Most leaders assume burnout comes from working too hard. Patrick Lencioni argues it often comes from doing the wrong kind of work. In this clip from the ScaleX Insider podcast, Patrick explains how the Working Genius framework was born from his own leadership frustrations and why understanding where your natural energy lies can transform the way you lead.
Patrick shares the story behind creating the Six Types of Working Genius after spending years feeling frustrated despite leading a company he loved. He reveals how discovering that every person has two areas of natural Working Genius, two competencies, and two frustrations changed the way he thinks about leadership, team performance, and burnout.
He introduces the first two Working Geniuses, Wonder and Invention, explaining why every breakthrough starts with curiosity and why some people are naturally energised by asking better questions while others thrive by creating new ideas. Brendan reflects on why many leaders have stopped wondering in today's world and explores why rediscovering curiosity could be one of the biggest competitive advantages for businesses looking to scale.
00:00 Why Patrick created the Working Genius framework
01:35 The leadership frustration that inspired the model
03:40 Why burnout often comes from the wrong work
05:20 The six types of Working Genius explained
Guests referenced: Patrick Lencioni
Resources mentioned: The Six Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni, workinggenius.com
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Host: Brendan McGurgan, Co-Founder Simple Scaling
Guest: Patrick Lencioni
