Abraham Maslow first published his paper in the Psychological Review in 1943, which brought up the interesting theory that basic needs must first be met before one reaches the pinnacle of happiness and harmony. He lists five motivators, that once met individually, you can then move "up" to the next level and set of motivators.
1) Physiological Needs
* water
* air
* food
These are defined as your basic needs for survival and human necessities and once met, you are able to move to the next motivator.
2) Safety Needs
* security
* savings
* insurance
Safety needs are met when the basic needs are also secure in the future as well as the here and now. Once you feel comfortable that all is well and secure in your immediate future, then you will seek out more fulfilling activities.
3) Social Needs
* group activities
* love
* joining clubs
This is when you feel comfortable focusing on more than just job related activities. You are motivated to have a more active social life complete with friends and community.
4) Esteem Needs
* self respect
* prestige
* recognition
Once you move past social needs, you start seeking out recognition for your accomplishments thus far. According to Maslow, once you move past this point, you finally move on to the top of the pyramid.
5) Self -Actualization
* realize full potential
* accomplish results
* give unselfishly
This level is never complete, it always room for growth and challenges along the way. At this stage, you achieve full happiness and harmony in your life and work which will motivate you to accept and create challenges.
Maslow theorized that once each of these needs were met, they were no longer a motivator, and one could move on to the next level, and ultimately reach the fulfilling fifth level. He later modified his pyramid with an addition between the Esteem level and Self Actuation level that included creativity and surrounding yourself with beauty.
Certainly, there is a common sense approach to his theory, and when thought upon, you realize that if someone is consumed with the basic needs of life, then it would be difficult to move on to group activities and appreciation of the arts, much less act in the best interest of the motivator. However, once you move past the basics, the Maslow theory of motivation lends little to the notion that people are motivated by different things. Not everyone is motivated to join group activities or pursue love, but it doesn't make them any less motivated to accomplish growth at work.
