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Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Definition

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory that categorizes human needs into five levels, from basic survival needs to self-actualization, asserting that lower-level needs must be satisfied before higher ones can be addressed. It is used in business to understand employee motivation and how to foster an environment where workers can achieve their full potential.

Analogy

Imagine climbing a ladder where each rung represents a different need level. You must securely step on the first rung (basic physiological needs like food and water) before you can reach the next one (safety), and so on up the ladder until you reach the top (self-actualization). Just as you can't skip rungs on a ladder without risking a fall, employees cannot truly focus on higher-order needs if their basic ones are unmet.

Related terms

Physiological Needs: These are the most basic human survival needs, such as food, water, and shelter, which are fundamental for sustaining life.

Self: Actualization - This is the highest level in Maslow’s hierarchy, representing the realization or fulfillment of one's talents and potentialities, often considered as a drive or need present in everyone.

Motivation: The process that initiates, guides, and maintains goal-oriented behaviors; it's what causes us to act or engage in particular behaviors