While there are limitations to Maslow's hierarchy, it can help us understand the basics of human motivation. This theory can be applied to basic life motivation or to employees in the work environment. This article focuses on how employers can help employees thrive in each of the 5 steps. Not every person will be exactly the same and many people are satisfied and feel no need to as long as the 2-3 lower steps of the pyramid are met. In theory, we need to have the bottom needs met before we can move up the pyramid.

Starting from the bottom of the pyramid and working our way up:

Physiological

• Basic bodily needs
• Access to adequate food and water
• Sex
• Sleep
• Shelter
• Clothing
• Body in a state of constancy or optimal functioning (homeostasis)

What Employers Can Do

• Paying employees enough that they can afford stable housing and nutrition
• Allowing employees time for adequate rest and time away from work (sick time, vacation time, PTO, adequate time between shifts)
• Ensuring employees have sufficient breaks during work to eat and take care of themselves

Safety

• Physical safety/security
• Mental safety/security
• Job security
• Property safety
• Having proper resources to provide a stable life (money, insurance, transportation, etc.)
• Safety from natural disaster

What Employers Can Do

• Employers should make sure workplace safety standards are in place and followed
• Implement a zero tolerance workplace bullying standard or zero tolerance for any type of toxic behavior in the workplace
• Employers should provide fair, adequate, and timely feedback to employees for praise and improvements in work performance
• Offer benefits to employees (health insurance, retirement accounts, workplace wellness, disability coverage, etc.)

Love + Belonging

• Having trusted friends
• Having a sense of community
• Marriage
• Family
• Group affiliation
• Generally feeling supported
• A feeling of belonging or being valued in the workplace

What Employers Can Do

• Create space for employees to connect. You can have a break room, offer an annual company retreat, encourage employees to take a walk break with their colleagues, etc.
• Listen when employees bring up concerns and follow up. If you can't take actionable steps to address the employees concerns be sure to clearly articulate why. Many people may not like what you have to say or the outcome, but generally, if you can be clear about why something can't happen people will appreciate that you were honest with them and took the time to explain. Help people understand why the organization is making certain decisions.

Esteem

• Feeling appreciated or respected by others
• Need for power
• Prestige/status
• Self confidence
• Self respect
• Competence
• These fit more with the ego needs

What Employers Can Do

• Provide opportunity for advancement
• Give employees the chance to take on new tasks or responsibilities that provide the opportunity for growth
• Acknowledge efforts employees make in their individual work as well as how they help others in the organization succeed
• Provide proper training and continuing education opportunities
• Have an employee appreciation program in place (acknowledge tenure, new certifications, setting a new record, etc.)
• Have properly defined job descriptions

Self-actualization

• Most people will not reach this step
• This is the fulfillment of all that is possible for you
• Strong sense of morality, ethics, and responsibility
• Getting rid of prejudice
• Thoughtful humor
• A sense of limitlessness, not confined by norms, unconventional
• Wanting to offer the world your unique talents, skills, abilities for the greater good
• Being open to transformative experiences
• Acceptance of self and others
• In touch with and able to trust your intuition
• Open to life unfolding - lack of fear, just grace and acceptance - not swayed by the ebbs and flows of life
• Good grasp of reality - not in the hard, pessimistic sense - fact based, no assumptions
• Problem focused
• Looking for ways to learn and grow from challenges
• Strong understanding of self and self awareness
• Autonomous, independent, don't feel the need to conform to what other people judge as success
• Value privacy

What Employers Can Do

• Employees need to be align with company mission and culture. Hire people who fit this.
• Employers can offer the chance for meaningful and engaging work
• Trusting the employee enough to give them the liberty to change or handle work as they see fit
• Encourage employees to try new things
• Don't force employees into responsibilities or positions that are not a good fit for them

Additional Reading

• Imposter Syndrome: I'm a Fraud and Everyone Will Find Out
• Setting Yourself Up for Sleep 😴
• Snuffed: When Workplace Burnout Takes Hold
• Eustress, Distress, I'm Stressed: The Toll Chronic Negative Stress Can Take
• The Muse: Constantly Being Asked to Do the “Office Housework?” Here’s How to Say No
• HBR: Does Your Company Offer Fruitful Careers — Or Dead-End Jobs?
• HBR: Are You Taking on Too Many Non-Promotable Tasks?

Disclaimer: None of the products, services, or information provided by Jennifer Glover-Keller, LLC are to be construed as medical care. It is critical that you speak with your medical provider(s) to determine what is safe and appropriate for you before starting any type of exercise or wellness routine, including yoga.