What The Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter", the theme song from Cheers, and RTW have in common, Part II

Last week's post addressed Maslow's needs of Biological, Safety and Belongingness.  Picking up where we left off, here are the last two...

Esteem Needs

Esteem is the human desire to be respected, valued and accepted by others.  Independence is closely tied with self-esteem.  Not until an individual has satisfied their basic biological, safety and belongingness needs, will they be able to focus their efforts on striving for more, achieving more and gaining status among the group.

How can an employer help satisfy this need?

Employers should treat employees, injured or non-injured, with respect and provide them with the opportunity to return to modified duty.  Transitioning an injured worker from restricted to unrestricted work increases a sense of responsibility, control and independence. Without support of esteem needs, learned helplessness may develop, leading an injured worker to lose a sense of accountability, ownership and ability to influence their own situation, despite being given opportunities to do so.

Self-actualization Needs

From 1980-2001, the Army’s recruitment slogan was “Be all you can be.”   It’s about personal growth and performing at your peak.  I highly doubt that any of us will ever reach our peaks in all areas of our lives, as the bar will continuously be raised, just out of reach.  Self-actualization is reached when a person's mental and physical needs are met, enabling an individual to operate at their maximum potential.  Think of it as the best "you" that you can be.

How can an employer help satisfy this need?

Employers play a key role in providing employees with opportunities for growth, advancement, and fostering potential in their employees.  Take the skills of an injured worker and allow them to be used as a modified duty option.  Cross-train employees in various departments to help improve their skills and knowledge within the organization.  By improving an employee’s skills, you’re improving the competitiveness of your company.  After all, your employees are your most valuable asset.

While this is an extrapolated and somewhat diluted take on Maslow’s theory, there is a relationship between employee motivation and returning an injured worker to wellness after a work related injury.  There has been much debate and criticism of Maslow’s "Theory of Motivation," but it remains one of the most widely referenced theories on human motivation, from introductory psychology courses, to risk management books, to political activism.