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For example, the money can be strong
motivator, but only on the short run. Once the
employee got a raise he/she will be motivated, but
soon new salary level is not the source of
motivation, due to adoption to a new level.
In
order to understand the full scope of complexity of
human motivation, Abraham Maslow developed theory of
hierarchy of needs. This hierarchy of needs, also
called Maslow's hierarchy of needs, or simply
Maslow's theory, is trying to
group the various motivators in different groups.
These groups of hierarchy of needs starts with the
basic needs, like breathing and survival, until the
top level needs like morale or creativity. Abraham
Maslow developed this hierarchy of needs and
graphically he presented it in a form of a pyramid.
Physiological
level is the base level of motivators of
hierarchy of needs within Maslow's theory. This segment covers breathing,
food, water, excretion, sex, and sleep. Except
the last two, a working environment that
assures that these needs are satisfied can positively
influence the employees.
Safety
level is the next level of Maslow's hierarchy of
needs. This group of need covers personally safety,
employment security, health and property. This
segment is very important. If employee is not feel
safe in the future of his job, his morale will decrease.
Furthermore, if employee feels that his health and
life are not safe at work, than it is not reasonable
to expect the optimal performance of such employee.
The employer needs to take care about basic safety
elements, in order to satisfy employee safety needs.
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Belonging
and love is the next level of hierarchy of needs
in the Maslow's theory. This group contains the need of belonging to
group, family and sexual contact. From perspective
of employer, building of friendly environment
that builds the team spirit is the way of satisfying
this need of employees. That will raise employee’s
satisfaction.
Esteem
is the next level on Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of
needs. It covers self-esteem, achievements,
self-confidence and mutual respect. The employee
that is appreciated and that appreciate others, the
one that feel that his work is contributing to the
company and his career will be motivated in his job.
Self-actualization
is the top level of hierarchy of needs and contains
the morale, creativity, openness and clear mildness.
As
we see the working environment of every position is
influencing most of the needs from the hierarchy of
needs. The employer can directly influence
motivators of employee by providing the right
environment. On contrary, the employee that does not
feel safe, respected and healthy on his position is
not the one that will bring results.
Therefore,
the employer should design every position, office,
procedures, processes, culture and future that will
satisfy the Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The
hierarchy of needs should be the guideline for
building healthy working environment. The Maslow's
hierarchy of needs can be a good checklist for
design of every position and a way of solving any
problem of employee motivation.
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