Working Genius and Coaching [Invention]
Next in the Working Genius series lineup is Invention.
First, we had Wonder - in a nutshell - that is where the ideas start. Then we move to stage 2 of our 6-letter series.
Patrick Lencioni defines the Genius of Invention as "The natural gift of creating original and novel ideas and solutions." Remember a genius is something you just love to do - you were born for it. You enjoy it so much that you lose track of time when you get to do it.
Invention is like that for me!
I LOVE to ideate, especially when it has something to do with organizing and projecting. Structure development is way fun for me. I'm happy to build multiple scenario possibilities so the best ideas can be chosen.
I know it's a little geeky, maybe even more than a little, but understanding this genius has changed my work life in a few significant ways.
1) I volunteer to organize stuff now. I used to think everyone loved structure and I was "stealing" the fun jobs if I worked on scenario building. Turns out a lot of people think it is draining. Who knew?
2) I build multiple options for others to choose from now. I used to think that I should be the one to figure out the best plan so I didn't waste time building options and also so I didn't waste people's time considering a variety of possibilities.
We'll talk more about this next time, but a sneak peek tells you that the next letter "D" is for Discernment and that is where the decision should be made. That's a big weight off my shoulders. I can ideate all day long and having the freedom not to have to only offer one option feels very freeing to me!
3) I have learned/am learning to ask if it is the right time to throw out ideas. People with Invention as a genius can't help but want to improve or reorg stuff. All the stuff. Once a decision has been made it is important to shut down the ideation process or at the very least only make minimal tweaks.
Constantly "improving" can cause a sense of instability. People may not want to lean in to a project if they keep feeling like the plan is going to change again.
As a coach, having invention can be helpful OR harmful. Helpful if your client does not have Invention as a genius and they are struggling with possible ideas to move forward. Harmful if the coach takes on the role of ideator when the coachee is not really asking for that.
Being clear on what stage of the coaching conversation you are in helps!
If you get to Action Steps and are coming up short on ideas, perhaps reading out to someone with Invention could BE the step. Making sure the ask is for multiple ideas rather than THE plan keeps the ownership on the coachee and keeps the relationship free of infantizing.
If the person being coached has Invention as a Genius, beware the possibility of option paralysis. This is where the ideator keeps brainstorming options and may have trouble moving forward if they think the very best option is still out there. Helping a client like this with clarity questions could be the gift they need.
These questions would sound like:
- "How will you decide?" Starting with this question tests the water and may guide the conversation. Perhaps the person is happy with the contemplation stage, or perhaps this question helps them see that they are in a stuck place of sorts.
- "How long would you be willing to put off a decision before you just need to move forward with your current best?" Sometimes I throw out options when in this mode. "Would a year be too long?" "How about a month?" Usually, the person being coached has more of an idea about timing than they had realized before.
- "Who could you run your ideas by to feel strong about your decision?" Sometimes this question brings the Aha moment of a person they should talk to, or that they themselves just need to decide.
The Invention stage is invaluable! Invention takes an idea out of the dream cloud and helps it start to take shape.
Taking the time to consider multiple possibilities for what comes next can save all kinds of grief. it can keep you from moving too quickly on the first idea that comes to you. It can help you build on tangent ideas. It can help you see things you didn't see at first.
It repeats the question, "How about....?" over and over till the right option clicks.
Invention is what the future is built on!