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 episode:

(00:00) Stop Defining Yourself by Your Field

• Pat and Cody explain why defining a career by a company, industry, degree, or job title can unnecessarily limit the opportunities people consider.
• Working Genius offers another way to think about a career by focusing on the work that naturally brings someone energy, joy, and fulfillment.

(04:34) Look Beyond the Name on Your Business Card

• Cody explains how two people with the same profession can contribute in very different ways depending on their Working Geniuses.
• Pat and Cody explore how transferable strengths can create opportunities across professions and industries instead of trapping people in one established career path.

(09:38) Go Where Your Strengths Are Most Valued

• Cody shares the story of a vintage watch whose perceived value changes depending on where it is taken, illustrating why the same abilities can be valued very differently across organizations.
• Pat encourages people to look for workplaces that genuinely need and appreciate their strengths rather than simply pursuing jobs that resemble their previous experience.

(14:43) Take a Risk on the Work That Energizes You

• Pat shares how he escaped an unfulfilling internal audit role by proposing a creative employee morale initiative despite having no formal experience doing that kind of work.
• Pat and Cody argue that natural strengths, passion, and a willingness to take risks can sometimes matter more than degrees, credentials, or years of technical experience.

(19:19) Hire for Genius, Not Just Experience

• Pat and Cody explain how organizations can find overlooked talent by identifying the Working Geniuses a role actually requires instead of relying primarily on industry experience.
• They discuss how Working Genius can be used during hiring to help candidates determine whether they will genuinely enjoy the work and help employers find people whose strengths fit the role.

This episode of The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable.

The Six Types of Working Genius model helps you discover your natural gifts and thrive in your work and life. When you’re able to better understand the types of work that bring you more energy and fulfillment and avoid work that leads to frustration and failure, you can be more self-aware, more productive, and more successful.

Take the assessment today to discover your natural gifts and thrive at work: https://workinggenius.me/about

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This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.