Posted on January 8, 2019

In 1943 Abraham Maslow proposed that individuals have five basic needs, arranged in a hierarchy from lowest to highest they are physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization.  David McClelland focused on a needs-based theory which proposed that individuals have three basic needs: the need for achievement, the need for affiliation, and the need for power.  The needs described in both these theories are often used by managers during the motivation and goal-setting process with employees.

Why do you believe it is important to understand the needs of your employees?  How will this benefit the organization?
As a manager what are the basic needs that could be fulfilled by the organization if the Maslow theory is used?  What are the needs that fall in line with the McClelland theory?
How can the needs listed be turned into motivation to help the employee succeed?