We learn who we are only by living, and not before. – David Epstein
Kendra here. I often talk about product management as being very similar to the work of a traffic cop. No real authority besides taking a stand in the middle of an intersection with a light saber and a whistle. Not driving the cars, or fully able to anticipate what is behind each next up vehicle, but confident in directing the flow of traffic. Stopping those that need to wait a hot second. Waving on those that are free to move forward.
It’s the same in product management. And this analogy has often left me wondering:
What am I really good at?
And what do I truly enjoy about this work?
Enter every type of personality and work-type test you can think of. Clifton’s Strength Finders. Myers Briggs. Insights. Enneagram. The list goes on. And then I picked up my husband’s copy of Patrick Lencioni’s, The Six Types of Working Genius, and finished it in a single sitting. I promptly took the test and felt revolutionized by the possibilities. It was the first time that I agreed with every takeaway and definition for who I understand myself to be. That was genius enough for me.
Working Genius
The core premise is that each of us is wired to work within two genius types, two competency types and two frustration types. The six types make up a nice little acronym with the word W-I-D-G-E-T.
W = Wonder
I = Invention
D = Discernment
G = Galvanizing
E = Enablement
T = Tenacity
Without further ado–because I want to highlight what Katy and I are good at and where we land on the WIDGET board with our geniuses–I asked a few questions of our oh so trusty friend: ChatGPT. All emphasis and name additions are mine.
Kendra:
I am a DE – Discerner, Enabler and my business partner,Katy, is a WD – Wonder, Discerner. Define and describe how we are effective as a team.
ChatGPT:
In Patrick Lencioni’s “Working Genius” model, having complementary geniuses can create a highly effective team. Here’s a definition and description of how your and your business partner’s top geniuses work together to enhance your team’s effectiveness:
Definitions
- Wonder (Katy):
- Definition: A Wonderer is someone who loves to ponder possibilities and ask big questions. They are naturally curious and driven by the need to explore new ideas and opportunities.
- Characteristics: Wonderers are imaginative, contemplative, and inquisitive. They are often the source of inspiration and innovation, as they can identify unmet needs and envision new solutions.
- Discerner (K2)
- Definition: A Discerner is someone who has a natural ability to assess, evaluate, and judge the viability and potential of ideas and plans. They provide critical and intuitive insight, helping to refine concepts and ensure that the best decisions are made.
- Characteristics: Discerners are perceptive, insightful, and possess good judgment. They can see patterns and potential pitfalls, making them valuable for vetting ideas and providing guidance on the best course of action.
- Enabler (Kendra):
- Definition: An Enabler is someone who loves and is naturally gifted at providing encouragement and assistance for an idea or project. They play a crucial role in supporting and helping others to implement plans and execute ideas.
- Characteristics: Enablers are collaborative, supportive, and ready to help others move forward. They often facilitate progress by being reliable and encouraging team members, ensuring that projects and initiatives are carried out effectively.
Team Effectiveness
Combining your geniuses of Enabling and Discerning with your partner’s Wonder and Discerning creates a balanced and dynamic partnership. Here’s how you can be effective as a team:
Innovation and Ideation:
- Wonder: Your partner’s genius in Wonder allows them to come up with creative and innovative ideas. They can see possibilities that others might overlook and ask important, thought-provoking questions.
- Discerning: Both of you share the ability to discern, which means you can critically evaluate these ideas, identifying the most viable and impactful ones. Your partner’s ability to wonder is complemented by your mutual ability to assess the potential and practicality of these ideas.
Decision Making:
Having two Discerners on the team means you have a strong capacity for making
well-considered decisions.
You both bring valuable insights
and judgment to the table,
ensuring that ideas are thoroughly vetted and
only the best ones move forward.
Execution and Support:
- Enabling: Your role as an Enabler ensures that once decisions are made, they are effectively implemented. You provide the necessary support and encouragement to move projects forward, helping to overcome obstacles and facilitating smooth execution.
- Discerning: Your discerning ability also helps during execution by continuously evaluating progress and making necessary adjustments to keep projects on track.
Collaborative Synergy
- Complementary Strengths: Your partner’s ability to generate ideas (Wonder) and your ability to support and implement (Enabling) create a powerful synergy. Their visionary thinking and your practical support ensure that innovative ideas are not only conceived but also brought to fruition.
- Balanced Approach: The dual Discerners in your team mean that both the ideation and execution phases are grounded in strong, critical thinking. This balance ensures that you are neither too cautious nor too reckless in pursuing new opportunities.
- Enhanced Creativity and Practicality: Your partner can explore bold new ideas, knowing that you will help refine them and ensure they are realistically achievable. This combination fosters a creative yet practical approach to business.
By leveraging each other’s strengths and working collaboratively, you and your partner can create a well-rounded and highly effective team capable of generating and executing innovative ideas with precision and support.
Isn’t that fun?! It also makes me very happy to have AI use the word synergy, as it is one of those dramatically overused words used in the software industry roughly 10 years ago.. We have worked together in corporate several times and we have collaborated on projects for our clients–and always, always, these strengths and synergies shine. I can do another post one day about what ChatGPT said about the gaps we have as a team… but that will also result in highlighting the incredible partnerships we’ve built with other independent consultants that can shore up our work when we’re not ‘it’.
We highly recommend the Six Types of Working Genius for your team, your operations, your organization. And don’t be shocked if its one of our first recommendations when we’re helping you scale your product.
K2 Product 
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