As the global health crisis drags on into another month, managers are looking for new ways to keep their teams motivated and mentally sound. Looking to psychology for understanding, self-determination theory can offer a meaningful framework for managers looking to foster motivation, empowerment, and mental health within their teams. There are three main categories of needs defined by self-determination theory: relatedness, competence, and autonomy. All three are important in fostering team members who are engaged, confident, and productive. Relatedness has to do with an employee’s sense of belonging and value. Taking the time to listen to their perspective and ensuring they are heard and valued can help fulfill this need. The second is competence. This refers to an employee’s level of empowerment. They should be involved in decisions where their input is valuable and allowed to demonstrate their mastery of particular skills. The final need is autonomy. Employees need to feel like they are responsible for their own success and that they have the tools to get there.