Susan Davis opened her talk at the recent Women’s Business Center Organization luncheon with a relatable question: “How many of you have felt burnout today?”
Hands quickly rose throughout the room, accompanied by knowing laughter.
Davis, Chief Growth Officer at CBY Professional Services, took this common workplace challenge head-on. She introduced the idea of “Working Genius,” explaining how identifying your natural strengths can transform exhaustion into energy.
Build a more dynamic, motivated, and successful team
Your “Working Genius”
The “Working Genius” concept, created by leadership expert Patrick Lencioni, focuses specifically on productivity rather than personality traits.
It highlights six core strengths—Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity—that align closely with individual talents and passions.
“Burnout isn’t about working too much,” Davis clarified. “It’s about spending too much time doing the wrong tasks.” Even brief periods on misaligned tasks can drain your energy, while working within your strengths can keep you motivated and energized.
Leveraging Your Strengths
Throughout her talk, Davis shared practical tips to identify and use these strengths effectively.
Attendees resonated with her points, recognizing their own frustrations from working outside their natural skills.
She emphasized the importance of clearly understanding team members’ strengths to improve collaboration, clarify roles, and allocate tasks effectively.
“Creative people shouldn’t be stuck managing tiny details,” she noted, “and detail-oriented individuals shouldn’t be expected to constantly generate new ideas.”
Reclaiming Workplace Joy
Davis humorously described working outside your strengths as “holding a coffee cup with a hole at the bottom—your energy just leaks out.”
She advised attendees to intentionally prioritize tasks that bring joy, recommending a “sandwiching” strategy—placing less enjoyable tasks between those that fuel passion.
Her presentation sparked lively discussions and personal stories from the audience. Davis wrapped up by encouraging everyone to reclaim joy at work by recognizing and embracing their “Working Genius.”
“Don’t just pull over when you run out of fuel,” Davis concluded. “Fill up by doing more of what genuinely energizes you.”
Those interested in learning more about their own Working Genius profile can access assessment tools through CBY Professional Services.
