The Drivers: How to Use Them to Enhance Your Efficiency and Well-Being Every Day

Drivers are often perceived as limiting injunctions, but each Driver also has positive aspects that, once recognized and well-utilized, can become powerful levers for improving your performance at work.

Today, I invite you to explore the advantages of each of these five Drivers and discover how to effectively integrate them into your professional life.

But before we dive into the benefits these Drivers can bring when we become aware of what they can offer us… what exactly is a Driver?

What is a Driver?

A Driver is an automatic pattern of thought or behavior that we integrated very early in life, often during childhood. These mechanisms are a kind of “internal messages” we adopted to meet the expectations of our environment, whether familial, social, or educational. Although they may have been useful at some point to gain approval or meet external demands, they continue to shape our actions in adulthood, sometimes without our conscious awareness.

In a professional context, Drivers manifest through recurring behaviors that influence how we work, interact with others, and even manage stress. Recognizing them allows us not only to better understand why we act a certain way under pressure but also to adapt them to improve our efficiency and well-being at work.

The first Driver, “Be Perfect,” pushes us to constantly seek perfection, avoid mistakes, and set high expectations for ourselves and others, often at the expense of serenity.

The “People Pleaser” Driver manifests as a need to satisfy everyone, to the point of neglecting one’s own needs, which can lead to fatigue or resentment.

Next, “Be Strong” encourages us to hide our emotions and avoid any form of vulnerability, which can lead to isolation and emotional overload.

The “Make an Effort” Driver incites a belief that everything must be hard and laborious, leading to excessive work and difficulty in relaxing or appreciating our successes.

Finally, “Hurry Up” creates a sense of constant urgency, prompting quick task execution, often at the cost of quality and with a persistent feeling of impatience.

Understanding these Drivers allows us to identify the automatic mechanisms that influence our behaviors and learn to manage them better for a healthier balance between efficiency and well-being.

Now, let’s see how these Drivers can help you in your professional efficiency.

Be Perfect! – Excellence in the Service of Quality 🏆

Excellence is not an accident, it’s a choice. This Driver pushes you to constantly push your limits, to refine every detail and transform quality into an art. Imagine yourself as an artisan of your own life, sculpting each action with precision and passion.

• Advantage: The “Be Perfect!” Driver is synonymous with attention to detail and the pursuit of excellence. People influenced by this Driver tend to produce high-quality work and avoid mistakes.
• How to Use It: In professions where precision is crucial, such as accounting, contract drafting, or managing complex projects, this Driver can be a real asset. For example, as a quality manager, you can use this self-demand to develop rigorous procedures, ensure total compliance with standards, and guarantee an impeccable product or service.
• Concrete Example: A project manager who meticulously checks every detail before submitting a final report to a client. Thanks to this Driver, they avoid errors and strengthen the client’s trust in the reliability of the work provided.

Make an Effort! – Perseverance as a Source of Success 💪

Perseverance is your secret fuel. This Driver reminds you that success is built step by step, that every effort counts, no matter how small. You are an explorer of your potential, transforming obstacles into steps towards your summit.

• Advantage: This Driver embodies perseverance and resilience. Individuals with this Driver are often determined to overcome obstacles and are unafraid of challenges, making them very tenacious in pursuing their goals.
• How to Use It: In work situations where perseverance is essential—such as in sales or developing new markets—this Driver is a valuable ally. It helps you continue even when results are slow to materialize, staying motivated despite initial rejections or failures.
• Concrete Example: A salesperson who continues to proactively follow up with prospects despite several rejections until they finally receive a positive response. This Driver helps them maintain a proactive attitude and never give up.

Be Strong! – Resilience to Face Adversity 🛡️

Your resilience is your shield. This Driver invites you to transform challenges into growth opportunities. You are not defined by what happens to you, but by your ability to bounce back, grow, and reinvent yourself.

• Advantage: The “Be Strong!” Driver encourages self-control and the ability to manage stressful situations without succumbing to panic. It helps you remain calm and focused, even in difficult situations.
• How to Use It: In roles where pressure is high, such as crisis management or leadership positions, this Driver allows you to remain stable and make rational decisions under pressure.
• Concrete Example: A manager who, in the face of a crisis, remains composed, communicates clearly, and assures their team that everything is under control. Their resilience inspires confidence in the team and helps navigate through the storm without panic.

Please Others! – Empathy in the Service of Collaboration 💖

Empathy is your collaborative strength. This Driver connects you to others, making kindness your primary strategy. You create bridges, reconcile perspectives, and transform interactions into enriching human experiences.

• Advantage: This Driver encourages attentiveness to the needs of others and the creation of a harmonious atmosphere. People influenced by this Driver often excel in interpersonal relationships and teamwork.
• How to Use It: In roles requiring cooperation, such as HR, team management, or customer service, this Driver helps you create positive relationships, understand the needs of others, and foster a pleasant work environment.
• Concrete Example: An HR manager who takes the time to listen to employees’ concerns and implements initiatives to improve their well-being at work, thus enhancing team motivation and engagement.

Hurry Up! – Efficiency in the Service of Productivity ⚡

Efficiency is your mantra. This Driver propels you, optimizing every moment, every resource. You are a time conductor, transforming productivity into a dynamic and intentional art of living.

• Advantage: The “Hurry Up!” Driver is associated with a keen sense of urgency and efficiency. Individuals with this Driver are adept at managing their time and can juggle multiple tasks without losing sight of their priorities.
• How to Use It: In environments where rapid execution is key—such as startups, fast-paced settings, or project management—this Driver allows you to maintain a sustained pace and achieve your objectives on time.
• Concrete Example: A project manager juggling multiple files simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines. Thanks to this Driver, they can optimize their schedule, make quick decisions, and ensure projects progress without delay.

In Conclusion: Transform Your Drivers into Professional Assets

Drivers are not just constraints; they are resources you can leverage to boost your career.

By becoming aware of their advantages and using them wisely, you can transform these internal injunctions into engines of success. The secret lies in balance: recognizing when these Drivers serve you and knowing how to adjust them when they become overwhelming.

And you, which Drivers do you use to succeed in your daily work?