Tony Robbins’ Six Human Needs and Rethinking Independence for Disabled Professionals and Business Owners

Let’s talk about independence. It’s often seen as the ultimate goal, right? Especially in the workplace or when running your own business. But what if I told you that, for disabled professionals and business owners, chasing independence at all costs could be holding you back?

By refusing or avoiding support, you might unintentionally limit your career or entrepreneurial growth and miss out on some amazing opportunities.

This usually stems from a common misconception: that independence equals self-reliance. But real independence? It’s about having the freedom to thrive, and sometimes that means embracing support. Tony Robbins’ Six Human Needs — certainty, variety, significance, love/connection, growth, and contribution — help us see why interdependence might just be the key to unlocking your full potential.

“When I first started up in my business I believed that because of my disability,  I had to prove myself and because of this mindset tried with varying degrees of success to do everything for myself – a big mistake”.

Certainty: Building a Stable Foundation for Your Career or Business

Here’s the deal: certainty is crucial for success, whether you’re climbing the career ladder or running a business. If you’re rejecting helpful tools, accommodations, or partnerships just to prove you can do it all on your own, you might be making things unnecessarily hard for yourself.

Take assistive technologies, for example.   If you’re avoiding them to keep up appearances, you’re missing out on tools that could make your work or business operations easier and more effective. True independence isn’t about doing everything alone; it’s about creating a stable, reliable foundation so you can focus on what really matters.

Variety: Opening the Door to New Opportunities

Let’s be honest: sticking to self-reliance can sometimes make life… a bit boring. Growth comes from variety, from trying new things and exploring opportunities — and often, that means asking for a little help.

Think about attending an industry conference or expanding your business into a new market. It might be tough to navigate solo, but with support, you could meet new people, learn new skills, and open doors to future possibilities. Real independence is about having the freedom to experience life to the fullest, even if that means leaning on others sometimes.

Significance: Being Valued for Your True Strengths

We all want to feel valued, right? But here’s the catch: trying to prove your worth by doing everything independently can backfire. It might even lead to frustration when others don’t notice your effort.

The truth is, working collaboratively often highlights your strengths even more. When you share responsibilities, your unique contributions stand out. Whether you’re leading a team or running a business, collaboration can help others see the value you bring to the table.

Love and Connection: Building Relationships That Matter

Career and business success aren’t just about the work you do; they’re also about the people you connect with along the way. But if you’re stuck on proving your independence, you might miss out on building those meaningful professional relationships.

Accepting help doesn’t make you weak; it’s how you build trust and collaboration. Whether it’s a mentor, a manager, or a client, those connections can lead to opportunities you wouldn’t have had otherwise. Connection isn’t dependence — it’s a strength.

Growth: Unlocking Your Full Potential

Here’s a hard truth: growth doesn’t happen in isolation. If you’re avoiding help because you think it makes you look more independent, you’re likely holding yourself back.

Let’s say you want to take on a leadership role or scale your business. Maybe you need accommodations, mentorship, or a supportive team to get there. That’s not a weakness; it’s a smart move. Growth is about expanding your horizons and reaching your potential, and support can help you get there faster.

Contribution: Making a Bigger Impact

At the end of the day, we all want to contribute something meaningful. But if you’re spending all your energy proving you can do it alone, you might not have much left to give.

By working with others and accepting support, you can amplify your impact. Whether it’s leading a project, advocating for change, or growing your business to serve more customers, collaboration helps you make a bigger difference. True independence means having the freedom to focus on what really matters.

Redefining Independence: It’s About Empowerment, Not Isolation

So, let’s rethink what independence really means. It’s not about doing everything alone or proving you don’t need help. True independence is about having the freedom to make empowered choices and achieve your goals, and that often involves support from others.

Tony Robbins’ Six Human Needs remind us that certainty, variety, significance, connection, growth, and contribution are all better achieved through interdependence. When you embrace support, you’re not just helping yourself — you’re creating a path for greater success and fulfillment.

In the workplace or in business, valuing interdependence fosters a culture where everyone can thrive. Strength doesn’t come from isolation; it comes from partnership. True independence? It’s about achieving together what would be impossible alone.

Find out more about Chris Catt’s work here.