Have you encountered situations when fresh team members reactions about anything strategic was very discouraging?. I had to…not just from the freshers but from even middle level managers. They were unable to resonate with strategy and strategic thinking. I even thought that there is something wrong with my ideas. Then I came across the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs which helped me to relate better with the stakeholders of my project, which includeed the project team as well. Apart from Ken Blanchard’s situational leadership model, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs also help to fine tune the leadership style.
Let us delve deep into Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
As shown in the diagram, the Maslow’s hierarchy comprises of;
- Basic needs
- Physiological needs
- Safety needs
- Psychological needs
- Belonging and love needs
- Esteem needs
- Self fulfillment needs
- Doing what they really want to do
Freshers in a team will be operating within the basic needs. What is really appealing to them would be more money, hygiene factors, job security and safety etc. Mostly, those in the middle management positions will be at the ‘Psychological needs’ level. At this level, monetary benefits may not matter that much. Prestige, accomplishment and deep bonding with others are key. The senior managers operates at the self actualization level.
Based on these motivators, leaders can adopt styles to get the best out of the stakeholders.