Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Video

When your team members know you're treating them right, they'll feel motivated to give their best in return. But, if you ignore their needs, it won't be long before they start to feel demotivated and disengaged.

The best leaders are the ones that really get to know and understand their people's needs, and do their utmost to protect their wellbeing.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs can help you do just that. The theory says that as we try to meet our most basic needs, we also seek to satisfy higher ones. And it's only by meeting all these needs that we can truly thrive.

Maslow's model is often represented as a pyramid, a triangle, or a ladder. Level One needs are our basic bodily needs, like air, food, water, and sleep. Our survival depends on satisfying them.

Level Two represents our need for safety and security   . Once we know we can survive, we seek shelter from the elements, from violence and from disease. In the workplace, managers have a duty of care   to protect their team members from threats to their safety and security, such as working in extreme temperatures or in dangerous environments.

Once we feel safe, we become aware of a need for love and belonging. These are our emotional needs. Managers should handle this need sensitively. It can be particularly tricky for people to maintain a sense of belonging when they work in a virtual or distributed organization because it can cause people to feel lonely and disconnected. Team socials or fun virtual events, like quizzes, can help to bring people together and are great opportunities for team bonding.

Next is our need for esteem. This is our desire for respect and recognition, as well as our sense of worth, competence, and independence. If these needs are not met at work, an employee may feel frustrated or inferior and might become withdrawn or angry. So, try to create an inclusive workplace where all team members feel heard and valued   .

Level Five is called self-actualization. This is when a person can do what they feel they are meant to do and be who they are meant to be. They are committed to their own personal growth and feel empowered to achieve their goals. We all have the need for self-actualization, but we can only meet it once all of our lower needs are satisfied. As a manager, you can help your team members fulfill this need by encouraging them to voice and explore ideas freely and by offering up opportunities that match their values and personal interests.

If you want to learn more about Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, see the article   that accompanies this video.