Discover The Five Faces of Genius by Moser-Wellman! This captivating book reveals five types of genius that enrich our teams, each bringing their unique touch to innovate and tackle challenges.
How to Detect Your Colleagues’ Genius Types: A Book Review of The Five Faces of Genius by Moser-Wellman
A few months ago, during one of our brainstorming sessions at our elearning agency, I noticed something fascinating: each of my colleagues approached the problem at hand in their own distinct way. One was focused on long-term strategy, another meticulously dissected the fine details, while yet another boldly threw out unconventional ideas. We were all working towards the same goal, yet the diversity in our approaches was striking—and highly effective.
That’s when I remembered the book The Five Faces of Genius by Moser-Wellman, a book I had bought years ago, and finally decided to read:: I was intrigued! The book offers a framework to better understand the creative strengths we all bring to the table. I realized that identifying and appreciating these strengths in my colleagues wasn’t just interesting—it was essential to real teamwork, especially in a small company where every person’s contribution plays a crucial role in the success of the team.
In The Five Faces of Genius, Moser-Wellman describes five distinct genius types that individuals embody, each contributing uniquely to problem-solving and innovation. By recognizing these genius types in our colleagues, we can better understand how to collaborate, play to each other’s strengths, and elevate the overall performance of the team.
In small companies, this understanding is paramount. We don’t have the luxury of large departments to handle different tasks. Instead, each person’s unique genius type helps us tackle challenges from multiple angles, ensuring we’re constantly innovative and efficient.
The Five Faces of Genius: How to Detect Your Colleagues’ Genius Types
The Seer (Visionary Thinking)
In one of our team meetings, I remember a colleague who kept steering the conversation towards the bigger picture. While most of us were caught up in the details, they were asking questions like, “What does this mean for us in the long run?” This is classic Seer behaviour. Seers naturally look beyond the present, always connecting the dots to future outcomes and trends.
How to spot them: Seers are often the ones to take a step back and look at the larger strategic context. In meetings, they talk about long-term goals and potential future trends. When faced with a challenge, they tie it to broader objectives.
Signs to watch for: You’ll hear things like, “What’s the long-term impact of this decision?” or “How does this fit into our bigger strategy?” They shift conversations towards future possibilities and visionary thinking.
Workplace value: Seers help guide the team towards big-picture goals, ensuring that projects align with broader strategies. They often see opportunities others miss because they’re thinking beyond the immediate task at hand.
The Observer (Detail-Oriented Insight)
We once had a situation where a small mistake almost slipped through in a client project. It was only thanks to an Observer on our team that we caught it in time. Observers are the people who see what others overlook, focusing on the details and ensuring precision.
- How to spot them: Observers tend to be more reserved in meetings but provide sharp, insightful comments. They notice details others might overlook, such as a small flaw in a design or a gap in data.
- Signs to watch for: They’ll say things like, “Did anyone notice that small discrepancy?” or “I think we’re missing a key point here.” Observers pick up on patterns and trends that go unnoticed by the rest of the team.
- Workplace value: Observers provide accuracy and ensure high-quality work by paying attention to small details. Their insights lead to refinements and help prevent errors, elevating the team’s overall performance.
The Alchemist (Creative Combiner)
In a recent brainstorming session, one of my colleagues suggested blending an interactive tool we were developing with a storytelling technique from a completely different industry. It sounded odd at first, but it worked. This was the hallmark of an Alchemist, someone who blends different ideas to create something new.
How to spot them: Alchemists are the ones who connect unrelated ideas and create something innovative. They thrive in brainstorming sessions, where they combine different concepts and are unafraid to take creative risks.
Signs to watch for: You’ll hear phrases like, “What if we combined this technique with that tool?” or “Let’s try something unconventional by merging these two ideas.” Alchemists are always looking for innovative ways to blend different perspectives.
Workplace value: Alchemists bring unique, innovative ideas by combining different methods or tools. They thrive in environments that encourage experimentation and help push the team into new, unexplored areas.
The Fool (Challenger of Conventions)
During a heated discussion on sticking to traditional methods, a teammate humorously blurted out, “Why are we even doing it this way?” It broke the tension and led us down a new, more creative path. That’s the power of the Fool—the one who challenges conventions and brings fresh perspectives.
How to spot them: Fools aren’t afraid to play devil’s advocate. They question established norms and introduce bold, often humorous ideas that shake up group thinking.
Signs to watch for: You’ll hear, “Why are we doing it like this? Let’s flip it around!” or “What if we threw out the usual process and tried something new?” Fools use humor and unconventional thinking to break mental barriers.
Workplace value: Fools disrupt groupthink and push the team to explore new possibilities. Their willingness to challenge the status quo often leads to breakthrough ideas that wouldn’t have surfaced otherwise.
The Sage (Wise, Methodical Thinker)
One time, when our team was stuck in “analysis paralysis”, one colleague calmly simplified the issue into a few key points and led us to a solution. This is typical of a Sage, someone who brings wisdom and clarity to complex situations.
How to spot them: Sages are the ones who step in when things get complicated and offer calm, wise guidance. They have a philosophical approach to problems, often distilling complex ideas into simple, actionable steps.
Signs to watch for: You’ll hear phrases like, “Let’s break this down step by step,” or “What’s the simplest solution?” They often bring clarity and keep the team grounded.
Workplace value: Sages provide stability and wisdom, simplifying complex problems and offering guidance. They’re often a go-to for advice and help the team stay focused when things get overwhelming.
Why This Matters in a Small Team
In a small company, every individual’s strengths matter. We rely on each other to bring out the best in projects, solve problems efficiently, and think creatively. By recognizing and understanding the genius types within our team, we not only improve collaboration but also ensure that everyone is contributing in a way that aligns with their natural strengths.
Knowing who’s the Seer, who’s the Observer, or who’s the Fool can help us better assign tasks, lead projects, and overcome challenges. Instead of expecting everyone to contribute in the same way, we can leverage each person’s unique genius type to maximize our collective success.
In The Five Faces of Genius, Moser-Wellman gives us the tools to do just that—identify, understand, and celebrate the different creative strengths that make teams thrive.
Would you like to uncover the types of genius within your team and learn how to harness them? At Novaconcept, we believe that diverse creative strengths are the key to collective success. Whether you want to integrate these ideas into your practices or develop tailored learning solutions, our team is here to support you. Contact us to learn more!
