Working Genius in Action: Implementation – Turning Plans into Reality

If the Ideation phase is about asking “What if?” and the Activation phase is about deciding “Should we go?”, then Implementation is the point where all the talking stops, and the doing begins.

In the Working Genius model, the Implementation phase is fueled by two very specific geniuses: Enablement (E) and Tenacity (T). Without these, projects stall, details get lost, and brilliant ideas never see the light of day.

But here’s the twist: these words don’t mean exactly what you might think.

• Enablement in Working Genius isn’t about saying yes to everything. It’s the instinctive ability to get others moving by providing the right kind of help at the right time. It’s not just about offering assistance — it’s about knowing what will help someone actually take action.

  
  

• Tenacity isn’t just about grit or perseverance (though those help). In Working Genius, it’s the drive to bring a project to completion according to agreed-upon standards. Tenacity people can’t stand leaving things unfinished — and they have an internal motor that pushes them to tie up every last loose end.

When Implementation Works: A Multi-Year Leadership Transition

One of the best examples of strong Implementation I’ve seen was with a client navigating a complex, multi-year leadership transition.

From the outset, they didn’t just say, “We’ll figure it out when the time comes.” They built it into their strategic plan. The objective was clear: transition the managing leader role to the identified successor while strengthening the rest of the leadership structure.

That clarity, along with our help, allowed them to:

• Map out milestones over multiple years

• Keep the conversation alive and on track

• Build in regular check-ins to assess readiness and address gaps

By the time the transition date arrived, it was seamless. The incoming leader had been equipped with the tools, relationships, and confidence to succeed. The outgoing leader didn’t disappear — they took on a support role, championing the new leader’s authority and helped the team adjust.

One of the smartest moves? Promoting another team member into a COO role during the process. That freed the new leader to focus on both their management duties and their technical expertise without burning out.

This was Implementation at its finest: a plan carried out with consistency, adaptability, and the right people in the right roles, at the right time to make it stick.

Enablement as a Strength

Enablement is one of my own Working Geniuses, and in Implementation it often shows up in quiet but critical ways. For example, I recently worked with a client on a feasibility study for a new cultural organization.

I was all-in for the strategic conversations, visioning exercises, and stakeholder engagement. But when it came time for the detailed research and final writing — that’s where my Tenacity frustration kicked in. I can do it, but it drains me.

Thankfully, I was partnered with someone who has Tenacity as a Genius. While my Enablement Genius allowed me to effortlessly clear roadblocks, provide structure and context, and keep the project moving forward, they zeroed in on the checklist and executed the details. Between the two of us, the project stayed on track — and the final product met the high standard we had promised and the client deserved.

This is why knowing your own Geniuses (and frustrations) matters. If I’d tried to handle all the Tenacity-heavy work myself, it would have taken longer, been less enjoyable, and potentially delivered a weaker result.

Tenacity as a Frustration

Here’s where it gets tricky for me personally: Tenacity is one of my Working Frustrations.

It’s worth noting that Tenacity means something different in Working Genius than it does in our CSR values. In our company values, “Tenacity” is about stick-to-it-edness — the grit to see a project through challenges. But in Working Genius, Tenacity is laser-focused on closing the loop on agreed-upon work to a specific standard.

For me, that’s where I feel the drag. I love supporting others to get to the finish line (Enablement), but being the one to check off the final dozen tasks myself? That’s not my best lane. And that’s okay — because I’ve learned to build teams and structures that balance out my frustrations.

When Implementation Is Missing

Not every project nails the Implementation phase.

We’ve seen it with clients who get excited about a strategic plan but never move beyond the binder. The goals are solid, the vision is inspiring, but there’s no one on the team with the Geniuses (or even Competencies) to drive it forward. Or they jump straight from the

big ideas of Ideation to executing tasks — skipping Activation and Implementation entirely — and then are perplexed that nothing seems to stick.

In one case, a client admitted they didn’t have the right people in place to execute their plan. They were relying on individuals with frustrations in both Enablement and Tenacity to carry the load, which meant deadlines were missed, priorities shifted constantly, and the excitement faded fast.

The fix? We helped them identify gaps, assign clear owners, and bring in outside resources to bridge the missing Geniuses. Within a few months, progress picked up and stalled initiatives started moving again.

Practical Tips for Stronger Implementation

If you want your team to excel in the Implementation phase, here are a few steps that can make a big difference:

1. Identify Your Implementers

   Know exactly who on your team has Enablement and Tenacity as Geniuses. Make sure they’re involved in the right projects.

2. Pair Wisely

   Match Enablement with Tenacity for balanced execution. One gets things moving, the other makes sure it’s done right.

3. Protect Your Implementers

   Don’t overload them. Too many simultaneous projects will dilute their impact.

4. Celebrate Completion

   Recognize the finish line, not just the starting line. Implementation deserves its own moment of acknowledgment.

5. Fill Gaps Intentionally

   If you’re missing these Geniuses, get creative — hire, contract, or partner to bring them in.

   
   

From Idea to Impact

Over this series, we’ve looked at all three phases of work through the lens of Working Genius:

• Ideation (Wonder + Invention) — dreaming big and asking the right questions.

• Activation (Discernment + Galvanizing) — choosing the best ideas and rallying people to the cause.

• Implementation (Enablement + Tenacity) — turning the vision into reality and crossing the finish line.

The truth is, no one individual can have all six Geniuses. The most effective teams are those that recognize their strengths, understand their gaps, and build processes and partnerships that fill those gaps.

When you get all three phases working together, your projects move from interesting ideas to real, tangible results. And that’s where the magic happens.

If your organization has big ideas but struggles to bring them to life — or if you’re curious where your team’s strengths and gaps lie, let’s talk. As a Certified Working Genius Consultant, I can help you identify the missing pieces, build the right team dynamics, and move from plan to done.

Want to evaluate your team’s Implementation more thoroughly?

Download our free worksheet here.

Ready to strengthen your Implementation phase?

Let’s talk.Contact us at 

• Phone: 404-850-7957

• Email: info@expertiseinresults.com

About the Author

Patrick Larkin is a seasoned Nonprofit Consultant with over 25 years of leadership experience across various institutions. With a foundation in public horticulture and museum management, he has served on the board of the American Public Gardens Association and as a Peer Reviewer for the American Alliance of Museums. Patrick honed his skills in fundraising, board development, and strategic planning, continually focusing on aligning organizational missions with public needs.