Abraham Maslow had an impact upon me as a student and as a leader of people. Breaking down the components of what motivates human beings to seek fulfillment in all aspects of their lives has been of interest to me over the course of my career.
To perform jobs, workers require core physiological needs being met: clean air; water; sustenance; and proper rest between work. A safe and secure work environment reduces injury and can reduce absenteeism and contribute to overall productivity. Inclusion is an important social need within the work environment. Humans are social – facilitating development contributes to social needs. Esteem needs are often met through recognition and accomplishments. Fair and published recognition programs are motivators. Self-actualization is the pinnacle of the pyramid. Respect, empathy, humility are often characteristic of these employees.
There is much talk about Corporate Culture and what drives it. We have “cultural fit interviews”, we engage with communication to bring people together toward a common goal/purpose, we create “meaningful experiences”, we ensure people are safe and look out for one another, we encourage risk-taking without fear of penalty, we provide training – the list goes on and on.
After working in six continents over the course of my career, cultural nuance is a vital consideration in a global marketplace. How people respond to theories and concepts impacts the ultimate impact of initiatives. When we take the time to understand the complexity of people’s perspectives, strategic focus incorporating tactical possibilities can lead to real results.
As the year draws to a close, it is a perfect time to consider working “on the business”. What does that mean for you/your company? Who is available within your organization to work on the business? How are measurements handled within your organization today? Have you determined what I call a “viability” performance review – in short, do you evaluate your corporate culture’s impact to the ROI of your business?
As the year draws to a close, consider taking stock of the Basic, Psychological and Self-Actualization Needs of your company and employees to ensure goals can be pursued and achieved with a strong ROI.
Contingency planning at home and work benefits people in measurable and profound ways. The Living Planner supports proactive resources and comprehensive business and individual/family contingency planning. Contact us to learn more about how we work with individuals, business owners and employees via Email or online @ The Living Planner
–Lynn