What Truly Drives You

Have you ever found yourself dragging your feet to work... even in a role you once loved?

Have you noticed your level of engagement slowly declining, even though your responsibilities haven't changed all that much?

Or wondered why certain projects leave you feeling energized and fulfilled, while others—equally important—feel like they drain every ounce of energy from you?

In today's world, it's easy to blame the pace of work, endless meetings, constant change, competing priorities, uncertainty, or simply the demands of life. And while those are certainly real challenges, they may not tell the whole story.

Sometimes, the issue isn't how much work we're doing.

It's how much of that work aligns with what naturally drives us.

Because while we often spend time trying to become more productive, more resilient, or more efficient, we rarely stop to ask a much more important question:

What Truly Drives Us?

According to the TTI Success Insights® 12 Driving Forces® framework, our drivers help explain why we do what we do. They influence where we naturally invest our time, attention, and energy. They shape what gives us a sense of fulfillment, what captures our interest, and why two people can experience the exact same role in completely different ways.

The framework is organized around six core factors, each with two contrasting drivers. Rather than putting people into boxes, it provides a language for understanding the different ways we find meaning, engagement, and energy in our work.

As you read through them, don't worry about deciding which one you are. Most of us will likely recognize ourselves in several of these descriptions. Instead, notice which ones feel most familiar—and ask yourself whether those sources of energy are present in your work today.

The Different Driving Forces

Learning or Applying? (Knowledge: Intellectual / Instinctive)

Some people are energized by continuously learning. They enjoy asking questions, researching, exploring new ideas, and deepening their expertise. Growth itself is rewarding, and they often seek opportunities to expand their knowledge simply because they enjoy learning. When those opportunities disappear, they may begin to feel stagnant or disconnected from their work. (Intellectual)

Others find their energy in applying what they already know. They trust experience, enjoy making decisions, and feel most fulfilled when they can turn ideas into action. While they value learning, they don't want to stay in analysis forever—they're ready to move forward. When they're unable to act or are constantly second-guessed, their enthusiasm can begin to fade. (Instinctive)

Pause & Reflect: Which of these descriptions feels more familiar—and does your current role allow you to learn, apply, or perhaps both in the way that energizes you most?

Practical Results or Meaningful Impact? (Utility: Resourceful / Selfless)

Some people are energized by creating value. They naturally look for ways to improve efficiency, maximize resources, and generate meaningful results. Seeing the return on their efforts motivates them and reinforces that their work is making a difference. (Resourceful)

Others are energized simply by contributing. They willingly give their time, knowledge, and support because helping accomplish the work is rewarding in itself. They're often the people who quietly step in wherever they're needed, finding satisfaction in serving the greater good rather than focusing on personal return. (Selfless)

Pause & Reflect: When you think about your work today, what gives you the greatest sense of satisfaction—and are you experiencing enough of it?

Function or Experience? (Surroundings: Objective / Harmonious)

Some people are energized by function. They naturally focus on practicality, efficiency, and making sure things work well. They often see opportunities to simplify, improve, or create solutions that make work more effective. (Objective)

Others are energized by the experience itself. They appreciate beauty, creativity, balance, and environments that feel welcoming and inspiring. The atmosphere around them isn't simply "nice to have"—it plays an important role in how engaged and creative they feel each day. (Harmonious)

Pause & Reflect: Does your current environment support the conditions that help you do your best work?

Strategic Support or Helping Others? (Others: Intentional / Altruistic)

Some people are energized by helping others strategically. They enjoy supporting people in ways that create meaningful, lasting impact while thoughtfully balancing their own priorities and responsibilities. Their generosity is intentional, and they often ask themselves where they can make the greatest difference. (Intentional)

Others are energized simply by serving. Mentoring, coaching, encouraging, and helping others succeed naturally brings them joy. They rarely need recognition for their efforts because seeing someone else thrive is often reward enough. (Altruistic)

Pause & Reflect: In your current role, do you have opportunities to contribute to others in ways that genuinely energize you?

Collaboration or Influence? (Power: Collaborative / Commanding)

Some people gain energy by bringing people together. They enjoy building partnerships, encouraging participation, and creating success through collaboration. Shared ownership and collective achievement are often what motivates them most. (Collaborative)

Others are energized by leading the way. They enjoy influencing direction, making decisions, accepting responsibility, and moving initiatives forward. Having the opportunity to shape outcomes is often one of their greatest sources of engagement. (Commanding)

Pause & Reflect: Does your current role allow you to contribute in the way that naturally brings out your best?

Flexibility or Structure? (Methodologies: Receptive / Structured)

Some people are energized by possibilities. They enjoy exploring new ideas, questioning assumptions, experimenting, and adapting as circumstances change. Variety and innovation keep them engaged and excited about what's next. (Receptive)

Others are energized by structure. Clear expectations, proven processes, and consistency provide the stability they need to perform at their best. They appreciate knowing what success looks like and creating reliable systems that help everyone succeed. (Structured)

Pause & Reflect: Does your current work provide the balance of flexibility and structure that allows you to thrive?

When Awareness Changes Everything

As you reflected on these different drivers, perhaps one or two immediately stood out.

Maybe you thought,

"That's exactly me."

Or perhaps something else happened.

Maybe you realized that one of the things that naturally energizes you has quietly disappeared from your work.

The opportunity to keep learning.

The ability to lead.

The chance to collaborate.

The freedom to innovate.

The satisfaction of serving others.

The clarity that comes from structure.

When the things that naturally fuel us are consistently absent, work can begin to feel heavier. Not necessarily because we've changed—but because the environment around us no longer supports what brings out our best.

That awareness alone can be transformational.

Because once we understand what truly drives us, we can begin making more intentional decisions—not only about our careers, but also about how we lead, collaborate, communicate, and create environments where both we and those around us can thrive.

So before assuming you've simply lost your passion for your work, pause and ask yourself a different question:

How often does my work allow me to tap into what naturally drives me?

Sometimes, that one question changes everything

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Curious About Your Own Driving Forces?

The TTI Success Insights® 12 Driving Forces® Assessment provides a personalized view of what naturally motivates and energizes you, helping you better understand the conditions where you're most engaged, fulfilled, and effective.

Whether you're navigating a career transition, growing as a leader, or simply looking to reconnect with what brings out your best, understanding your drivers can provide powerful insight into the choices you make and the environments where you're most likely to thrive.

If you're curious to discover your own Driving Forces profile, I'd love to guide you through the assessment and a personalized debrief. Sometimes, your next breakthrough begins with understanding what has been driving you all along.

Schedule a call today to learn more

Topics: Drivers, Motivation, Performance

Ilhiana Rojas is a Human Potential Expert, Executive & Leadership Coach, and founder of BeLIVE Coaching & Consulting.

A former Fortune 500 executive with more than 20 years of global leadership experience, she empowers professionals and teams to lead with intention, strengthen their presence, and unlock their full potential.  Through her signature frameworks, coaching programs, and workshops, Ilhiana helps leaders elevate communication, deepen trust, and navigate their careers with clarity and purpose.