The Working Genius of Galvanizing: Understanding the People Who Get Everyone On Board

“Awesome, let’s do this!”

This week, we’ve come to the “G” in the Working Genius term WIDGET, which stands for Galvanizing.

I love this one. Once I understood this phase of a project, I began to see it everywhere, and it cleared up some things for me.

Someone with the Working Genius of Galvanizing is naturally gifted at rallying the troops, creating momentum, and getting others to buy in. These are often the people who get energized when everyone else is still deciding whether they want to participate.

It might sound like:

· "Alright, here’s the plan...let’s go!"

· "Awesome! Here’s what we’re going to do next."

· "We need to have this ready next week. Let’s get everyone moving."

When I think of people who gain energy from Galvanizing, I picture coaches, teachers, speakers, personal trainers, people who raise funds for nonprofits, spiritual leaders, community leaders, event planners, and—my big aha—people in sales.

Of course someone who becomes energized by sales is going to have a gift for getting others on board! That makes complete sense.

On the flip side, what about those of us who are running businesses, producing beautiful things, or have brilliant ideas to pitch to someone else, but have Galvanizing as a Working Frustration (or maybe even a Competency)?

(Where my peeps at?)

Here’s where this can become a boundary issue.

Sometimes we assume we should be equally good at every phase of a project, and then we judge ourselves when we're not.

If you are really hard on yourself because you struggle to "sell," can you see how the issue might not be that you're simply not practiced enough, confident enough, or working hard enough?

Might it be that, based on your natural gifts and talents, selling—or getting other people excited enough to back your product, service, or idea—is simply a bit more uphill for you?

Now, am I saying that you never have to galvanize anyone again? Um, no.

And am I saying that a little more compassion and understanding might help you figure out ways to make certain parts of your business—and your life—easier? Why, yes I am.

So, take a moment and think about the people in your life—family, friends, coworkers, partners.

Who pops out as someone who definitely gets energy from getting people moving toward the same goal?

Maybe it’s that friend who suggested you all participate in a Murder Mystery dinner—costumes and all. You think, "What????" Two weeks later, you're ringing their doorbell holding a brioche appetizer while wearing a flapper dress and feather boa.

Or perhaps it’s that family member who somehow manages to host a family reunion every year—and get mostly everyone there—even though the original plan was every three years. 😄

It could be that coworker who, with a deadline only two days away and everyone else convinced there is no way you'll pull it off, somehow pumps everyone up enough to keep going.

Or the extremely active volunteer—you know the one—who convinced you to stand behind a booth selling tickets for the latest community fundraiser. And you feel like you have no one to blame but yourself. 🤦‍♀️

We need the Galvanizers.

Again, I say: every single Genius is valuable and necessary.

And if Galvanizing (or sales) is not one of your Working Geniuses, seek out someone who appears to have it. Get advice. Swap tasks. Bring them into your business—even in a small way.

Getting support to fill those gaps can make a world of difference for your sanity, your energy, and your joy.

Not sure if you have the gift of Galvanizing?

You can go here to find out.

Understanding how you're naturally wired doesn't give you an excuse. It gives you more options.