The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni
Patrick Lencioni
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
46 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 29min
Your Company’s Genius featuring Matthew Lencioni
They test whether companies can have a dominant Working Genius pairing and compare how culture and customer experience reveal those strengths. They contrast fast-food brands to show differing operational geniuses and analyze coffee chains through curation and consistency. They debate media formats like Shark Tank, examine founder-driven company traits, and offer practical tips for activating diverse team strengths.
45 snips
Mar 10, 2026 • 19min
Feedback vs. Criticism
They unpack why feedback so often lands as criticism and how wiring shapes reactions. They explore the fundamental attribution error and why behavior is not character. They show how leading with appreciation and framing requests around strengths helps people accept change. They share real-life examples of giving feedback as a gift and tips for regulating strengths without shaming.
53 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 20min
107. Distance Between Geniuses
They explore what happens when your natural work strengths are far apart and why that creates stress and misunderstanding. They dissect tricky pairings like moving straight from ideas to execution and the pressure of wanting to help before questions are asked. They offer practical strategies for bridging gaps with better communication, patience, and deliberate task separation.
25 snips
Feb 10, 2026 • 17min
106. No Shame in That
A discussion about how work frustrations can become lifelong shame when they are mistaken for personal failings. Stories and metaphors reframe wiring as design rather than defect. Practical prompts help identify burnout caused by doing the wrong work. The conversation encourages accepting your natural wiring to find relief, dignity, and renewed energy at work and in life.
39 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 25min
105. Enablement and Customer Service
A lively dive into how pairing different working geniuses transforms customer service. They explore combinations like discernment plus enablement and tenacity plus enablement. Profiles of inventor-enablers, encouragers, and wonder-enable thinkers show varied approaches. A clear warning about faking fit and how the right role prevents burnout and boosts satisfaction.
37 snips
Jan 13, 2026 • 19min
104. New Year's Evolution
Forget the shame of traditional resolutions! Discover a more positive approach with a focus on your strengths instead. The hosts reveal why understanding your natural wiring is crucial for sustainable growth. They discuss how spending more time in your areas of genius can lead to energy and fulfillment in both work and home life. Personal anecdotes illustrate the power of this new mindset. Make this year about evolution, not just resolutions!
39 snips
Dec 30, 2025 • 19min
103. Working Genius vs. the Ideal Team Player
Discover the crucial distinction between Working Genius and Ideal Team Player virtues. Delve into why humility, hunger, and emotional intelligence should guide team building before considering individual strengths. Learn why common assumptions linking certain genius types to specific virtues can be misleading. Real-life examples illustrate discrepancies in these correlations. Finally, uncover the recommended hiring order to better address team dynamics and avoid costly misinterpretations.
40 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 24min
102. Working Genius and Emotional Intelligence
Explore the intriguing relationship between Working Genius and emotional intelligence. Discover how self-awareness plays a pivotal role in developing EQ. Learn why curiosity and a genuine desire to understand others are key. Hear strategies for offering constructive feedback that can elevate someone’s emotional intelligence. Unpack the importance of vulnerability and humility in building connections. This insightful discussion reveals that it's not about your genius type but your awareness that shapes your effectiveness in relationships.
34 snips
Dec 2, 2025 • 20min
101. Silver Linings After Layoffs
Layoffs can spark unexpected paths toward energizing work. The hosts dive into how many find themselves misaligned in careers due to convenience rather than passion. Using the Working Genius framework, they highlight transferable strengths and the importance of cultural fit. A fascinating story unfolds about a lawyer who transitioned to tech leadership by embracing his unique talents. Listeners receive practical advice on navigating career shifts, emphasizing the value of joy in the workplace and the courage to pursue better fits.
49 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 18min
100. Square Peg Round Hole
Misunderstanding someone's Working Genius can lead to significant team friction. The hosts discuss how visible behaviors, like public speaking, can be misread, masking true motivations. Commonly mistyped geniuses, such as Wonder and Enablement, are explored, revealing how biases and environments influence perceptions. They caution against falsely claiming a genius you don’t possess, as it fosters unrealistic expectations and disrupts team dynamics. Understanding these nuances promotes better collaboration and enhances workplace enjoyment.
