Increase Employee Motivation Through Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Human resource management pursue many tactics to help motivate employees on many levels. There are many “tried and true” approaches taken to motivating individuals. Still others look other sources for motivational sources. Henry Ford said: “Whatever you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right!” Abraham Lincoln said, “When you look for the bad in human kind expecting to find it you surely will.” People live up to the expectations they and others have of them, so employers should expect the best. Rewarding desired behavior and desired outcomes with rewards that enhance performance and motivate the employee further. Tailoring the reward to the work done is the most motivating factor it shows that there is thought behind the reward. Focusing on the employee’s strengths, and promoting high performance shows that employers know their employee’s strengths and weaknesses. Employers understand how to capitalize on the ways those employees learn as an alternative method of encouraging and motivating them (Buchbinder and Shanks).
Abraham Maslow was a psychologist who focused his studies on human potential. Maslow studies and experiences in improving mental health by seeking personal growth had a lasting influence on psychology. Maslow is best known for his theory of Hierarchy of Needs. The Hierarchy of Needs states that there are five levels of basic needs for all human being. The five levels include physiological, safety, social dynamics, esteem and self-actualization. (Cherry) Human resource managers can use Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to motivate their employees in several ways. Physiological needs are associated with the physical well-being of an individual such as the need for food, shelter medical care, insurance disability assistance and most importantly an income . Managers can offer employees training, and education that can help employees improve in their jobs. As employees excel in their skills they will be able to obtain higher pay.

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