Which trio best describes self-determination in the workplace?

• A. Feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted.
• B. Feeling autonomous, competent, and connected to others.
• C. Feeling rewarded, promoted, and recognized.
• D. Feeling independent, nonconforming, and detached.

Answer: (B)

In self-determination at work, people thrive when they feel in control of their actions (autonomy), capable in their tasks (competence), and connected to others (relatedness). The trio that best describes this is autonomy, competence, and relatedness: feeling autonomous, feeling competent, and feeling connected to others. This combination supports intrinsic motivation and engagement because when individuals have choice and control, can master their work, and belong to a supportive social environment, they are motivated from within rather than by external pressures.

The other options describe burnout (stress, being overwhelmed, exhausted), reliance on external rewards (rewarded, promoted, recognized), or a sense of independence that undermines connection (independent, nonconforming, detached). These do not capture the essential three needs that drive self-determination in the workplace.