Financial services employees are the least motivated at work - new global data finds

Employees are motivated the most by being able to make a difference at work

4 November 2025, UK: New global data reveals that Financial Services, Banking and IT are the least motivated industries, with staff averaging a personal motivation score of 69%, 70.4% and 70.8% respectively.  

The data is based on the scores of 17,381 Motivational Maps completed by employees across 10 major industry sectors worldwide. Released by transformational leadership and people development consultancy Full Potential Group, in partnership with Motivational Maps, the findings show that those working in Management Consulting report the highest motivation levels, with an average score of 76.2%. Employees in the Pharmaceutical sector follow closely behind with an average of 73%, while those in Hospital and Healthcare, Insurance, Retail, Wholesale and Construction report average scores of around 71%. 

Based on extensive research into human motivation, Motivational Maps measures how well an employee’s top three workplace drivers are being fulfilled, out of a total of nine motivators. These motivators – clustered into achievement, growth or relationships – include, for example, power, influence and control; innovation and creativity; and security and stability. Scores between 61-80% fall into ‘The Boost Zone’ – meaning some fine tuning around people's top motivators is required.   

Interestingly, the data shows that staff across these top 10 industry sectors rate ‘Purposeful work that makes a difference’ as their number one work motivator, while also in their top three is ‘work where they can use their knowledge and mastery’ and to have ‘freedom and independence.’ ‘Job security’ and ‘being able to innovate’ came in fourth and fifth.  

Employees, on average, are least motivated by work that ‘seeks recognition and respect’ and ‘gains power and influence.’ Also, of least importance is ‘the need for friendship and belonging,’ and ‘money and material satisfaction.’ 

Financial Services, Banking and IT key motivators  

Work that allows employees to develop their ‘mastery, knowledge and expertise’ is one of the top three motivators for those in Financial Services, Banking and IT. Employees in Financial Services and IT also value the ‘freedom to make their own decisions’ - while those in the Banking sector rank job ‘stability and security’ as their second most important driver.  

Surprisingly, ‘money and material rewards’ rank low on the motivation scale for Banking and Financial Services, as well as for IT, with ‘friendship and belonging, and power and influence’ also topping the bottom of all three sectors’ list of motivators. 

Carole Gaskell, CEO of Full Potential Group said: “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 who conduct regular motivation assessments usually score higher motivation scores than those who 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.” 

The new Motivational Maps data follows the recent publication of Gallup’s Annual State of the Global Workplace report, which shows that last year employee engagement worldwide fell to 21% - 2% less than the year before, equating to $438 billion in lost productivity. This is just the second time global engagement has fallen in over a decade, having previously dropped in 2020 during the pandemic year. 

Carole adds: “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.” 

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Editors notes

About the data 

The table below shows the data contained within this press release based on 17,381 Motivational Maps Profiles from employees based in over 100 countries, working in ten of the top industry sectors to have completed the maps across the nine motivational factors - Builder, Creator, Defender, Director, Expert, Friend, Searcher, Spirit, and Star. For the nine motivational factors, please see the second and third diagram below.  

To note that whilst the dataset covers over 100 countries, the sample sizes of the motivational maps conducted does vary by country.

About Full Potential Group

Established in 1998, Full Potential has partnered with over 2,500 organisations, growing their talent, building confidence and capability, shifting mindsets, behaviours and beliefs and skilling over 700,000 people to realise more of their potential.

Full potential creates business growth by unleashing the talent within your organisation. The organisation is passionate about the potential of people and the transformational impact of leadership in driving exponential performance and return on investment.