By Sénamé Agbossou Three years into my coaching practice, I started noticing something fascinating. Despite working with leaders across different industries, company sizes, and cultural backgrounds, the same patterns kept emerging. At first, I dismissed it as coincidence. Then the pattern became undeniable. The Discovery That Changed Everything It began with simple observation. I noticed that certain leaders thrived in chaos while others craved structure. Some were energized by people and relationships, others by problems and analysis. Some loved painting the big picture, others found energy in perfecting the details. Initially, I attributed these differences to personality or learned preferences. But over 25 years of working with hundreds of leaders across Europe and Africa, I discovered something more fundamental: there are exactly five work energy patterns that show up again and again. This wasn't random. These patterns were so consistent that I could predict what would energize or drain a leader within the first hour of working together. Beyond Personality: Understanding Energy Here's what makes work energy different from personality assessments: personality tells you how you prefer to interact with the world. Energy reveals what actually fuels or depletes you during the act of working. You might be introverted by personality but energized by collaborative work (Connector energy). You might be detail-oriented by nature but drained by systematic execution (Explorer energy trapped in Builder work). Your work energy patterns determine: What kind of projects light you up versus wear you down Which leadership challenges feel exciting versus overwhelming How you naturally approach problems and make decisions What work environments help you thrive versus survive Why certain roles feel effortless while others exhaust you The Five Work Energy Types After 25 years of pattern recognition, here are the five distinct work energy types I've identified: The Explorer Core Drive: Innovation and breakthrough thinkingNatural Energy Sources: Variety, experimentation, cutting-edge challenges, creating something newEnergy Drains: Routine maintenance, rigid processes, repetitive tasks, "the way we've always done it" Explorers are the visionaries and innovators. They see possibilities where others see problems. They thrive on the edge of what's known and proven. The Builder Core Drive: Creating systems and turning visions into realityNatural Energy Sources: Structured execution, process improvement, building lasting foundations, systematic progressEnergy Drains: Constant pivoting, unclear direction, chaotic environments, starting without finishing Builders are the architects of sustainable success. They love taking abstract ideas and creating concrete, workable systems that stand the test of time. The Connector Core Drive: Bringing people together for collaborative successNatural Energy Sources: Team dynamics, relationship building, inclusive environments, facilitating collaborationEnergy Drains: Working in isolation, interpersonal conflict, impersonal task focus, competitive environments Connectors are the heart of high-performing teams. They understand that we rise by lifting others, embodying the Ubuntu principle that we are all interconnected. The Driver Core Drive: Pushing through obstacles to deliver resultsNatural Energy Sources: Clear targets, competitive challenges, fast-paced execution, overcoming resistanceEnergy Drains: Analysis paralysis, consensus building, slow decision-making, ambiguous goals Drivers are the momentum creators. They cut through complexity to focus on what matters…