Theories of Motivation (Maslow and Herzberg)

Theories of Motivation (Maslow and Herzberg) is one of the top theories which has its own concepts and got high impacts on business management. Their descriptions are given below:

Theories of Motivation by Maslow

It is one of the best known and most influential theories on workplace motivation. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. … From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs higher up. From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow first developed his famous theory of individual development and motivation in the 1940s. He suggested that human beings have a hierarchy of needs. That is, that all humans act in a way that will address basic needs, before moving on to satisfy other, so-called higher-level needs. Maslow represented this theory as a hierarchical triangle. This shows how basic needs must be met before one can “climb” the hierarchy, to address more complex needs. The important thing to recognize is Maslow’s contention that one’s sense of well-being. i.e. the ‘feelgood factor’ increases as the higher-level needs are met.

The Maslow motivation theory is typically represented by 5 steps:

1. Physiological needs – such as hunger, thirst, and sleep

2. Safety needs – such as security, protection from danger, and freedom from pain.

3. Social needs – sometimes also referred to as love needs such as friendship, giving and receiving love, engaging in social activities, and group membership.

4. Esteem needs – these include both self-respect and the esteem of others. For example, the desire for self-confidence and achievement, and recognition and appreciation.

5. Self-actualization – This is about the desire to develop and realize your full potential. To become everything you can be.

Theories of Herzberg

Herzberg’s Theory of Motivation tries to get to the root of motivation in the workplace. You can leverage this theory to help you get the best performance from your team.
The two factors identified by Herzberg are motivators and hygiene factors:

1. Motivating Factors
The presence of motivators causes employees to work harder. They are found within the actual job itself.

2. Hygiene Factors
The absence of hygiene factors will cause employees to work less hard. Hygiene factors are not present in the actual job itself but surround the job.
The impact of motivating and hygiene factors is summarized in the following diagram. Note that you will often see motivators referred to as factors for satisfaction, and hygiene factors referred to as factors for dissatisfaction.