Nope! That Won’t Work!
Do you have the Genius of Discernment?
The Genius of Discernment is incredibly important in the work process, but can also be the most damaging genius. This genius helps our teams to make the right decisions, to complete projects in the most economic ways. However, those with the genius of discernment who don’t understand how to use it well, it can often be used dismissively or in a way that leaves our colleagues and friends feeling worthless.
To find out more about the Working Genius of Invention go to www.shanekuchel.com/working-genius.
-
Steve Jobs likely had the Genius of Discernment. When visiting Xerox, he spotted unused technologies like the mouse and graphical interface and immediately felt they were the future of computing. He returned to Apple and incorporated them into the early Macintosh. Jobs often said he didn’t come up with many ideas, but he had a gut feeling about what would work—this is the essence of Discernment.
I am spending a number of episodes running through the Working Genius model: It is a self-awareness model which helps you understand what brings you joy and energy in your work. Being a model that directly correlates to the work process, it helps us and our teams become more productive at work.
The Genius of Discernment is about making good judgments based on instinct and intuition. It involves recognizing patterns and evaluating ideas without relying on data or expertise. People with this genius thrive on assessing whether an idea is sound or needs refinement, finding joy in making decisions that shape great outcomes.
People with Discernment often think and say things like:
“Now, that’s a great idea.”
“This isn’t going to work.”
“Tell me more about your proposal; I think you’re on to something.”
Others often say about them:
“Ask her. She always seems to have the best advice.”
“He has uncanny intuition. I trust his gut.”
However, there’s a shadow side. Confident Discerners can become brash or dismissive, quickly shooting down ideas that aren’t fully developed. This can cause tension in teams or relationships. When used wisely, Discernment helps refine untested ideas into something truly valuable.
If you have the Genius of Discernment, don’t be quick to dismiss ideas outright. Instead, ask thoughtful, discerning questions. This will reveal if an idea needs to be abandoned or developed further. Through this process, you not only contribute to the idea’s improvement but also make the person presenting it feel valued, fostering collaboration.
If this reminds you of someone, they might have the Genius of Discernment. Next time you’re refining an idea, seek out a healthy discerner—they’ll help you hone it into something great.