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Drivers · Autonomous
Connection
Belonging, building bonds and being part of a team.
People driven by connection gain energy from bonds: belonging to a group, working together and feeling meaningfully linked to others.
What connection is
Connection corresponds to relatedness, the third basic need in Self-Determination Theory. It is the need to belong, to feel meaningfully linked to others and to care and be cared for. Those with this driver strong are motivated by good relationships at work, by tight-knit teams and by the sense of being part of something; a good atmosphere among people is, for them, a direct source of energy to keep going.
When it's your driver
- You're motivated by being part of a tight-knit team
- Good bonds give you the energy to keep going
- You prefer working together to being isolated
- The atmosphere among people weighs heavily on your motivation
When it's missing
- Isolation and coldness drain your energy
- You miss the sense of belonging or of being seen
- Conflict and hostile environments knock down your motivation
- Working alone for too long empties you out
Don't mix these up · cross them in your Atlas
Connection here is energy: belonging and relating is what recharges you. Don't confuse it with the skill of reading emotions (Empathy, trainable), the principle of caring for others (Benevolence), or the trait of being warm (Agreeableness). You can love being around people and still have low trained empathy — your Atlas crosses that.
How connection shows up in your life
At work and in your career
It shines in collaborative teams, relationship-focused roles and cultures with a good atmosphere — tight-knit teams, joint work, people and care functions. Isolated, competitive or hostile environments feel heavy. It pairs with purpose (a shared cause) and with recognition coming from the group.
How to recharge (what gives you energy)
You recharge with quality togetherness: real collaboration, candid conversations, team rituals, feeling part of it. Cultivating relationships of trust and asking for help when you need it brings the energy back.
When it becomes a trap
It becomes a trap when the need to belong turns into a dependence on approval: avoiding necessary conflict, giving in too much to keep the peace, or erasing your own opinions so as not to stand out from the group.
How to grow
Growing here means balancing belonging and authenticity: keeping your bonds without erasing yourself, saying what you think without fearing exclusion, and learning that some disagreement doesn't break a good relationship.
Careers and settings where this shines ILLUSTRATIVE
People in collaborative teams, relationship-focused roles, HR, care, education and any work centered on people.
What really drives you?
Take the free Drivers test — 30 statements, no sign-up, your result instantly.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I have several strong drivers at once?
Yes. Most people are moved by a combination of drivers, not a single one. The test shows which move you most relative to the others — it's common to have two or three at the top, and that mix is exactly what gives you your motivational signature.
Can my driver change over time?
Yes. Motivation reorganizes with the season of life, the context and the task — you may be moved by one thing at work and another outside it. Treat the result as a snapshot of what lights you up today, not a fixed label.
Is having connection as a low driver bad?
No. No one is moved by everything at once, and no driver is better than another. A low driver simply means it moves you less today — knowing that helps you design work and routine around what actually lights you up.