In this episode, we dive into how our core values, passions, and personality quirks team up to fuel what drives us—from Schwartz’s universal values circle shaping our life compass and moral judgments (Schwartz, 1992) to the power of trait-like interests that reliably predict career success and satisfaction (Rounds & Su, 2014). You’ll also learn why distinguishing learned values (“ought” ideals) from innate traits can transform goal-setting strategies and why those stable, contextual interests often outpace personality in forecasting long-term performance. For coaches and curious minds alike, mastering these psychological building blocks isn’t just academic—it’s the secret sauce for crafting meaningful growth journeys in an ever-changing world.