116. 5 Tips for Managers

More from The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni

1. 

   E119 · 11 Aug 2026 · 19 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…

2. 

   E118 · 28 Jul 2026 · 16 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:…

3. 

   E117 · 14 Jul 2026 · 34 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,…

4. 

   E115 · 16 Jun 2026 · 15 min

   115. Work Allergies

   What kind of work are you trying to master even though it consistently drains you? In episode 115 of the Working Genius Podcast, Pat and Cody explore why people should not try to become great at their Working Frustrations. They explain how spending too much time in draining work can create a “work allergy,” making people resistant even to small, necessary doses of that work later on. The conversation encourages listeners to honor their natural gifts, avoid proving themselves through frustrating work, and practice moderation when unavoidable tasks arise. Topics explored in this episode:…

5. 

   E114 · 2 Jun 2026 · 22 min

   114. C X O

   What would change if your team focused more on talents than job descriptions? In episode 114 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson explore why leadership roles cannot be reduced to generic titles or one-size-fits-all job descriptions. They explain how Working Genius helps leaders understand their own wiring, build around their gaps, and stop assuming that every CEO, COO, or team member should operate the same way. The conversation ultimately points teams toward collective accountability, where tasks are divided according to talent but ownership remains shared.…

6. 

   E113 · 19 May 2026 · 20 min

   113. Ask For Help

   Why is it so hard for you to ask for help with the things that frustrate you? In episode 113 of the Working Genius Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and Cody Thompson unpack why asking for help is one of the most practical and freeing applications of Working Genius. They explain how people often assume the work they hate must be miserable for everyone else, when in reality it may be exactly the kind of work that gives someone else joy and energy. Through examples from work, friendship, neighborhoods, and marriage, they show how naming your frustrations can reduce shame, build trust, and deepen…

7. 

   E123 · 6 Oct 2026 · 18 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…

8. 

   E122 · 22 Sep 2026 · 20 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…

9. 

   E121 · 8 Sep 2026 · 24 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…

10. 

    E120 · 25 Aug 2026 · 12 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…

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