SDT Motivation Profile
Measure how well your work fulfills your needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness
Why It Matters
Motivation need fulfillment predicts 65% of job satisfaction and performance
Understanding what you need at work enables better job choice and negotiation
Leaders who enable all three needs create 3x higher engagement in teams
What You'll Discover
• How much autonomy (choice and control) your work provides
• How much competence growth (mastery) you experience
• How much relatedness (belonging) you feel in your role
• Which need is most unfulfilled and limiting your motivation
• Specific strategies to address each unmet need
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Self-Determination Theory?
Self-Determination Theory (SDT) is a psychology framework proposing that humans have three core psychological needs: Autonomy (choice and control), Competence (mastery and growth), and Relatedness (connection and belonging). When work fulfills all three, motivation and wellbeing are highest.
What's the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Intrinsic motivation (doing something because you enjoy it) produces lasting engagement and better performance than extrinsic motivation (doing something for money or status). SDT shows that fulfilling autonomy, competence, and relatedness activates intrinsic motivation.
Can extrinsic rewards hurt motivation?
Yes, sometimes. Overly controlling external rewards can undermine intrinsic motivation — a phenomenon called "motivation crowding out." However, autonomy-supportive rewards (giving you choice) don't have this effect.
What job fulfills all three needs best?
Jobs combining creative control (autonomy), mastery opportunities (competence), and strong team connection (relatedness) — think product teams at mission-driven companies. Contrarily, highly controlled, isolated, dead-end jobs fulfill none.
Can I increase my motivation at a bad job?
Somewhat. You can seek autonomy in small ways, find learning opportunities for competence, and build relationships with colleagues. However, jobs fundamentally lacking all three needs are hard to sustain in. Changing jobs is often better than motivation hacks.
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