Modern Whig Party of America Whig Academy Leadership Course Lesson 11: Understanding Needs

Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................... 3 In this Lesson................................................................................................................................ 3 Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory.......................................................................................... 3 Maslow Hierarchy of Needs: Growth and Deficiency Needs .................................................... 4 Maslow Hierarchy of Needs: Applying Maslow's Theory .......................................................... 4 Impact of Needs on Motivation .................................................................................................... 4 Impact of Needs on Motivation: Motivating Leader Behavior................................................... 5 Impact of Needs on Motivation: Non-Motivating Leader Behavior .......................................... 5 Key Points ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Review Exercises .......................................................................................................................... 6 Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 7

Introduction
Welcome to the lesson Understanding Needs. As a leader, you will need to interact with followers, peers, seniors, and other people whose support you need to accomplish your objectives. To gain their support, you must understand them and know how to motivate them. Together, we are going to explore basic needs of individuals and the impact of those needs on motivation.

In this Lesson
This lesson explains Maslows Hierarchy of Needs theory, growth and deficiency of needs, the impact of needs on motivation, and motivating and non-motivating leader behavior. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to: Describe Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory and how it applies to leadership. Identify the impact of needs on motivation.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory

Many motivation theories propose that human needs are the main driving force behind behavior. The underlying concept in all need-based theories is that a need when unsatisfied creates a state of internal disruption. In order to regain harmony, humans are energized to reduce the need. One of the most well-known theories of motivation is Abraham Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow identified five basic categories of needs that people seek to fulfill. These categories of needs range from the more fundamental basic needs to more advanced human needs that represent the uniqueness of mankind. Lets look at the five levels. Click on each level to learn more about Maslows Hierarchy of Needs. Self-actualization Self-actualization needs include the desires to achieve self-improvement, to develop ones potential to the fullest, to become everything that one is capable of becoming, and to fulfill ones life goals. Examples: Fulfillment of dreams and the feeling of making a difference. Esteem needs encompass the desires of people to have a stable, high evaluation of themselves. Coupled with that is the respect of other people. Examples: For some, awards and recognition add to their sense of self-esteem. Socialization needs deal with the need for friendship, affection, affiliation, and love, and are sometimes referred to as social needs. Examples: Family support groups, friends, Units, clubs, organizations, church, or neighbors. Safety and security needs are concerned with providing a safe and secure environment that is free from threats to ones existence. Examples: Job security, medical care, life insurance, or retirement. Physiological needs are the basic needs for the survival of the organism. Examples: Food, water, air, rest, and shelter.

Maslow Hierarchy of Needs: Growth and Deficiency Needs

Maslow argues that these needs are arranged in a hierarchy in which each lower level of need must be fulfilled to some degree of satisfaction before advancing to the next higher level of need. Maslow referred to lower order needs as deficiency needs and to higher level needs as growth needs. This distinction is the key to understanding Maslows theory. Deficiency Needs Growth Needs Deficiency Needs Deficiency needs will only motivate behavior when these needs go unmet. The less you have, the more you want and the more you will do to get it. People always want and notice what they cant have. Growth Needs Growth needs is those that continue to motivate behavior even when met. The more you get, the more you want and the more you will do to get it. For example, receiving recognition and praise from others usually increases the motivational force of esteem or growth needs.

Maslow Hierarchy of Needs: Applying Maslow's Theory

How does motivation tie into Maslows Theory? Motivation is influencing people by meeting their higher needs. Motivators face this dilemma: How do I get the other person to do what I want them to do? By giving them choices, people will choose the options that promise the greatest reward. That is their motivation. As a leader, you will have to motivate others according to the individual needs of your group.

Impact of Needs on Motivation

What are some reasons that motivate people to become volunteers or part of a group? Where on Maslow's theory pyramid would your find these motivators? Desire to help others. Desire to be part of a team. Desire to have a higher purpose. Desire to make friends and affiliations. Desire to develop new interests. Desire to develop new skills. Desire to have fun. As a leader be sure to plan ways to meet these needs for your group members. Answers: Desire to help others. = Self-actualization Desire to be part of a team. = Socialization Desire to have a higher purpose. = Self-actualization Desire to make friends and affiliations. = Socialization Desire to develop new interests. = Esteem Desire to develop new skills. = Esteem Desire to have fun. = Socialization

Impact of Needs on Motivation: Motivating Leader Behavior

There are many factors to take into consideration when leaders try to motivate others. Keep in mind it is essential that volunteers feel needed and appreciated. Without this motivation, volunteers will not continue to give of their time and energy. What are some behaviors that leaders could use to motivate others? Here are a few: Suggesting instead of dictating. Recognizing others rather than stealing credit. Praising versus non-acknowledgement.

Impact of Needs on Motivation: Non-Motivating Leader Behavior

Now think about some behaviors that do not motivate. Here are a few examples. Ordering instead of guiding or advising. Telling instead of asking. Micro-managing versus empowering. Criticizing rather than guiding.

Key Points
There are many factors to take into consideration when leaders try to understand and motivate others. Keep in mind it is essential that volunteers feel needed and appreciated. It is important in terms of motivating those volunteers to recognize their needs. By understanding Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, you will be better equipped to understand the needs of those around you.

Review Exercises
1. H e r e , put each level of Maslow Hierarchy of Needs theory is in its correct place on the pyramid. Choices are top, second from top, middle, second from bottom, bottom a. Self-actualization b. Esteem c. Socialization d. Safety e. Physiological

2. How does motivation relate to Maslow Hierarchy of Needs theory? Bold the correct answer a. You can motivate others by meeting their higher needs of esteem, and self actualization. b. Motivation can be accomplished upon meeting deficiency needs. c. Growth needs are not as important as deficiency needs when motivating others. d. There is no relationship between motivation and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory. 3. What are deficiency needs according to Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory? Bold all levels that apply. a. Physiological, Safety, Socialization. b. Esteem, Self-actualization.

4. Growth needs are those that continue to motivate behavior even when met. Which Maslow needs are considered growth needs? Bold the correct answer a. Socialization and esteem.

b. Socialization and self-actualization. c. Esteem and self-actualization. d. Socialization, esteem, and self-actualization.

5. Which is an example of a self-actualization need? Bold the correct answer a. A person's sense of self worth. b. The inner drive and desire which causes a person to attain high goals and self fulfillment. c. A secure home and workplace. d. Friendships, affection, affiliation, and love.

Summary
Congratulations! This completes the lesson Understanding Needs. In this lesson, you learned About Maslows Hierarchy of Needs theory, growth and deficiency of needs, the impact of needs on motivation, and motivating and non-motivating leader behavior. You should now be able to: Describe Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory and how it applies to leadership. Identify the impact of needs on motivation.

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