In the first article of the workplace motivation series, we explored how competence beliefs shape motivation at work. We asked whether what looks like low motivation might sometimes reflect a quieter doubt: “ Am I capable ?” But competence is only one piece of the picture. Another influential framework in motivation research is Self-Determination Theory , developed by Ryan and Deci (2000) (1). This theory distinguishes between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and argues that human motivation is deeply shaped by the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs: autonomy , relatedness , and competence . In this article, we will take a closer look at these three needs and try to understand how shifts in employee motivation can often be traced back to whether these needs are supported or frustrated in the workplace. Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation Self-Determination Theory approaches motivation as a continuum shaped by the degree of internalization. At wo...