7 Universal life requirements
What We’re All Really Looking For (Even If We Don’t Talk About It)
One of the most rewarding things about my work is helping people connect the dots — in their teams, in their sales, in their leadership… and sometimes, in themselves.
Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of leaders, teams, and individuals. Different industries, different roles, different goals. And yet underneath it all, I started to see a common thread.
There are certain needs we all share as human beings — regardless of our job title or postcode.
When we have them met, we thrive. When we don’t, something always feels… off.
That’s what led to the creation of the 7 Universal Life Requirements.
Let me explain.
Use This With Your Team
(Or Yourself)
- Sales Leaders: Ask yourself which of these your team members are getting… and which they’re not.
- Coaches: These 7 needs are a powerful diagnostic in any 1:1 or group conversation.
- Humans: Ask where you might need to refuel — then do something small to shift it.
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👉 Let’s talk about how to apply this in your business.
These Aren’t Just “Nice to Haves” — They’re Human Essentials
We use the acronym ADDICTS to capture them — because once people experience all seven being met, they’ll do anything to keep that feeling alive.
Here they are:
A – Absolutes
We all need a sense of certainty. Knowing there’s food on the table, that our work is valued, or that someone’s got our back — it matters. Especially in uncertain times.
D – Diversity
As much as we crave certainty, we also need variety. The new, the different, the unknown — they wake us up and keep us engaged.
D – Development
Growth isn’t optional. Whether it’s learning, being stretched, or trying something new, we need to feel like we’re evolving.
I’ve seen it so often — someone leaves a job not because they hate it, but because they’re not growing anymore.
I – Importance
We all want to feel like we matter. To be seen, acknowledged, and appreciated. That feeling of significance is a core driver in both life and leadership.
C – Connection
Humans are wired for belonging. Whether it’s with a team, a cause, a partner or a community — we all want to feel connected and accepted.
T – Trust (or Faith)
Not necessarily in a religious sense — but in something bigger. Direction. Leadership. A belief that things are moving toward something meaningful.
S – Serving Others
I’ve come to realise this one is often overlooked. But when we contribute to something beyond ourselves, a deeper kind of fulfilment shows up.
Even at our busiest, we feel more grounded when we give back.
A Quick Personal Note…
There’ve been moments in my own journey where some of these were missing — and I couldn’t figure out why I felt out of sync.
Now I use this model as a kind of personal dashboard.
When I’m off-track, I check which needs I might’ve been ignoring.
It always brings clarity.
