Individuals with a “people” motivation are naturally social, outgoing, and relationship-focused. They tend to thrive in roles that involve connecting with others, such as teaching, sales, public relations, or caregiving.

These individuals are drawn to the human side of any situation. You may have met someone deeply knowledgeable but disconnected from others—like a brilliant but distracted professor who forgets class times. That’s an example of someone high in information preference but low in people motivation.

Those with a people-centered approach enjoy conversations and often talk about others (sometimes leading to gossip). They may dislike being alone and usually highlight the social aspects of any experience. For instance, they might choose a device like an iPad primarily for staying connected with friends rather than its technical features.

When sharing stories, they’re likely to say something like, “I was sitting next to this fascinating little 5-year-old at the restaurant, and she was telling me what it’s like to be an only child.”