br />MASLOWS NEED HIERARCHY
Maslow Hierarchy of needs is a theory in psychology developed by Abraham Maslow
which states that basic low-order needs like physiological requirements and safety must be
satisfied before higher order needs such as self fulfillment. The theory remains valid today
for understanding human motivation, management training and personal development.
Each one of us is motivated by needs. Our most basic needs are inborn, having evolved
over tens of thousands of years. This theory helps to explain how these needs motivate us.
Only when the lower order needs of physical and emotional well-being are satisfied there
is a concern for higher order needs of influence and personal development. Conversely, if
the things that satisfy our lower order needs are swept away, we are no longer concerned
about the maintenance of our higher order needs. The Hierarchy of Needs model
comprises of the following five needs:
1. Physiological needs: These are required to sustain life, e.g. air, water, nourishment and
sleep. According to Maslow theory, if such needs are not satisfied, then ones motivation
will arise from the quest to satisfy them.
2. Safety: Such needs might be fulfilled by living in a safe area, medical insurance, job
security and financial reserves. According to the theory, if a person feels he/she is in harms
way, higher needs will not receive much attention.
3. Social needs: These are related to interaction with other people and may include need
for friends, belonging and to give and receive love.
4. Esteem: Once a person feels a sense of belonging, the need to feel important arises
which is esteem and includes: self respect achievement, attention and recognition.
5. Self Actualization: This is the summit of Marlow Hierarchy of needs. This need is never
fully satisfied, but the quest of reaching ones full potential as a person is ongoing. Self
actualized people tend to have needs such as: truth, justice, wisdom and meaning.
According to Maslow theory only a small percentage of population reaches the level of
self actualization.
Maslow hierarchy of needs explains many factors in the success of Continental Go
Forward Plan had on motivating employees. By analyzing employees comments, attitudes,
quality and quantity of work, and personal circumstances Brenneman and Gordon
identified the particular needs that the employees were trying to satisfy. Each change that
was made, each step that was taken was toward satisfying all five levels of human needs.
They began by painting the entire fleet of planes, carpeting the terminals, and developing
