Over-Thinking & Analysis Paralysis
That’s what happens when Wonder is misused and overused.
What is Wonder? It’s the first activity necessary for doing any kind of work. From planning a vacation to building a bridge. It all starts with Wonder.
In the Working Genius model by Patrick Lencioni, “Wonder” is where all meaningful work begins. As a Genius, it’s the natural gift someone has of pondering potential—asking, “Is there a better way?” or “Are we missing something important?” It’s a gift to them because they’re energized by contemplating where something more could be done.
Wonder is where opportunities are identified.
When leveraged well, exercising Wonder helps teams to pause, reflect, and identify untapped possibilities.
But like any strength, it can be overused & misused:
Overused: When every nuance is considered & examined endlessly, it stalls the shift towards Invention (creating solutions) and breeds inaction.
Misused: When macro-level decisions already in motion are questioned mid-flight, it unintentionally creates turbulence.
A few tips to use Wonder wisely and avoid it’s misuse:
1. Name It
If you have a big-picture, “Wonder” type of insight, just come out and say so. “This might be a question of Wonder—I’m unsure if it’s relevant at the moment, but I’d like to get others’ perspectives.”
This may sound cheesy – but it’s clear and disarms defensiveness while signalling that your motive is contribution, not critique.
2. Leaders: Make Wonder safe.
When leadership values those big “I wonder if…” moments, they open the doors to possibility. BUT if it’s not safe, they may not even recognize that there was a door to begin with and instead risk:
- Suppressing valuable insights
- Missing transformational ideas
- Team members misusing their Wonder genius OR
- Stalling the development of the Wonder genius on their team
3. Celebrate Your Wonder with Decisive Action
If you have this Genius, you’re wired to notice potential and see what’s possible. That’s an absolute GIFT. But don’t fear the moment when it’s time to move forward. Progress needs decisiveness too.
Not familiar with The Six Types of Working Genius model? It’s a productivity tool (not a personality test) that helps individuals and teams tap into the work that brings them energy and fulfillment while increasing collaboration and productivity.
So let me ask if you want to…
- Avoid the turbulence of unmet expectations?
- Have greater clarity & language for those unidentified expectations?
- Take your team to the next level?
- Experience less guilt and judgment on your team?
Then take Working Genius for a Test Drive!
I’m convinced that the Working Genius will help you to adjust and improve your team’s productivity and morale at work. If you lead a team, it’s worth seeing firsthand how this model can change the game for your team.
I can’t convince you BUT that’s what the test drive is for. Allow me to give you an inside look at a team workshop. If it resonates, we’ll set it up for your entire team to experience The Working Genius.
