IT & tech staff rank among world's least motivated workers

New global data shows that staff in IT and tech services rank among the three least motivated industry sectors worldwide.

The results, based on responses from 17,381 employees across ten major industries, reveal that IT and tech services scored an average personal motivation level of 70.8%.

Financial services employees recorded the lowest motivation with an average of 69%, closely followed by banking at 70.4%. In contrast, those working in management consulting reported the highest average motivation at 76.2%.

The research was conducted by Full Potential Group in partnership with Motivational Maps, using an assessment that measures fulfilment of employees' top three workplace motivators out of a possible nine, including purpose, mastery, and security.

Sector-wide findings

The pharmaceutical sector scored the second highest average motivation level at 73%. Hospital and healthcare, insurance, retail, wholesale, and construction each recorded average scores around 71%.

Scores between 61% and 80% fall within what Motivational Maps terms 'The Boost Zone', indicating that there is room for improvement by aligning jobs with what truly drives individuals.

IT and tech drivers

According to the findings, staff in IT and tech services sectors are most motivated by work they perceive as 'purposeful' and making a difference. Highly rated motivators also include opportunities for developing expertise and knowledge, as well as autonomy-freedom and independence in decision making.

Other possible motivators, such as recognition, power, a sense of belonging, or financial reward, were ranked as less important by respondents in this sector.

Insights from leadership

"Our research shows a clear shift: employees today are increasingly motivated by purposeful work that makes a difference, rather than by status, recognition, or respect alone. For leaders, this means creating roles and projects that connect people to purpose, values and impact, ensuring their teams feel their work truly matters.

"Interestingly, sectors such as Banking, Financial Services and IT are showing the lowest motivation scores, perhaps reflecting environments where tasks can feel transactional and disconnected from wider purpose. By contrast, Management Consultancy ranks highest, as consultants are often engaged in solving complex problems, influencing change, and driving visible results. What is also worth pointing out is that companies that conduct regular motivation assessments usually score higher motivation scores than those that don't, demonstrating the importance of regular motivation analysis. The challenge and opportunity for employers across all industries is to reframe work in ways that fuel purpose, contribution, and growth, the most powerful drivers of sustainable motivation."

These comments were made by Carole Gaskell, Chief Executive Officer of Full Potential Group. Gaskell also highlighted the recurring top motivators across sectors, and the importance of better aligning employee roles with what matters most at an individual level.

"Motivation at work is deeply connected to what we seek in life as a whole. Current top motivators are purpose, mastery, and security. That's why examining your Motivations is of fundamental importance. For leaders and HR, this insight is a powerful tool to design roles, cultures and opportunities that truly empower people. For employees, it's a chance to understand what really drives you, so you can align your career with what matters most. When organisations and individuals harness this awareness, they unlock not only higher motivation and performance, but also greater fulfilment in work and life."

Context on motivation data

The research comes as Gallup's recent Annual State of the Global Workplace report indicated that global employee engagement rates fell to 21% last year, down by two percentage points compared to the prior year. According to Gallup, this represents USD $438 billion in lost productivity. This is the second instance in over a decade that global engagement levels have dropped, the previous occasion occurring in 2020 during the pandemic.

The Motivational Maps assessment covers a diverse sample of employees from over 100 countries, though participation levels varied by country. Motivation scores are derived from the level of fulfilment across nine motivating factors: Builder, Creator, Defender, Director, Expert, Friend, Searcher, Spirit, and Star. These factors are grouped under achievement, growth, and relationships.

The research suggests that employers could potentially raise motivation scores by regularly conducting motivation assessments and by designing work that connects employees more closely to purpose, growth opportunities, and a sense of contribution.