At the beginning of 2009, the Gallup/Institute published a study on employee motivation in German companies. The survey came to the conclusion that about 90% of employees surveyed had no real feeling of obligation towards their employers. Only 13% of employees carry out their work with commitment and feel attached to their company. 67% of employees merely work to rule and try to avoid additional exertion and voluntary involvement wherever possible. About a fifth of employees claims to have “internally quit” already. These disturbing numbers have been ascertained during a 2008 study among 1,900 employees. The numbers mentioned above have been relatively constant for years and have enormous consequences for the companies and should shock leaders, as so much potential is left unused. But what are the specific causes for the lack of employee motivation?