Happy Holidays! 

For those who know me… I’ll say it up front: I’m a little obsessed with Working Genius.
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Over Thanksgiving, I was reminded that work never really escapes us. Even on our most restful days, there’s still a dishwasher to load, a table to set, garbage to take out, or a store to run to. And while some of that work energizes us, other parts quietly drain us.

That’s where Working Genius has been unexpectedly helpful for me — not as a label, but as language. Language that helps explain why certain tasks feel life-giving, while others feel heavy. And here’s the reframe that’s mattered most to me lately:

​Time spent in our Frustrations isn’t failure — it’s Adaptability. It’s us stretching, helping, and showing up where we’re needed, even when it’s not our natural strength. That doesn’t mean we live there — but it does mean we can give ourselves (and others) a little more grace when we do.
As we move through end-of-year celebrations — holidays, gatherings, and year-end wrap-ups — listen to the phrases people use. They often reveal the Genius they’re bringing:

• “I wonder about this…” → Wonder — seeing both the challenge and the opportunity.
• “What if we…?” → Invention — imagining new possibilities.
• “No, this is the better option…” → Discernment — protecting quality and outcomes - hones ideas
• “Let’s all…” → Galvanizing — rallying people and creating momentum.
• “What could I do to help?” → Enablement — offering support and partnership.
• “I’ll take this.” or “What's left to finish?” → Tenacity — executing and following through.

End-of-Year Insight: When we hear these phrases as contributions instead of interruptions, everything shifts. Irritation gives way to appreciation. Gatherings — whether at work or at home — feel calmer, kinder, and more connected.

Sometimes the kindest thing we can do at the end of the year is simply recognize the Genius in each other… and remember that when you are working outside your Genius, your adaptability opportunities are really soaring.

And if you’re looking for simple ways to invite each Genius into the moment this season, try language like this:

• Wonder: “What do you think about this? Any questions about this?
• Invention: “Want to help us solve this?”
• Discernment: “I’d love your instinct on this.”
• Enablement: “Would you help me sort this out?”
• Tenacity: “Can you help me finish this?” (even if it’s a puzzle 😉)

Wishing you rest, connection, and a little extra grace — for yourself and others — as the year comes to a close. 💛

By Kathy Gilmore, Certified Working Genius Facilitator 

If you’ve ever hosted a family gathering, planned a wedding, or survived December, you already know: holidays are wonderful… and they’re work. There are schedules, emotions, logistics, last-minute changes, and at least one moment when everyone is tired and no one is at their best.

That’s actually where the Six Types of Working Genius shines — not just at work, but at home.
When I first became certified as a Working Genius facilitator, I expected to use it to help leadership teams communicate better and reduce friction. What I didn’t expect was how much it would help me navigate real life — planning my daughter’s wedding, organizing events, and yes, even getting through the holidays with a bit more grace.

Working Genius gives us language.

It helps us understand why some tasks feel joyful while others drain us.
It helps us see the people around us with more patience and ease.
And honestly… it makes us kinder.

That’s why I put together a short guide called:
“How to Use Working Genius at Home and for the Holidays.”
It breaks down each of the six types — Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity — and shows how understanding them can make the season smoother, lighter, and more connected.

In it, you’ll find:

• How Wonder can simplify holiday planning rather than complicate it
• How to channel Invention without letting it derail the day
• Why Discernment often saves the gathering
• How Galvanizers can help (and when they need guardrails)
• How to appreciate the Enablers who hold so much together
• And why Tenacity people need clarity more than anything else

Here’s the truth:
The holidays don’t bring out new problems — they reveal the patterns that are already there. Working Genius gives us a healthier way to talk about those patterns so we can approach each other with a little more compassion and a lot less stress.

Want to learn more about how to navigate home and the stress of the holidays? 
View our Guide at the top of the page and fill out our info form! 

​Ready to Build a Better Team?
Working Genius isn’t just a personality assessment. It’s a conversation starter, a trust accelerator and a way to get unstuck.   But more than that, it  builds a kinder, more generous workplace. One where people are quicker to assume good intent, and more willing to give each other grace.  Because when you understand what someone is wired for, and what wears them down, it's a lot easier to lead with empathy.  

When should you book a Working Genius Team Session? 
If your team is stuck, siloed, tired - or just wants to work on their Emotional Intelligence  — let’s start with a tool that helps everyone work a little more like themselves.

For More Information visit: https://www.valleyindustrialassociation.org/sixtypesofworkinggenius.html