18th August 2025
What really makes us tick? How to unlock motivation, drive employee engagement and build better teams
What really makes us tick?
How to unlock motivation, drive employee engagement and build better teams
Ever had a day at work where everything just flows? You’re energised, productive, in sync with your team. And then, other days… not so much. You feel blocked, frustrated, or disconnected – but you’re not quite sure why.
What if those ups and downs weren’t just random? What if they were directly connected to how well your deepest motivations were being met?
Welcome to the world of PRINT®, the profiling tool that doesn’t just reveal what you do, but why you do it.
Kay Vessey, Lead PRINT® Coach at employee engagement agency H&H, spoke to Christine –host of the Incite Brilliance podcast, about how Unconscious Motivators®, shape our behaviour, and why they hold the key to building happier, higher-performing workplaces. Here is a snapshot of that conversation.
So, what is PRINT®?
PRINT® is a motivation profiling system designed to help individuals and organisations understand what truly drives people – and also, what gets in their way.
Unlike traditional personality tools, which typically focus on surface-level observable and accessible behaviours, PRINT® digs deeper. PRINT® reveals your Unconscious Motivators® – the unconscious needs that, when satisfied, keep you in what Kay calls your ‘Best Self’: positive, productive, motivated and resourceful.
PRINT® also sheds light on your Shadow behaviour – the reactive, automatic responses that emerge when your motivators are blocked or ignored. The beauty of PRINT® is that it makes the unconscious, conscious. And this provides insight and a shared language to create meaningful, lasting change.
Why motivation matters at work
PRINT® helps people understand not only themselves but also their colleagues. When teams gain this insight, shift happens. Communication becomes clearer, collaboration more natural, and conflict is reduced.
‘Everyone has different motivators,’ Kay explains. ‘What lights me up might not work for you. When we understand each other’s ‘why’, we can connect on a much deeper level.’
This has a direct impact on employee engagement. When people feel seen, understood, and able to bring their strengths to the table, they’re more likely to feel motivated, productive and fulfilled. PRINT® supercharges leaders and communicators with the skills and knowledge to create the kind of environment where everyone thrives.
From self-awareness to strategy
According to her PRINT® profile, Kay’s two key driving Unconscious Motivators® are: to enjoy life and be happy, and to be needed and appreciated. For her, this translates into seeking variety, working closely with others, and finding meaning in contribution. It also means she can get impatient if things feel too slow or disconnected.
‘That’s where strategies come in,’ she says. ‘PRINT® helps you to build self-awareness, and from there, you can consciously create strategies to stay in Best Self for longer.’
Whether that’s avoiding peak times at the supermarket or adjusting how you approach a difficult or challenging task, these small shifts make a big difference, especially when applied across a team or organisation.
Shadow behaviour: What happens when we’re not at our best?
Shadow behaviour is the other aspect of PRINT®. Shadow behaviour potentially shows up when our core motivators aren’t being met, and we’re not being mindful. Often, we’re not aware of it.
For some, Shadow behaviour might look like perfectionism or withdrawal. For others, it’s impatience, micromanagement, or overreacting to small frustrations. The important thing to remember is that Shadow behaviour is a signal. A clue that something deeper is not being satisfied.
The real power comes when teams can talk about this openly.
‘When we share our PRINT® profiles,’ says Kay, ‘it gives us a common language. Instead of saying, “You’re being difficult”, we can say, “I think this might be triggering one of your motivators, so how can we approach this differently?” It’s empowering, not blaming.’
The role of PRINT® in team performance
At H&H, PRINT® is one of the foundational tools used to build high-performing teams. From coaching individuals to guiding departments through change, the focus is always the same: unlocking what motivates people and creating space for them to bring their Best Self to work.
Kay describes working with teams who may be struggling with friction, low morale or communication breakdowns. Once everyone has explored their PRINT® profile and Unconscious Motivators®, the transformation process begins.
‘It opens up space for vulnerability, for reflection, for understanding each other’s perspectives. That’s where trust starts to build.’
The impact doesn’t stop there. PRINT® can be used at every stage of the people development journey, from onboarding and leadership development to managing change and designing internal communications that truly resonate.
Can PRINT® support hiring and role alignment?
PRINT® can also add incredible value to your recruitment process and practice. Skills and competence aside, the PRINT® Role Alignment Report gets to the heart of the type of environment in which each candidate will feel motivated, productive, resourceful and engaged.
This enables organisations to create the right setting that a new team member needs to be successful from day one.
‘It’s not about hiring for a type,’ Kay stresses. ‘It’s about giving people the conditions they need to thrive, and that starts with understanding their motivations.’
PRINT® in action
One of the most powerful applications of PRINT® came in a recent leadership programme delivered in collaboration with East Riding of Yorkshire Council. With communication and employee engagement high on the agenda, PRINT® was embedded throughout the programme to help leaders understand themselves, motivate their teams, and lead authentically.
The results? Outstanding.
‘One participant said it was the most powerful programme they’d ever experienced in 25 years at the council,’ says Kay. ‘And we backed that up with data – over 95% of delegates said they were more self-aware, more able to manage Shadow behaviour, and better equipped to lead change.’
The programme has since won multiple awards for its impact and continues to shape how the leaders act, react and interact with one another and beyond.
So, what’s next?
If you’re curious about what motivates you – or what might be blocking your team’s strengths and talents – get in touch. It all starts with a conversation.
Whether you’re looking to boost employee engagement, unlock team performance, or simply understand what makes people tick, Kay and the PRINT® team will guide you through how to discover your ‘why’.
Listen to the full conversation here on the Incite Brilliance podcast.
