Supercharge Your Marketing Team with Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius Model

Marketing thrives on teamwork. It’s a fast-moving, ever-changing field where success depends on collaboration, thoughtful strategy, and smooth execution. At KidGlov, we like to think of it as a beautifully choreographed dance—each person has their own unique part, and when everything comes together, its synchronicity at its finest. But like any great performance, success doesn’t happen by chance. It takes careful planning, an understanding of everyone’s strengths, and a commitment to setting your team up for success.

That’s why we’ve embraced Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius model at KidGlov. This approach has helped us understand our team better, foster stronger collaboration, and deliver incredible results for our clients. It’s a game-changer for how we work, and it’s just one of the ways we ensure our team feels the LOV.

Understanding the Working Genius Model

The Working Genius model breaks down teamwork into six “geniuses”—the natural talents that fuel productivity and creativity. These include:

• Wonder: Asking big questions and identifying opportunities.
• Invention: Creating solutions to address challenges.
• Discernment: Using intuition and judgment to refine ideas.
• Galvanizing: Rallying people to take action.
• Enablement: Providing support to move efforts forward.
• Tenacity: Ensuring goals are completed to the highest standard.

This framework that we affectionately refer to as “the WIDGET,” reminds us that no one person can do it all. The magic happens when we bring together people with complementary strengths.

Leaning Into Strengths

At KidGlov, one of the most important lessons we’ve learned is this: you don’t have to be brilliant at every genius. In fact, trying to power through tasks that don’t align with your natural strengths can drain your energy and slow you down. Instead, we believe in leaning into what you do best and partnering with others to fill in the gaps.

Here’s how that looks in action. If a task will take you an hour or less, dive in and tackle it. But if it’s a bigger lift, don’t hesitate to call on someone whose genius aligns with the challenge. Asking for help isn’t just okay—it’s part of how we work. This approach fosters collaboration and ensures everyone has a chance to shine where they’re strongest.

And if you’re a team of one or part of a small group without the full Working Genius, don’t worry. You can tap into outside resources, collaborate with other departments, or bring in freelance or agency expertise. Sometimes the best support comes from knowing when to reach beyond your team to get the job done right.

Applying the Working Genius Model

The Working Genius framework is part of KidGlov’s DNA. It shapes everything we do—from how we tackle daily tasks to how we connect in team meetings. This powerful tool helps us amplify our marketing efforts, and it can do the same for you. Here’s how we put it to work:

1. Assess Your Team’s Geniuses: Identify where each team member excels and where they experience frustration. This understanding builds trust and alignment.
2. Match Geniuses to Needs: For every project or meeting, we consider which geniuses are most critical. For example, brainstorming a big idea might require Wonder and Invention, while executing a campaign needs Tenacity.
3. Ask for Support Without Guilt: The beauty of this model lies in its simplicity. Once you understand the WIDGET, you can confidently ask for help in areas that aren’t your strength—without guilt, fear, or shame.
4. Focus on Fulfillment: By leaning into the geniuses that energize you, you’ll find more joy and fulfillment in your work. This isn’t just good for individuals—it’s transformative for the entire team.

A Framework for Winning Together

The beauty of the Working Genius framework is its simplicity and the profound difference it makes. With six easy-to-remember traits, it gives teams a common language for working together. At KidGlov, this model has transformed how we assign tasks, structure meetings, and solve challenges.

Marketing is absolutely a team sport, but it’s also a personal journey. When you embrace your genius, ask for support where you need it, and focus on your strengths, the work becomes more rewarding—and so much more enjoyable.

Ready to harness your team’s genius? Whether you’re interested in implementing the Working Genius model or building a smart, strategic marketing plan, KidGlov is here to help. Let’s unlock your team’s potential—together. Reach out to us to get the ball rolling.

KidGlov is a full-service advertising, branding, and content marketing agency with B Corp and National Women’s Business Enterprise certifications. It is located in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska, and specializes in nonprofit marketing, healthcare marketing, financial services marketing, social impact marketing, and purpose-driven businesses.