Content theories mainly help to identify the exact needs that one has. Understanding the needs of people is very paramount because they are different and therefore their needs may be different. Managers are advised to understand their employees to identify their needs. The exact needs will give the manager a way to motivate them and therefore increase their performance of their duties. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has explained well the categories of needs in someone’s life (Kanfer, 1990). Process theories mainly show the process that one takes to be motivated. Once the needs have been identified there is a process that they go through in the motivation process. The understanding of this process will help the manager know what the best way to motivate an employee (Kanfer, 1990).
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs includes the following needs: physiological needs, esteem, safety, social needs and self-actualization. Self-actualization and esteem are the needs needed for personal growth (Kanfer, 1990). Social needs, safety and physiological needs are needed because they are considered basic needs in a person life. Self-actualization is when a person learns and understands themselves. It involves a person realizing their full potential and working towards it. A person that knows their full potential, they tend to work towards it and act as a motivation to them (Kanfer, 1990).
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An employee who understands their career potential is an asset at the place of work because they will ensure that they execute their duties efficiently and accordingly. Esteem is another of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that is considered a potential growth need. Esteem is the confidence that a person possesses (Kanfer, 1990). It involves a person’s faith in themselves and their ability to live according to their self-believe in achieving the best. An employee with high esteem is always motivated to work hard to achieve their personal and organizational goals. The employee is often considered an asset to the organization and managers should look out for such employees to strengthen the company (Kanfer, 1990).
Social needs are in the basic needs of the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The social needs include friendship and relationships with fellow friends, co-workers and neighbors. The relationships that people have are important and help give employees peace and people to socialize with (Kanfer, 1990). Safety is also another basic need because it is critical when employees feel safe both at the place of work and at home. It gives them peace and they can comfortably work hard and are motivated to work hard. Physiological needs are also an essential need in an individual’s life. It includes water, shelter and clothing. Such needs satisfy a person always making them feel comfortable and can be motivated to work hard at the place of work.
Reference
Kanfer, R. (1990). Motivation theory and industrial and organizational psychology. Handbook of industrial and organizational psychology , 1 (2), 75-130.
