Episode
EP128 – Using the Working Genius Model to Build Better MSP Teams – with Chris Cooke
- Podcast
- It's a Numbers Game
- Published
- Mar 22, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2130
- Processing state
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Summary
Chris joins Daniel and Adam to discuss Patrick Lencioni's Working Genius assessment, a 40-question framework about where people get energy and joy at work, contrasting it with tools like Myers-Briggs and DISC (communication preference). He explains the WIDGET model: Wonder (identify gaps), Invention (generate ideas), Discernment (judge ideas), Galvanizing (rally action), Enablement (help others move work forward), and Tenacity (drive to completion), plus how each person has two geniuses, two competencies, and two frustrations. They cover applying the model in MSPs to improve role fit, career progression (e.g., L1 vs escalations, sales vs sales management), meeting focus (strategy vs tactics), recruitment language, and reducing burnout through intentional time spent in frustration areas. 00:00 Introductions and Banter 00:23 Why Working Genius 02:08 WIDGET Overview 02:32 Wonder and Invention 03:18 Discernment and Galvanizing 04:13 Enablement and Tenacity 05:45 Genius Competency Frustration 07:50 Applying it to Meetings 09:17 Business Gaps and Stages 10:25 Every Job Uses All Six 12:04 Role Fit Sales Example 14:37 Technicians Need Clarity 15:07 Clarity Versus Escalations 15:50 Valuing Level One Talent 17:06 Career Paths and Intentionality 18:17 Time Blocking for Strengths 19:46 Hiring Amid Talent Shortage 22:00 Do Your Results Change 25:21 Engineering into Sales 28:40 Right Seats and QBRs 30:23 DISC Versus Working Genius 32:27 Wrap Up and Contact Connect with Chris Cook on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/cookechris Connect with Daniel Welling on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielwelling/ Connect with Adam Morris on LinkedIn by clicking here – https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcmorris/ Visit The MSP Finance Team website, sim…