The Impact of the Working Genius

Having done multiple assessments for personal and professional development, I typically can determine pretty quickly what I am when I look at a new assessment. I did the Working Genius (WG) Assessment and surprisingly, I couldn’t just pick out what was me, instead it was enlightening. I believe it was so because of the way this assessment breaks down the areas in which I thrive and those in which I do not.  

Most people can work in multiple areas. If they can do the job/task, they do it whether they enjoy it or not, especially if they are good at it. Because of this many people are working in roles that they can do but are draining. They find themselves getting tired or weary by the end of the day, and this can eventually lead to burning out, though they are probably unaware of why. 

The WG breaks down talents, or geniuses, into 6 areas: Wonder, Discernment, Enablement, Invention, Galvanizing, and Tenacity. Within these six areas, two are the Working Genius, two are the Working Competencies, and two are the Working Frustrations. Everyone should be working primarily in their Geniuses, partially in their Competencies, and rarely in their Frustrations. 

When I first checked into it, I was sure that Tenacity was one of my Geniuses, but because I have done so many types of tasks and roles, and can see the value in them, it was difficult to just look at the other 5 areas and see what was me. The results did show Tenacity as one of my Geniuses, but I was surprised that Invention was as well as I would have thought they didn’t go together at all. Tenacity is taking a task all the way through completion, finishing up the little details and Invention is creating original and novel ideas and solutions.  

Reading through the Geniuses and learning more about where I thrive has impacted my job search and the evaluation of my role, but also impacts how I work with others, assign tasks to roles, and conduct interviews. It has made a difference in how I perceive my workday and my career goals.  

To find out more about the Working Genius assessment for yourself, go to their website https://www.workinggenius.com and discover where you thrive.