Find Your Team's Working Sweet Spot with Working Genius Assessment ft. Craig Sroda & Terry Gour

IT Leaders

In this episode of the IT Leaders podcast, we delve into the art of team optimization with our guest experts Craig and Terry, seasoned leaders with a rich history in IT and organizational development. They share their journey from being competitors to collaborators, co-founding and leading innovative companies, and their passion for building well-rounded, high-performing teams.

Craig, who co-founded Conoco’s Microsoft ERP and CRM division, reflects on their transformative approach to leadership. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the whole person in career development, advocating for balancing personal and professional growth to achieve optimal team performance. Terry, with his extensive experience in team building and leadership development, highlights the significance of aligning individual strengths with team roles to prevent burnout and enhance productivity.

A key focus of this episode is the Working Genius assessment, a tool that has revolutionized their approach to team dynamics. Craig and Terry discuss how this assessment helps identify six distinct types of working geniuses—Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity—and how these traits contribute to a team’s success. They share real-world examples of how recognizing and leveraging these geniuses can lead to more cohesive, efficient, and motivated teams.

Listeners will gain insights into the practical application of the Working Genius model, including how to foster better communication, manage cognitive dissonance, and ensure that team members are operating in their sweet spots. The discussion also covers strategies for addressing common leadership challenges, such as motivating diverse team members, managing introverts, and dealing with toxic high performers.

By the end of the episode, technology leaders and managers will have a deeper understanding of how to use the Working Genius assessment to enhance their team’s performance and create a more harmonious work environment. Craig and Terry’s experiences and actionable advice will inspire listeners to rethink their leadership strategies and invest in the holistic development of their teams.

Key Takeaways:

1. Whole Person Management: The importance of addressing both personal and professional aspects of team members’ lives.

2. Working Genius Assessment: An introduction to the six working geniuses and how they impact team dynamics.

3. Optimal Team Performance: Strategies for aligning individual strengths with team roles to prevent burnout and enhance productivity.

4. Leadership Challenges: Practical solutions for motivating diverse team members, managing introverts, and handling toxic high performers.

5. Self-Awareness and Team Awareness: Enhancing leadership effectiveness through self-awareness and understanding of team dynamics.

Tune in to discover how you can optimize your team’s performance by understanding and leveraging their unique working geniuses.