Maslow Hierarchy of Needs

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During 1950's four theories were developed of Employees Motivation, 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs' remains on of the well known theory that emphasize on employee needs that motivates him to perform. Maslow believed that there exist a hierarchy of needs that motivates employees/individuals at different levels.
This theory emphasize that every individual can be motivated depending on the level of needs he is. If we are able to determine on what level of need an individual is we can focus on satisfying those needs on that level and above that level. These needs grouped on five categories/levels.

Maslow Need Hierarchy

 Physiological: Physiological needs are those required to sustain life such as:

  • Hunger 
  • Thirst
  • Shelter 
  • Air
  • Food
  • Drink
  • Sleep
  • Sex
Higher needs such as Social and Esteem will not prevail unless these needs are satisfied.

Safety and Security: Once physiological needs are satisfied and individual moves to next level of needs to make sure he is free from physical and emotional harm. These needs may include:
  • Living in safe area
  • Security from physical harm
  • Law and order
  • Medical insurance 
  • Job security
  • Freedom


Social needs: Once a person has met Safety and Security needs, the higher level needs activates. Social needs being the first of these higher needs relates with relationship of an individual with the society and these may include:
  • Belongingness
  • Affection
  • Acceptance
  • Friendship
  • Family and social relationship
  • Team work

Esteem: Once a person has feel of social belongingness and relationship his desire of next level of need of 'being important' arises. This level arises right next to the social needs and can be described as to how maintain or gain this 'being important' need. The answer to his question may be found in:
  • Self respect
  • Achievement
  • Mastery
  • Self-recognition
  • Consideration
  • Respect from others and respect in society
Maslow, later on has also suggested the need for knowledge and aesthetics as the next level of need after Esteem needs and before  Self-actualization. The needs for knowledge arises when a person has strong desire for Esteem Needs then having good knowledge and impressive personality will definitely lead to achieve Esteem needs and starts moving towards Self -actualization needs.

Self-actualization: Self-actualization is the highest level of need in Maslow Need hierarchy. These needs are tend to never satisfy and individual and when one of Self-actualization need is satisfied another arises. These include: 
  • Growth
  • Self potential
  • Success
  • Justice 
  • Wisdom 
  • Self-fulfillment
  • Personal growth
  • Justice 
Maslow categorized these needs in hierarchy starting with lower needs to higher needs. Lower order needs- Physiological and Safety needs- are satisfied externally by things such as pay, promotion and respect and Higher order needs- Social, Esteem and Self actualization- are satisfied internally within an individual. 

Maslow need hierarchy theory is well known among new practicing managers. No need is ever satisfied and a satisfied need never motivates. So if the managers want to motivate their employees then they must know whether at which level their employees are and then focus to satisfy those needs while giving them ample of opportunities to fulfill those needs.