⚙️ The Tune Up #45: Spot the Genius.

ISSUE #45 | October 5, 2026

Welcome back to The Tune Up, your insider’s playbook with practical tips on how to keep things healthy and productive at work.

We spend a lot of time at work. We should love what we do.

Let's get started.

This week's tune-up:

Not everyone on your team is energized by the same things.

Some people love the big picture thinking.

Others want to roll up their sleeves and get it done.

None of that is right or wrong. It is just different.

When leaders understand how each person on the team naturally and effortlessly approaches their work, we have a much better shot at great work getting done by happier, energized people.

I love a good win-win.

Working Genius is a team assessment that identifies the type of work that energizes each person and the type that drains them. There are six types, and every team needs all of them:

Wonder: the person who always asks "but what if we did it this way?";
Invention: the one who comes up with fresh ideas constantly;
Discernment: the one with strong gut instincts who questions everything before saying yes;
Galvanizing: the one who gets everybody fired up and moving;
Enablement: the person who makes sure everyone has what they need to succeed;
Tenacity: the one who lives for crossing it off the list.

Every person has two Geniuses that light them up and two Frustrations that drain them no matter how hard they try.

What do we do with this? Keep reading ⬇️

This week's TEAM tool:

This week, pay attention to when each person on your team comes alive.

You do not need the assessment to start noticing. Watch for:

Who asks the questions nobody else thought to ask? (Wonder)
Who always has a new idea or a different angle? (Invention)
Who has a gut sense about what will work and is usually right? (Discernment)
Who gets people excited and moving? (Galvanizing)
Who quietly makes sure everyone has what they need? (Enablement)
Who will not let go until the job is done? (Tenacity)

Then do this:

Start paying attention and then say something. A simple "I notice you really come alive when..." goes a long way.
Stop assuming everyone finds the same work energizing. They do not.
Give people more of the work that lights them up when you can.

Try it. Let me know how it goes.

Follow me on Instagram for more tips on happy, healthy teams.

You'll be happy you did.

If this newsletter resonates with you, here are three more ways I can help:

Follow me on LinkedIn or Instagram for bite-sized tips throughout the week (free).
Work with me for 1:1 executive coaching or strategy consulting. Hit reply and I’ll send you a few questions to see if we’re a fit.
Book me as a retreat facilitator or speaker. You won't regret investing in time away from the office to reset. I'd love to work with you. Please reply to this email or email me directly.

I’m a teacher at heart, and love helping people get better at what they do.

Miriam

This email is brought to you by Saddlerock Strategies.

Check out previous issues of The Tune Up here.

If you received this email from a friend and want to subscribe, click here.

You are receiving this email because you have signed up for my newsletter or we have worked together. If you would like to opt-out, no problem.

Saddlerock Rd
Silver Spring, Maryland 20902, United States