Use this quick self-assessment to check how motivated your team is likely to feel at work.
You’ll answer 27 Yes/No statements across five areas: Basic Needs, Safety & Security, Belonging, Esteem, and Growth. Your Total Score (out of 27) updates automatically as you work through the checklist.
How to use this tool
Read each statement and select Yes if it’s consistently true in your organisation/team; select No if it’s not true or only happens occasionally.
Answer based on what happens most of the time, not best-case days.
When you finish, use the guidance shown with your score to choose 1–2 practical improvements to focus on over the next 30 days.
This tool provides an indicative score and the results are intended for internal reflection.
How to interpret your score
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20–25: Strong motivational culture
Recommended actions:-
Keep doing what’s working — identify the top 2–3 practices that drive motivation and protect them.
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Share recognition regularly (team wins + individual contributions).
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Check in quarterly on workload, priorities, and development so momentum doesn’t slip.
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15–19: Solid foundation, improvements possible
Recommended actions:-
Pick the lowest-scoring area (Basic Needs, Safety, Belonging, Esteem, or Growth) and focus on that first.
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Agree 1–2 changes you can implement within the next 30 days (clear owner + deadline).
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Introduce a simple rhythm: weekly team check-in + monthly 1:1s to track progress.
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10–14: Motivation risks emerging
Recommended actions:-
Run a short listening check (anonymous pulse or quick team discussion) to pinpoint what’s driving the score down.
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Fix the “hygiene” basics first: clarity of expectations, fairness/consistency, workload balance, and recognition.
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Create a 30-day improvement plan with 3 actions max, and review progress weekly.
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Below 10: Immediate leadership focus required
Recommended actions:-
Treat this as urgent: meet with the team, listen first, and acknowledge the issues openly.
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Stabilise the essentials: clear roles/priorities, psychological safety, consistent management behaviours, and practical support.
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Set a weekly review for 4 weeks, track 3 priority actions, and re-take the assessment at the end of the month to measure improvement.
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