Importance: 50%
The Big Idea
The basic idea is that there are parts of work or getting a project done that we enjoy and find fulfillment in and there are other parts that make us feel frustrated and drained.
Working genius breaks the lifecycle of work down into six main categories and identifies two areas as a person’s “geniuses” that give them personal fulfillment. Two as “competencies” that are a medium space something you can get done and don’t hate but doesn’t really give you a sense of excitement. The last two are “frustrations” or parts of work that you end up avoiding or when you are forced to leave you feeling drained and well frustrated.
The line up of which of the six categories falls within each zone is different for different people. For example some people really like finishing things while other people feel like they just want to do something new rather than stick it out and finish it. Understanding where people fall then is a way to be able to understand a team or individual and how they might need support, training or encouragement to make sure the things that need to happen do.
Resources around working genius: workinggenius.com
Wonder
A person who asks good questions and identifies the need for improvement or change.
Principle Discussions. Use thesis, principles or guiding questions to help spark discussion and brainstorming in a helpful direction. Â
Ask Questions Like
“What are we missing?”
Crave Validation Through
Consideration for their questions to be heard.
Invention
A person who confirms the importance of a need, and generates an idea or solution to address a problem.
Brainstorming Discussions. Continue a principle discussion to work toward generating solutions and ideas to move things forward.Â
Ask Questions Like
“We have a new opportunity in front of us. How can we take advantage of it?”
Crave Validation Through
Freedom to create without constraints or restrictions.
Discernment
A person who assesses the merit and workability of the idea or solution.
Concept Proposal. Take brainstormed ideas and start to put them into concept plans. Add picture ideas, basic pricing estimates, and other rationale. Basically make it so that you can present a concept to a group and gather further input and approval or rejection before proceeding to further planning. This is when it is easier to throw out or pause an idea if there is lots of resistance.Â
Ask Questions Like
“Can you help us refine this idea and make it better?”
Crave Validation Through
Trust for their judgment and instincts.
Galvanizing
A person who generates enthusiasm and action around the idea or solution.
Final Proposal. Beef up a concept proposal to include all the needed info to start implementing the project. Specifics about cost and buying materials, plan for volunteers and any other people needed, etc.Â
Ask Questions Like
“We need to get this moving. Can you help us rally everyone around it?”
Crave Validation Through
Reaction to what they are communicating.
Enablement
A person who initiates support and assists in the implementation of the idea or solution.
Launch Project. Actually start launching the project and helping people to move forward in their roles.
Ask Questions Like
“This project needs support and momentum, can you help us get started?”
Crave Validation Through
Appreciation for the value they bring.
Tenacity
A person who commits to ensuring that the idea or solution gets completed and that desired results are achieved.
Stick to Completion. Stick with the project until it makes it all the way through.
Ask Questions Like
“Can you help us move this initiative to completion?”
Crave Validation Through
Clarity about deadlines and parameters.