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12 Driving Forces™ — The Psychometric Tool to Assess Motivators
Two people in the same role can perform very differently. For that reason, Synergogy's 12 Driving Forces is the leading Psychometric Tool to Assess Motivators — the deep, internal drivers that shape every workplace decision. As a Psychometric Tool to Assess Motivators, it answers not what people do, but why they do it. Furthermore, this powerful Values Assessment, developed by TTI Success Insights, sits alongside DISC to complete the behavioural picture — and as a Values Assessment, it ranks 12 distinct drivers across six master axes. Moreover, the same instrument doubles as a Psychometric Tool to Assess Drive in hiring, leadership and role design, and as a Psychometric Tool to Assess Engagement in retention, team motivation and reward decisions. Importantly, leaders rely on the Psychometric Tool to Assess Drive to match candidates to real role energy, while the Psychometric Tool to Assess Engagement reveals why high performers quietly disengage. Built on Eduard Spranger's foundational research, this Psychometric Tool to Assess Motivators is the values assessment that answers one deceptively simple question — why do people behave the way they behave? Consequently, by revealing why people behave the way they behave, the report turns motivation from guesswork into a clear, evidence-led conversation.
The science
A Values Assessment That Explains Why People Behave the Way They Behave
This Values Assessment was born from real academic research. In 1928, the German philosopher Eduard Spranger published Types of Men, identifying six core attitudes that shape what people value. Decades later, TTI Success Insights evolved that framework into two opposing drivers per attitude — producing the modern Values Assessment now used by leaders worldwide.
Why Motivators, Not Just Behaviours
Behavioural tools such as DISC explain how a person acts. By contrast, this Values Assessment explains why they act that way. Consequently, leaders can read both the surface behaviour and the deeper driver behind it.
From Six Attitudes to Twelve Drivers
Each of the six master motivators expresses itself through two opposing approaches. Therefore, where a traditional Values Assessment offers six points of insight, the 12 Driving Forces offers twelve — with the nuance of opposing pulls and the precision of ranking by intensity.
The framework
The Psychometric Tool to Assess Motivators: Six Master Axes, Twelve Drivers
As a Psychometric Tool to Assess Motivators, the 12 Driving Forces is structured around six master axes. Furthermore, each axis splits into two opposing drivers, giving twelve in total. Importantly, the framework does not judge drivers as "good" or "bad" — instead, it simply names them.
Knowledge
Intellectual
Driven to learn through data, research and the discovery of what is true.
Instinctive
Driven to act through experience, intuition and trusted gut feel.
Utility
Resourceful
Driven by practical return, efficiency and the smart use of resources.
Selfless
Driven to complete the task for its own sake, without expectation of return.
Surroundings
Harmonious
Driven by balance, beauty and form in personal and work surroundings.
Objective
Driven by function, utility and whether the environment simply works.
Others
Altruistic
Driven to help others because helping is its own reward.
Intentional
Driven to help others with a clear, specific purpose in mind.
Power
Commanding
Driven by status, control and visible personal recognition.
Collaborative
Driven by shared success, with little need for individual credit.
Methodologies
Receptive
Driven by openness to new ideas, methods and possibilities.
Structured
Driven to live by, defend and apply a tested system or approach.
12 Driving Forces™ is a registered trademark of TTI Success Insights. Synergogy delivers the assessment as an authorised TTI partner. For the original framework, see TTI's 12 Driving Forces™ page.
Applications — drive
A Psychometric Tool to Assess Drive Across the Talent Lifecycle
As a Psychometric Tool to Assess Drive, 12 Driving Forces becomes immediately practical the moment a leader holds the report. Therefore, the same instrument supports decisions across hiring, development and day-to-day management.
Hiring with Confidence
Match a candidate's primary drivers to the energy a role really demands. Consequently, hires arrive with the inner fuel the job needs.
Leadership Coaching
Coach leaders against their actual motivators, not generic frameworks. As a result, growth feels authentic rather than imposed.
Role and Job Crafting
Shape responsibilities so they tap a person's primary drivers. Therefore, performance lifts without changing the person.
Stress and Energy Diagnosis
Pinpoint where work clashes with someone's drivers. Furthermore, surface why a high-performer suddenly looks burnt out.
Performance Acceleration
Place people where their drivers are most needed. In turn, raw effort converts into visible business impact.
Career and Succession Planning
Plan futures that match deep, lasting drives. Consequently, succession choices stick rather than unravel.
