Is it always good to be in the zone?
"Flow state."
"Superpowers."
"Zone of genius."
These phrases show up everywhere in leadership and performance circles. And honestly, who doesn’t want to feel fully alive, effortlessly productive, and uniquely brilliant in their work?
But what if being “in the zone” isn’t always what we think it is? What if the place where most professionals spend their time is not where they do their best work?
Not All Zones Are Created Equal
Psychologist and author Gay Hendricks identifies four distinct zones we operate from:
Zone of Incompetence
These are tasks you’re simply not good at. You can try to improve them, but they’ll likely never energize you or lead to meaningful contribution.Zone of Competence
You can do these tasks just fine, but so can many others. They’re often routine and uninspiring, but they keep things moving.Zone of Excellence
These are your high-performance areas. You’ve built skill and reputation here, and your company probably depends on this output. You might even be praised constantly for it.Zone of Genius
This is where you come alive. It’s the work that feels effortless, energizing, and impactful. It’s often deeply tied to your identity and purpose. This is the zone that unlocks not just performance, but fulfillment.
Why So Many Leaders Get Stuck
Here’s the catch.
Most professionals get stuck in their Zone of Excellence.
It feels safe. It gets results. But over time, it starts to feel like a ceiling. You’re “in the zone” but not in your zone of genius. You may feel the itch for something more, even if you can’t name it.
By the time many leaders hit their 40s, this quiet yearning starts to grow louder. The challenge is, moving from excellence to genius isn’t a skills issue. It’s a courage issue.
The Courage to Step Into Genius
You can’t discover your zone of genius without letting go of what’s comfortable. It requires authenticity, self-reflection, and sometimes a full re-evaluation of what you say yes to.
One of my mentors uses a powerful filter for making decisions. Before taking on a new task, he asks:
Is it simple?
Is it effortless?
Is it fun?
If it’s not at least two out of three, he passes.
That filter isn’t about being lazy. It’s about honoring your best energy and protecting your creative flow. It’s about designing your leadership from the inside out.
Where Are You Operating From?
Take a moment to reflect:
What zone are you spending most of your time in right now?
What kinds of work drain you, even if you’re good at them?
What activities feel light, purposeful, and creatively rich?
These aren’t just productivity questions. They’re alignment questions.
Final Thought
Your zone of genius isn’t something you achieve through effort.
It’s something you uncover through awareness and choice.
To get there, you’ll need to let go of what’s merely excellent so you can step into what’s deeply true.
Want some support with that?
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