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One of the main focuses of modern psychology is the understanding of underlying motivations of human behavior. With this understanding, psychologists can help subjects control or at least influence their behavior in a constructive way. This leads to helping individuals improve various aspects of their personal lives, including interpersonal relationships and career advancement. Maslow was in innovator in the field of psychology. He authored an important paper in 1943, developed after his extensive experience with others, to explain the motivation for human behavior based on the needs of people. Before this paper, only animals and pure theory had been the main sources of psychological doctrines. He was a revolutionary by focusing on mental health, instead of what was abnormal, thereby making his theory more applicable and relevant to humanity. This is the theory by which Maslow is now considered the father of Humanistic Psychology and of Modern Management. Human motivation is a stepped pyramid or hierarchical ladder according to Maslow's theory of human motivation. In today's society, his theories are still useful. The hierarchy, from bottom to top, is physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization needs. His theory states that people must start from the first step and continue up the hierarchy after each step has been successfully fulfilled. Maslow's needs triangle has had an impact on all individuals, including in the world of business. All employees' needs must be addressed; including needs for nutrition, protection and rest. Without the provision of these needs, or the opportunity to obtain them, employees will remain physically and motivationally stagnant. For employers, this means that all employees must be provided with sufficient time away from working activity to accommodate these needs with sufficient wages to provide for them. Once basic physiological requirements are met, employees can worry about imminent and future safety and security. They need to feel safe in their work environment. They cannot reach maximum effectiveness or efficiency when they feel they need to constantly check their back and scan their surroundings for fear of potential threats. Physical threats and relative comfort about job security can be alleviated by security guards, cameras, and responsive management personnel. Social needs are the next step. People have a need to be included as a member of a community. People in the workforce will feel more like a team if they participate in team building events. Furthermore, a comfortable working environment that is pleasant and promotes team goals and group accomplishments will help to establish the feeling of teamwork. The fourth step is made up of esteem needs. Staffers need to feel appreciated and highly valued as individuals. They want to feel like they are doing vital and important work for their employer. Human social status is often defined by people's jobs and the recognition that they receive from performing their job. Business managers can help fulfill that need of their staff by giving out awards and other recognition for outstanding individual accomplishments. The fifth and last step is self-actualization. This is where people can reach their full potential. When a person is self-aware they can make long term goals, think abstractly, and contemplate personal satisfaction. A person can then decide how to obtain personal and career growth and complete their goals. A business manager can address this need with mentor programs, encouraging education, and offering job progression and advancement opportunities. Daiv Russell is a management and marketing consultant with Envision Web Marketing. Read more Articles about Small Business Management, learn about Abraham Harold Maslow and Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
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