Classifying Motivational Needs
While there exist several useful definitions of motivation, for our purposes we will define it as an individual's desire to do something based upon a need. When a person is confronted with a need (either perceived or actual), he or she usually is motivated to perform specific actions for some sort of gratification. Once a particular need has been satisfied, the motivation to continue the actions diminishes and remains at "zero level" until the need arises again. In order to fully appreciate this phenomenon, we must further examine motivational theory and analyze the unique characteristics of individual needs.
THE THREE ZONES
BASIC OR SURVIVAL ZONE: This zone comprises the basic needs for most individuals, including needs such as air, water, food, and shelter. When evaluating these needs, it is important to think of them in a very fundamental sense and not as influenced by the personal tastes and desires of individuals. For example, a glass of water and a bottle of rare Italian wine taste quite different, yet both will quench a thirst. We tend to take these need-satisfactions for granted until they are taken from us. Under normal circumstances, needs classified within the basic or survival zone are usually well-satisfied for the average person. The perception of these needs is rather short-lived, and such needs are easily satisfied. The desire for these short-lived needs, once satisfied, will diminish only to return when the need resurfaces.
SAFETY OR SECURTIY ZONE: At a higher level are a cluster of related needs connected to our own safety and security. Within this zone, all of us have needs such as being reasonably secure in our daily job. While the majority of needs in this zone are common to all, it is interesting to note that their effect on individuals can vary widely. For example, a 45-year-old supervisor would probably be vitally interested in the organization's pension/retirement plan, while an 18-year-old new employee might perceive the year-end bonus as far more important. The key variable is how an individual perceives a given situation, not what someone else believes to be true.
RELATIONSHIP OR EGO ZONE: It is widely accepted that needs within this zone are the most complex and are not as easily satisfied as either basic/survival or as safety/security needs. In this broad area, we find the following kinds of relationship needs that fulfill our own ego requirements. Examples of relationship needs include: --Need for a personal sense of importance. --Need for belonging and acceptance from others. --Need for achievement. --Need to be loved and cared for. --Sense of identity.
While all of these needs can vary in intensity among individuals, it is important to bear in mind that we all seek need-fulfillment in these areas. Furthermore, need-satisfaction in the relationship/ego zone is sought not only in the business world but in social situations as well. The extent to which an individual perceives need-fulfillment in this zone directly impacts upon his/her mental well-being and will ultimately have a corresponding impact upon job performance. Recognizing the perception factor can directly aid in the complex process of managing others in the workplace.
Our need level within each zone is heavily influenced by either external factors which directly impact us or by our own perception. We can convert this information for use in supervisory management in the following way. External stimuli are factors over which we have little or no control that impact upon our lives in the workplace. Conversely, one's own perception of the situation may be influenced by others (e.g., the supervisor at work), and hence should be thoroughly understood by all those who manage others in the work environment.
Copyright AE Schwartz & Associates All rights reserved. For additional presentation materials and resources: ReadySetPresent and for a Free listing as a Trainer, Consultant, Speaker, Vendor/Organization: TrainingConsortium
CEO, A.E. Schwartz & Associates, Boston, MA., a comprehensive organization which offers over 40 skills based management training programs. Mr. Schwartz conducts over 150 programs annually for clients in industry, research, technology, government, Fortune 100/500 companies, and nonprofit organizations worldwide. He is often found at conferences as a key note presenter and/or facilitator. His style is fast-paced, participatory, practical, and humorous. He has authored over 65 books and products, and taught/lectured at over a dozen colleges and universities throughout the United States.
