Ask For Help
The episode centers on the simple yet powerful practice of asking for help, framed through the Working Genius model. Hosts argue that when a task drains our joy, the optimal response isn’t more training but delegation to someone whose genius aligns with that activity. Key insights include recognizing working frustrations, refusing to double‑down on disliked work, and openly requesting assistance. By begging for help, we affirm the helper’s strengths, foster vulnerability‑based trust, and convert a personal drain into another’s source of energy. The hosts illustrate the concept with vivid examples: a neighbor fixing a toilet, a spouse handling credit‑card bills, and a proposed one‑page “help sheet” that lists each person’s geniuses and gaps. Real‑world anecdotes show how asking for aid can rescue marriages, improve team dynamics, and revive community connections. Ultimately, institutionalizing help requests reshapes workplace culture, boosts productivity, and deepens personal relationships by turning individual weaknesses into collective strengths.
Working Genius Is FUN
The podcast hosts Pat and Cody explore how the Working Genius framework transforms the notion of fun at work, arguing that genuine enjoyment stems from aligning tasks with each person’s innate strengths rather than superficial perks. They note that when employees...
Cults vs Cultures
The podcast episode tackles a nuanced question: when does a company’s strong culture cross the line into a cult? Host Pat Lanchon and co‑host Cody Thompson explore how the term “cult” is often misapplied to organizations that simply have clear,...
Working Genius and Blind Spots
The podcast episode explores how the Working Genius framework intersects with the Johari window to surface personal blind spots—behaviors others notice but the individual overlooks. By mapping the six types of Working Genius (two geniuses, two competencies, two frustrations) onto...
In the Grip
The Working Genius podcast episode titled “In the Grip” explores how each of the six genius types behaves when under stress, co‑ining the phrase “in the grip” to describe the unregulated state that follows normal, healthy operation. The hosts break down...
Miserable Employees
The At the Table podcast episode titled “Miserable Employees” explores why workers feel disengaged and how leaders can reverse that trend. Host Pat Lanchone and co‑host Cody Thompson revisit Pat’s decades‑old book, originally called The Three Signs of a Miserable...
You Don’t Need To Quit Your Job
The video argues that quitting or dramatically changing careers isn’t the only path to job satisfaction; instead, it promotes a self‑assessment approach that helps employees align daily tasks with their innate strengths. By recognizing that every role comprises six distinct...
Your Company’s Genius Featuring Matthew Lencioni
The Working Genius podcast hosts Pat Lanchon and Cody Thompson explore how the six‑type Working Genius model can be applied to entire organizations, not just individuals. In this episode they invite Matthew Lencioni to test the theory live, asking whether...
Be an Extremist
The podcast episode argues that businesses should adopt an "extremist" stance on core values and strategic anchors, rather than seeking moderation. By defining and defending a narrow set of principles, firms can automatically repel employees and customers who don’t fit,...
No Shame in That
The episode “No Shame in That” explores how the Working Genius framework can strip away the hidden shame many feel when they struggle with tasks that lie outside their innate strengths. Host Pat and Cody explain that recognizing one’s working...