In his book Drive, Daniel Pink identifies three core drivers that motivate us as humans: mastery, purpose and autonomy. I’ve seen just how important autonomy is through my work with dental teams—when people have the freedom to take ownership of their roles, their confidence, engagement, and performance often thrive. But, is autonomy alone enough to create lasting fulfilment?
I was reminded of this recently while listening to an episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast, hosted by Steven Bartlett. Behavioural psychologist Dr Bill von Hippel shared something that stuck with me: while autonomy is essential, too much of it can lead to disconnection and isolation and, ultimately, suffering. True fulfilment, he explained, comes when autonomy is balanced with connection – the relationships that bring us support, joy, and a sense of belonging. When we have both, life feels richer, more meaningful, and more complete.
This idea resonates with something Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said recently, that while many of us spend our days chasing happiness, a more fulfilling approach is to focus on how we can contribute to others. It’s a simple but powerful shift in perspective. Just like a healthy turnover is the result of getting the right things in place—like recruiting the right people, delivering exceptional patient care and communicating well—happiness is often the result of focusing on the things that truly matter: contributing to and connecting with the people around us.
It also makes me think differently about the idea of self-care. Some think of self-care as something we do alone – taking time to recharge, unwind or reflect. And while that’s important, I think we sometimes overlook how restorative connection can be. Laughing with friends, leaning on a loved one, supporting a colleague or simply feeling seen and understood by someone else – these moments can fill us up and help us feel whole in ways that solitude can’t.
So, as you move through your day – whether at work, at home or out in the world – consider this: How can you show up for the people around you? How can you nurture the relationships that bring meaning to your life? And, how can you use your skills, strengths and time to make a positive impact on someone else? Sometimes, it’s the simplest acts of connection and contribution that create the biggest ripple effects – bringing not just greater fulfilment to you, but also to the people whose lives you touch.
Because in the end, happiness isn’t something we find by chasing it. It’s something that naturally follows when we focus on living with purpose, showing up for others and nurturing the connections that make life richer.