Latest News
Single Source Introduces New Advanced Quote Management (AQM)(TM ... MarketWatch - All functions seamlessly integrate to the inherent back-office financials, inventory, purchasing and management reporting functionality of SM-Plus-meeting ... KANA Recognized by Leading Industry Publications for Innovation ... |
 BBC News | ECONOMIC REPORT Global manufacturing gauges collapse in November MarketWatch - ... of price pressures hit an all-time low, according to a survey of corporate purchasing managers released Monday by the Institute for Supply Management. ... Manufacturing index drops to 26-year low Manufacturing index at 26-year low Manufacturing hits 26-year low |
 CharlotteObserver.com | Construction Spending Reflects Economic Slowdown New York Times, United States - The Institute for Supply Management’s monthly index of manufacturing activity fell to 36.2, from October’s 38.9. The reading is worse than Wall Street ... October construction spending drops 1.2 percent US manufacturing weakest since 1982 Construction spending fell again in October |
 WCBD | Price Tags on Partridges and Pear Trees: A Different CPI New York Times, United States - By Catherine Rampell For the last 24 years, PNC Wealth Management (or its predecessor, Provident Bank) has released this whimsical index, a measure of the ... Video: 12 Days of Christmas' Items Would Cost $86,609 '12 Days of Christmas' items would cost $86609 Twelve Days of Christmas would cost $21000 |
AGC and LCM Declare Dividends MarketWatch - a diversified closed-end management investment company, has declared its December monthly dividend of $0.0664 per share, reflecting a reduction of $0.0286 ... AGC and LCM Declare Dividends Madison Strategic Sector Premium Fund (MSP) Declares Quarterly ... PPR - $.0340 November Dividend |
 Reuters | AIG sells wealth management unit to Abu Dhabi group International Herald Tribune, France - NEW YORK: American International Group, the troubled insurance giant, said Monday that it had agreed to sell its wealth management provider AIG Private Bank ... AIG Sheds A Private Bank UPDATE 1-AIG to sell AIG Private Bank to UAE's Aabar AIG to Sell Private Bank to Aabar |
Updated Information Regarding Auction Preferred Securities Market ... MarketWatch - BOSTON, Dec 01, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- MFS Investment Management(R) (MFS) today announced the availability of information on the results of the weekly ... |
Lincoln Financial Group Announces New Senior Management Committee ... International Business Times, NY - She will also serve as amember of the firm's Senior Management Committee. Bettinger-Buckingham joins Lincoln Financial with more than 20 years ofexperience ... |
Gideon Technologies CEO To Give Unified Compliance Management ... MarketWatch - Unified Compliance Management simplifies this complex problem. "The combination of a holistic centralized view of the network, unified and continuous ... |
Research and Markets: Training Management Maturity Model: A ... MarketWatch - How effective is your current training management system? What do you need to do to improve it? Find out with this best practice model and set of assessment ... Research and Markets: Fundamentals of Quality Control and ... |
Resources
-
AdWords | Google AdWords | 21 Ways to Maximize ROI by Andrew Goodman
Get the original Google AdWords handbook by Andrew Goodman. This 155-page e-book is packed with advanced tips to help you maximize your AdWords campaigns. Download and get free December 2005 update.
-
Reservation software for Hotels, Motels, Bed and breakfast
Reservation software for Hotels, Motels, Bed and breakfast
-
Restaurant Checklists: restaurant menu design, cafe training, business plans, restaurant marketing a
Full package of restaurant information including restaurant menu design, training, restaurant business plans, restaurant marketing and Management forms and templates
-
Castlemelody.com: Web design and creative design of graphics
Web design with content Management system for dynamic and flexible websites.
-
...MySoftwareTemplates.com high-quality Microsoft Word templates for Software
Development, Proposal
Write successful Proposals, White Papers, Case Studies with slick templates, checklist and forms.
-
Living Within Your Means - The Easy Way!
"
-
PARENTING TOOLS to design the family of your dreams! What does your dream family look like?
Powerful tools for parenting, anger Management, and creative blocks!
-
Productivity. Improve business productivity through work measurement and method study.
Set of resources to improve worker, workplace and office productivity. Learn to measure productivity, calculate a productivity index and construct a total factor productivity index. Resources include team productivity and employee productivity.
-
Construction Information Services - Construction Management
Construction Information Services include Construction Management ebooks - Construction Software - Articles - Firm directories - Forecasting and Trends of the building industry
-
Landlord Property Management Rental Guide
Looking to manage your own rental property? Use our beginners guide for landlords and rental property investors!