Maslow's needs hierarchy applies to nearly all spheres of life, but none more so than the business world. Individuals are at such staggered phases of existence that the chances for tension are of serious alarm in business. Whereas a member of management may possibly have attaind the self-actualization stratum with a wife and children, an entry-level employee might barely be striving to acquire their first residence.

The vast difference between employees of unique stages of the Maslow hierarchy of needs is most easily shown by the previous case. The stress level of someone who is barely making do, having anxiety with their physiological in addition to safety needs is of inordinate concern. Someone experiencing that much stress may well have their job begin to worsen.

There are three basic needs one must meet in order to provide focus in the workplace; having secured a dwelling, loving family, and sufficient amount of money to provide for the basics. Usually if you have these basic needs you will excel over others without them. This makes it easier to focus during a normal workday.

It is for this reason that it is in the best interests of businesses to hire employees through a vigorous interview process who have the most stable life environment. Taking into account the Maslow theory, staffers should attempt to hire more employees in the self-actualization and esteem stages. Employees in both these stages tend to have others most clearly in mind while working.

Esteem stage employees benefit businesses because their main desire is to gain attention and respect from those around them. They gain this attention and respect by providing quality work and maintaining excellent relationships with other employees. Their competitive drive allows them to excel at their jobs and any kind of workplace competition increases quality performance and workplace cohesion.

Employees in the self-actualization stage are also useful employees. These employees are focused on the task at hand. They have a calmer demeanor, knowing their self-worth and not having the lesser of life's struggles bearing down on them. Also, since people do not stay in a single stage, and my slide back down the pyramid, it is better to have someone who is still high enough on the pyramid, even with a backslide, who will still be a confident, efficient worker.

The business world can benefit from a Maslow-like overhaul of its practices. If carefully studied, we'll see that employees with greater focus and competency mean a more successful business. It naturally follows that the quickest and most efficient route to success is to recruit members from the top tier of Maslow's hierarchy.

Daiv Russell is a management and marketing consultant with Envision Web Promotion. Read more Management Articles, learn about Abraham H. Maslow and the Maslow theory.

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