Why do some team members leave work energized while others feel drained, frustrated, or misunderstood? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt speaks with coach Heather Crockett about the Working Genius model and how dental teams can use it to better understand their strengths, frustrations, communication patterns, and roles.

You will learn the six types of Working Genius, why every stage of work matters, and how shared language can improve meetings, teamwork, productivity, and joy at work. To understand how your team can work more effectively together, listen to Episode 1064 of The Best Practices Show!

Main Takeaways

• Working Genius helps team members understand which types of work give them energy and which types drain them.
• The six Working Geniuses are wonder, invention, discernment, galvanizing, enablement, and tenacity.
• Each person has two geniuses, two competencies, and two frustrations.
• Teams need all six geniuses to move work from identifying a need through implementation and completion.
• Meetings become less effective when teams move directly from generating ideas to assigning tasks without discernment and galvanizing.
• A shared understanding of Working Genius can reduce judgment, improve communication, and help leaders assign work more intentionally.
• A Working Genius indicates the type of work a person enjoys, but it does not automatically mean that person has mastered it.

Snippets

00:00 Welcome

03:17 What Is Working Genius

06:55 An introduction to the six types of Working Genius.

07:45 How invention generates solutions and new ideas.

09:50 How discernment evaluates ideas and galvanizing creates momentum.

11:12 How enablement supports implementation and tenacity completes the work.

12:09 The difference between geniuses, competencies, and frustrations.

13:01 How complementary geniuses helped ACT Dental grow.

22:05 How Working Genius can reduce judgment and attribution errors.

24:59 How Working Genius affects meetings and workplace culture.

29:51 Why leaders should avoid pigeonholing people by their assessment results.

32:12 A practical treatment plan for applying Working Genius.

34:38 Wrap Up And Part Two Tease

35:13 Final Outro And Resources

Guest Bio/Guest Resources:

Heather Crockett is a Lead Practice Coach who finds joy in not only improving practices but improving the lives of those she coaches as well. With over 20 years of combined experience in assisting, office management, and clinical dental hygiene, her awareness supports many aspects of the practice setting.

Heather received her dental hygiene degree from the Utah College of Dental Hygiene in 2008. Networking in the dental community comes easy to her, and she loves to connect with like-minded colleagues on social media. Heather enjoys both attending and presenting continuing education to expand her knowledge and learn from her friends and colleagues.

She enjoys hanging out with her husband, three sons, and their dog, Moki, scrolling through social media, watching football, and traveling.

Working Genius Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/

The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni: https://www.amazon.com/Types-Working-Genius-Understand-Frustrations/dp/1637743297

Smile Source Exchange: https://smilesource.com/exchange

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/

Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa

Upcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/

Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/

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