What really drives you at work?
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
Over the past 20 years as an employment lawyer, I’ve (generally!) really enjoyed what I do.
I’ve found it very satisfying helping people solve problems at work, especially when I can make someone’s working life easier or fairer.
Looking back, the times I’ve been happiest in my career have almost always had one thing in common: I’ve felt connected to my clients and proud of the impact I’ve made. Whether it’s obtaining a clarification of the law in a previously untested area or resolving a difficult workplace issue, what mattered most to me was knowing I’ve made a positive difference.
Reflecting on our Female Lawyers’ Club masterclass last week, I realised that what drives me most are the human needs of Connection and Contribution: building relationships that matter, and using my skills to help others thrive.
In case you’re not aware, our Female Lawyers’ Club masterclasses are monthly expert-led sessions designed to help women in law grow their confidence, balance and career fulfilment. Each one is led by an inspiring speaker who brings new perspectives and practical strategies.
Last week’s session was led by Gemma Easdon, a certified high-performance coach and creator of the Realise to Rise framework. She introduced us to the 6 Human Needs that drive everything we do:
Certainty
Variety
Significance
Connection
Growth
Contribution
This framework, first developed by Tony Robbins, is based on the idea that every human being has these six fundamental needs, but we each prioritise them differently. Understanding which needs are driving us right now can completely change how we approach our work, relationships and goals.
Most of us, Gemma explained, are primarily driven by two core needs. These two tend to influence the majority of our decisions and behaviours, especially under pressure.
For example, if your top need is certainty, you might crave structure, predictability and control, which can make the unpredictability of certain types of legal work stressful. If you’re driven by significance, you might be motivated by achievement and excellence, but also feel pressure to prove your worth or be seen as successful which, over time, can lead to exhaustion or self-criticism.
Gemma encouraged us to look at the list and ask ourselves:
👉 Which two needs are driving me most right now?
👉 Are they helping me, or holding me back?
When we meet our core needs consciously, we experience more fulfilment, balance and motivation. Peak performance doesn’t come from striving harder; it comes from aligning what we do with who we are.
How this applies to life in law
As lawyers, we often work in environments that reward certainty, control and achievement. But when those needs dominate for too long, we can lose our sense of connection, growth or contribution - the very things that make our work feel meaningful.
Recognising which needs are out of balance can help us make small but powerful changes:
If you’re craving variety, try exploring a new area of law or mentoring someone younger.
If you’re lacking connection, make time for genuine conversations rather than just transactional ones.
If you’re longing for growth, invest in your own development, whether in work or out of it.
By becoming more aware of our needs, we can build careers that truly support us, not just drain us.
It was a powerful reminder that our motivation isn’t random - it’s rooted in our deepest psychological needs. And once we understand them, we can lead, practise and live with far more intention.
To get the replay of this session, and to join future masterclasses like this one, you can join Female Lawyers’ Club via the button below.
Enjoy the rest of your week,
Rachel