German Companies' Motivation Gap: 14% vs 34% in Large vs Small Firms

A recent study, the 'Intrinsic@Work Index 2025', reveals a stark contrast in employee motivation levels between large and small German companies. Only 14 percent of employees in large firms are highly motivated, compared to 34 percent in smaller businesses. This disparity underscores the need for transformative leadership to tackle challenges and boost innovation.

The study found that 30 percent of employees in German companies are unmotivated, with only 17 percent being highly intrinsically motivated. Unmotivated employees are more prone to sickness and mental overload, with just 7 percent expressing optimism about their professional future. In contrast, 47 percent of highly motivated employees look optimistically to their future.

Part-time employees are disproportionately affected, with 33 percent reporting low motivation. Only 15 percent of unmotivated employees participate in innovation processes, compared to 65 percent of highly motivated employees. Intrinsic motivation is significantly higher in the eastern regions of Germany, reaching up to 27 percent, while motivation is strikingly low in Baden-Württemberg at just 9 percent.

Key leaders in major German companies, including numerous CEOs and top executives, are stepping up to enhance employee intrinsic motivation. Notable progress in gender diversity is being made, with women increasingly taking top roles in DAX companies and consultancy firms like Bain, EY-Parthenon, and Accenture. These leaders face a challenging environment, marked by declining growth expectations and geopolitical uncertainty, pushing them to explore new growth strategies and invest in technologies like AI to boost efficiency and innovation.

The 'Intrinsic@Work Index 2025' highlights the urgent need for German companies to address the motivation gap, particularly in larger firms. With only 11 percent of employees being both motivated and innovative, businesses must prioritize transformative leadership and employee engagement to drive growth and innovation in the face of challenging times.