What a man can be, he must be. Abraham Maslow.
This quote, from a 1943 paper by the famed psychologist is still taught in management courses today. Personally, I use it when I lead management development and leadership training courses with organizations around the country. While the mere mention of it causes eye-rolling in my audience, the principles I believe are relevant today.
The Reader's Digest version of it follows:
As humans, we move through life in search of having needs
fulfilled. The needs begin at the basic, physiological levels and move up
through safety, social, esteem, and finally self-actualization.
Self-actualization is the toughest to define. The quote at the top of the
page is the definition Maslow himself coined. It's up to such intense
levels of debate these days by a wide variety of groups that suddenly Maslow
seems relevant yet again (figuratively of course since he died in 1970).
Actually I wanted to focus on the basic premise of "search mode". According to the theory, if there is any challenge to a level of need or it's actually been lost, humans shift focus and try to recapture the level. This can be an ugly thing as we see it now played out in the ruins of Haiti as people riot after days without food, clothing, and shelter. The same behavior is seen in organizations when there are rumors of layoffs. "Search mode" is not quite that intense but you'll find people hunkering down, not wanting to make waves or produce out of fear for their jobs.
So what does this mean for you?
As a manager, you'll need to tune into the needs of your people. Whether you believe Maslow or not, people are moving targets when it comes to how they experience needs. People are at all different stages and times in their lives. Personally, I woke up this morning feeling good and then when I opened my Facebook page, I read of the death of one of my childhood best friends, Brian Griset. Right now I feel really deflated. If I was going to lead a workshop today, it would no doubt be a struggle to have a lot of energy. Keep tuned into your people to find out what needs they have and do your best to try and satisfy them.
Personally, it's a good idea to track where you are on the hierarchy. Take stock of where you are in your work/life balance. If there is a chance you job is going away, see what you can do to build immediate value and guarantee you'll dodge the pink slip. Reflect on what self-actualization looks like for you and take steps to work towards it. It could be a spiritual end-state or just a really Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG if you attended one of my keynotes or workshops).
Hopefully this tip will make you think today. I know I have.





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