can leave people feeling misunderstood or frustrated.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:00:50) Understanding Genius Distance
The idea of having working geniuses that sit far apart in the workflow is explained.
These gaps are shown to create frustration, stress, and misunderstanding for individuals and teams.

(00:03:53) The Stress of Invention to Tenacity
The challenges of jumping directly from ideas to execution are explored.
The importance of patience and collaboration between missing steps in the workflow is highlighted.

(00:08:06) The Tension of Wonder and Enablement
Responsive geniuses are examined, especially the pressure to help before asking necessary questions.
Misunderstanding these patterns can lead to overwhelm, doubt, and internal conflict.

(00:12:35) Practical Ways to Bridge the Gap
Strategies are shared for separating tasks and working within each genius more intentionally.
Communication, patience, and self awareness are emphasized as tools for reducing friction and improving teamwork.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://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. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about

Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co

What would change if you stopped trying to fix what isn’t broken?
In episode 106 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson unpack how shame often forms around working frustrations that were never meant to define a person’s value or capability. They explain how misunderstanding your wiring can lead to burnout, striving, and the belief that something is wrong with you. By reframing frustrations as part of how you were designed, the episode offers relief, freedom, and dignity at work and in life.

Topics explored in this episode:

(02:01) Relief from Lifelong Guilt and Burnout
* How some leaders carry decades of shame around their working frustrations.
* Discovering your working frustrations brings freedom.

(03:41) Striving Against the Grain
* Shame often leads people to work harder at the wrong things for years.
* Understanding wiring helps people stop swimming upstream in work and relationships.

(05:47) Strengths and Weaknesses Are Linked
* Viewing frustrations in isolation leads to shame, while context brings clarity.

(09:29) Releasing Guilt and Embracing Design
* Embracing your working frustrations without self-criticism.
* Freedom comes from knowing you were never meant to be good at everything.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://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. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about

Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How can pairing geniuses enhance the customer service experience?
In episode 105 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody dive deep into the world of customer service roles and enablement. They explore how unique combinations of working geniuses, such as enablement paired with discernment or tenacity, can enhance customer interactions and improve service outcomes. By aligning strengths with job demands, being authentic about one's abilities, and providing tailored solutions to customers, individuals can excel in customer service roles and find satisfaction in their careers.

Topics explored in this episode:

00:00:47 – Types of Customer Service
* Great customer service depends on the right mix of working geniuses
* Enablement shines when helping others feels energizing, not draining

00:04:46 – Discernment and Enablement
* Discernment helps decode what customers actually mean
* Enablement turns confusion into clear, helpful solutions

00:06:35 – Tenacity and Enablement
* Tenacity makes sure no email or question gets left behind
* Enablement brings the drive to serve fast, fully, and well

00:11:09 – Types of Employee Geniuses
* Different genius types shape how people show up at work
* Customer service thrives when roles match natural strengths

00:24:22 – Choosing the Right Job
* The wrong role leads to burnout, even if you’re good at it
* The right fit makes work sustainable and satisfying

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://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. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about

Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

How can you use the Working Genius framework to reframe your traditional New Year’s resolutions so that they don’t lead to frustration or shame?
In episode 104 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson introduce the idea of a “New Year’s evolution” instead of a New Year’s resolution. They explain why resolutions built on shame and weakness tend to fail and how understanding your Working Genius creates a healthier, more effective path to growth. By spending more time in your areas of strength, you can create a more energizing and sustainable year.

Topics explored in this episode:

(00:10) Why Resolutions Often Fail
* Traditional resolutions tend to focus on weaknesses and create shame.
* Starting the year by judging yourself usually leads to frustration and burnout.

(03:04) The Cost of Ignoring Your Wiring
* Trying to improve in areas that conflict with your natural wiring can be miserable.

(05:58) Know Yourself First
* The first step of a New Year’s evolution is understanding how you’re wired.

(06:32) Spend More Time in Your Genius
* Increasing time spent in your Working Genius leads to energy and thriving.

(10:00) Applying Working Genius at Work and Home
* Auditing how you spend your time reveals opportunities for meaningful change.
* Using your Working Genius outside of work can strengthen your family life.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://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. The Six Types of Working Genius assessment is the fastest and simplest way to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about

Subscribe to The Working Genius Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4iNz6Yn), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3raC053GF5mtkq6Y1klpRU), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/Working-Genius-YouTube).

Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni.

Be sure to check out our other podcast, At The Table with Patrick Lencioni, on Apple Podcasts (https://apple.co/4hJKKSL), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6NWAZzkzl4ljxX7S2xkHvu), and YouTube (https://bit.ly/At-The-Table-YouTube).

Let us know your feedback via [email protected].

This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.