When it comes to providing the employees with the thing that they need and deserve from an employer, the Hierarchy of Needs by an American psychologist named Abraham Maslow can be used as a reference as it is such a good guide. As per Deeper Mind, this theory starts with physiological needs and develops through some other things, such as safety needs, the need for belonging, esteem needs and self actualization.
While it is true that the resources of the owners of the small business may be fewer to satisfy the needs of the employees compared to the big ones, the owners of the small business can take the advantage by applying every category in this theory by Abraham Maslow. The things that they get are something that is different compared to the competitors.
If you are an employer who thinks that the needs of the employees are important and you also think that Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is best, below are more details of each aspect mentioned above. Make sure to check out everything. If needed, you can also write it down on a piece of paper so that there is no way for you to forget about it.
- Physiological needs
As an employer, it is important for you to make sure that the employees are comfortable working in the company. Every employee deserves their own spot. Not only that, they also deserve food. If the company does not provide food to consume, at least give these employees time to look at some foods and to eat. Do not forget to also give them some time to rest. While not everyone may be aware about this, in fact, rest is as important as food. Having enough time to rest can make them more productive. On the other hand, if they do not get enough time to rest and work like a cow, everything can be fatal because both of their body and mind can be not good.
- Safety needs
The safety of the employees should be the main focus, so do not forget to make sure that everyone feels safe and comfortable. They need to know that they are in a great and safe environment and there is no danger around it. Another thing they should know is that they are safe and are not going to be physically and or verbally attacked.
- Love and belonging needs
Almost everyone, if not all, loves to be around the ones with a positive vibe. Happy and positive people are always loved. Apart from that, they also like to communicate, make friendships and grow within the community. Go try creating the chance for people to connect with each other to see that it is really good and beneficial.
- Esteem needs
In this case, you can try to give these employees a chance to accomplish something. When they achieve their plan, make sure to praise them for it. They would feel good when getting a positive feedback when they are doing well. Before anything, make sure to give them that chance.
- Self-actualization needs
Try your best to make these employees think that they are being used well and they are part of the team and have important roles in the company. Do not be surprised if you see that they lose interest really quickly when you do not give them the chance to be who they are and to try reaching the top.
Actually, the Hierarchy of Needs by Abraham Maslow should not only be noted by the employers but also the employees themselves. If you are an employee, it is possible for you to find the areas that you can improve while applying this theory in your personal life. Besides relaying your employer to fulfill the needs of the employee like you, you should also know how your needs impact your overall success in certain roles. For instance, if you have a hard time with rejection, a job as a salesman could make it more challenging to meet your needs.
If you want to reach the top pyramid of Hierarchy of Needs by Abraham Maslow in the workplace, it is a must for you to be self-actualized. In case you have no idea what it means, it means you understand everything about you, including your skills, abilities and the things that you are capable of handling. A workforce can be considered healthy and engaged if it is full of people who have reached the pyramid of this theory.
The chance of you succeeding is higher if you are good at identifying your needs and making sure those needs are fulfilled positively. The attitude that you have will be better if you feel safe, supported, a sense of belonging and self actualized. Engagement and motivation are usually the ones that are based on the team. So, a team that consists of individuals who feels their needs are being met is able to make a more positive, engaging culture within the workplace.
In fact, the employers who have low engagement rates usually have higher turnover rates. Not only that, they also usually have issues with low morale and the employees who work for them are unhappy. Investing in the overall happiness of its employees is really good as it not only can raise satisfaction, it can also increase engagement and motivation, which is also good to improve productivity.
Assessing whether you feel your needs are being fulfilled in your current position is really important and you should keep this in mind. It is also worth noting that just like the others’, your needs are important. Besides, they are also valuable. Hence, it is important for you to keep them top of the list of your priorities and to not put them in a low position. In addition, please try your best to find ways to make changes in some aspects of your personal life and do not forget to also make a positive, engaging working atmosphere.
