Needs and motivation
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
A sketch map of individual needs – which is useful for managers
when considering individuals – can be drawn from Maslow’s
hierarchy of needs (1954), but it must be borne in mind that his
theory does not fully appreciate individual differences or that each
person has a unique set of needs and values.
Maslow identified five motivating factors in his hierarchy of needs
and indicated that as each need is satisfied, others then emerge. He
identified:
1 physiological needs (including hunger, thirst, sleep)
2 safety needs (security and protection from danger)
3 social needs (belonging, acceptance, social life, friendship
and love)
4 self-esteem (self-respect, achievement, status, recognition)
5 self-actualisation (growth, accomplishment, personal
development).However, points to bear in mind are that:- individuals do not necessarily move up the hierarchy on the
principle that a ‘satisfied need ceases to motivate’ although
that can be the case - different levels of needs can kick in at random points on the scale
toward full satisfaction of needs - culture and age and other factors can affect the importance of
the different needs to different people and at different stages
in their lives - the satisfying of some needs can be sacrificed in order to try
and satisfy higher level needs.
158 The John Adair Handbook of Management and Leadership