'results-driven' is a compound adjective formed from 'results' and 'driven'. 'Results' originates from the Latin word 'resultare', meaning 'to spring back', and 'driven' is the past participle of 'drive', which comes from the Old English 'drīfan', meaning 'to force to move'.

'Results-driven' evolved as a modern business term emphasizing the importance of achieving outcomes.

Initially, 'driven' meant 'propelled or motivated', but in this context, it evolved to emphasize a focus on achieving results.