Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Its Effectiveness in Today’s Management
Melody Driver
Southern Crescent Technical College

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Introduction
Effective management is an essential part of any business or organization aiming for success. In order for management to be effective, individuals being managed must possess motivation to achieve the intended goal. What motivate individuals to want to be successful? The Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs introduced by Abraham Maslow describe how individuals are motivated to satisfy their needs and goals. The theory identify which needs are fulfilled in order to gain satisfaction. The concept derived from Maslow’s theory provide an important element for managers in today’s workplace. It enable managers to maintain a competitive edge over individuals competing for similar positions. Managers may utilize Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to effectively manage their team and personal goals as well.
History of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Abraham Maslow, human psychologist introduced the idea that certain behaviors are inspired to accomplish certain desires. Maslow’s concept was established in 1943 through a series of his work, paper and a book. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs suggest five behavioral qualities motive individuals to meet their needs. The proposed needs include biological needs, need for safety, affection, love and acceptance, esteem needs and self-actualization needs. Maslow’s theory categorize the needs into different levels. In order to elevate to the next level, subsequent needs must be met to progress. Today’s managers In the business world or workforce in order for a company to be successful they must be able to understand and satisfy the needs of their employers and consumers. Remaining relevant and sustaining a competitive edge some organizations often uses Maslow’s theory to influence managers to apply these behavioral tools in order to achieve productivity.
Physiological Needs These are biological needs. They consist of needs for oxygen, food, water, and a relatively constant body temperature. They are the strongest needs because if a person were deprived of all needs, the physiological ones would come first in the person’s search for satisfaction.
Safety Needs When all physiological needs are satisfied and are no longer controlling thoughts and behaviors, the needs for security can become active. Adults have little awareness of their security needs except in times of emergency or periods of disorganization in the social structure (such as widespread rioting). Children often display the signs of insecurity and the need to be safe.
Needs of Love, Affection and Belongingness When the needs for safety and for physiological well-being are satisfied, the next class of needs for love, affection and belongingness can emerge. Maslow states that people seek to overcome feelings of loneliness and alienation. This invoices both giving and receiving love, affection and the sense of belonging.
Need for Esteem When the first three classes of needs are satisfied, the needs for self esteem can become dominant. These involve needs for both self-esteem and for the esteem a person gets from others. Humans have a need for a stable, firmly based, high level of self-respect, and respect from others. When these needs are satisfied, the person feels self confident and valuable as a person in the world. When these are frustrated, the person feels inferior, weak, helpless, and worthless.
Need for Self-Actualization When all of the foregoing needs are satisfied, then and only then are the needs for self-actualization activated. Maslow describes self-actualization as a person’s need to be and do that which the was “born to do.” (Janet A. Simons, 1987) Why is Maslow’s theory important for managers in today’s workplace? If managers apply Maslow’s theory within the workplace they will get a better understanding of the different behaviors displayed by their employees. Not only