For best results, this Psychometric Tool to Assess Drive is combined with our DISC Assessment and DNA®25 Competency Assessment — giving leaders the complete how, why and what of every person.
Applications — engagement
A Psychometric Tool to Assess Engagement and Retention
Engagement is rarely about salary or perks alone. Instead, it is the match between what energises a person and what their role demands. As a Psychometric Tool to Assess Engagement, the 12 Driving Forces makes that match visible — before it shows up as disengagement, quiet quitting or attrition.
When Drivers Align, Engagement Soars
People in roles that tap their primary drivers describe work as flow. Consequently, they bring energy, ideas and discretionary effort without anyone needing to ask.
When Drivers Misalign, Disengagement Follows
Mismatched roles drain energy even when the work is "fine". Furthermore, this drift often shows up as falling output, reduced initiative or quiet resignation long before someone speaks up.
Smarter Reward and Recognition
Some people are recharged by recognition; others by quiet impact. Therefore, this Psychometric Tool to Assess Engagement helps managers reward in ways that actually land.
Healthier Team Dynamics
Teams with mixed drivers can either clash or complement. As a result, the assessment guides team composition, role allocation and conflict resolution with confidence.
Furthermore, the engagement insight pairs naturally with multi-rater data from our 360° Feedback Tool and the change-readiness lens of our Adaptability Quotient.
The outcome
Why People Behave the Way They Behave — And What to Do About It
Knowing why people behave the way they behave is the single biggest unlock in leadership. Consequently, the 12 Driving Forces report changes day-to-day conversations — coaching, feedback, role design and team meetings all become sharper.
- Better hiring, because candidate drivers are matched to real role energy.
- Lower attrition, since early disengagement signals become visible.
- Stronger engagement and discretionary effort across teams.
- More authentic leadership, grounded in self-awareness.
- Healthier team dynamics through complementary, not clashing, drivers.
- Smarter role design that lifts performance without changing the person.
Motivator insight is most powerful when it sits inside a wider talent system. Therefore, Synergogy connects every 12 Driving Forces engagement to our EQ Assessment and our wider Assessments suite.
In addition, our Leadership Development journeys and Coaching Skills for Managers programme equip leaders to act on the insight, week after week.
Why Synergogy
Motivator Expertise You Can Trust
Synergogy has delivered the 12 Driving Forces across 500+ organisations and 23+ industries. Therefore, our consultants do more than administer the assessment — they interpret it inside the realities of your business.
Authorised TTI Success Insights Partner
We deliver the 12 Driving Forces as an authorised TTI Success Insights partner, with full access to the research, science and tools behind the instrument.
An Integrated Assessment Suite
Pair 12 Driving Forces with our DISC, EQ and DNA®25 for a complete picture of how, why and what.
Consultant-Led Debriefs
Every assessment is paired with an expert debrief. As a result, the report becomes a clear, actionable conversation rather than a PDF sitting in a drawer.
Global, Multi-Lingual Delivery
With 24x7 operations and delivery in several languages, Synergogy supports motivator-led programmes wherever your teams sit.
Questions answered
12 Driving Forces FAQs
What is the 12 Driving Forces assessment?
12 Driving Forces is a psychometric tool that measures motivators — the deep, internal drivers behind why someone acts as they do at work. Built on Eduard Spranger's research and developed by TTI Success Insights, it ranks 12 distinct drivers across six master motivators. Consequently, leaders gain a clear picture of what energises a person and what drains them.
How is 12 Driving Forces different from DISC?
DISC measures how people behave — their observable communication and decision-making style. By contrast, 12 Driving Forces measures why they behave that way — the underlying values and motivators. As a result, using both together gives the fullest, most actionable picture of any person.
What does the 12 Driving Forces report tell me?
The report ranks all twelve drivers from most to least important to the individual. Furthermore, it highlights primary drivers (what energises the person), situational drivers (used when needed) and indifferent drivers (where they invest very little). Consequently, the insight is immediately practical for coaching, role design and team building.
How long does the assessment take?
The online assessment takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Afterwards, a comprehensive report is generated within minutes. A guided debrief with a certified Synergogy consultant is then scheduled to turn the insight into action.
Who should take the 12 Driving Forces assessment?
Anyone whose role depends on motivation, energy or sustained focus benefits — from frontline staff to senior leaders. Moreover, it works equally well for individuals, intact teams and across whole departments where engagement and retention matter.
Discover What Truly Drives Your People
Book a 30-minute consultation. We will recommend the right way to use the 12 Driving Forces in your context — with no obligation.
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