1. ) Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory is based on a pyramid of five needs. The only way you can reach the top is by starting at the bottom and fulfilling each need. The list starts with physiological needs, safety needs, social needs, esteem needs, and finally self-actualization. Maslow said that most people do not reach self-actualization. Physiological needs are the basics of survival, such as food, oxygen, water, and sleep. Safety needs are not only physical safety needs but also employment, resources, morality, family, health and property. Social needs are where the desire for strong relationships comes into play.
This includes friendships and family. Esteem needs is confidence, self-esteem, achievement, respect of others and respect by others. Finally, self-actualization is morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, and lack of prejudice. 2. ) Google is a well-known company, to say the least. Their mission statement is to organize the world‘s information and make it universally accessible and useful. This is a very challenging mission because the technology and advancements are constantly changing and improving. This means that the employees of Google need to be creative, spontaneous, risk takers, and problem solvers.
According to Maslow, these traits develop once a person has satisfied the other more basic needs. Google has done an amazing job to satisfy these needs and has created a working environment that enhances creativity. Physiological needs are met very well at Google. It has four cafes that each provides three meals a day, as well as over 100 different snacks around campus. There are four gyms on campus that keep the employees healthy and an on campus doctor, yoga and massage therapy is available. Google is highly focused on employee social needs. Their campus is built in a way to accentuate social interaction.
All offices are for at least two people. The buildings themselves are built with glass walls, high ceilings, lots of natural light and broad open areas. There are a lot of group activities that employees are encouraged to take part in like volleyball, pool and foosball tables, video game rooms and community hang out areas. The campus is very large, but has a small homey feel. The main source of transportation on campus is the bicycle. This mode of transportation not only gets the employee from point A to point B faster than walking, but allows you to talk to other employees along the way and pump some endorphins to boost morale.
The founders of Google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin started this company with the thought of changing the world, but doing it comfortably and in a fun way. They have managed to create a world-wide company, and yet continue to keep the small-business charm. One way of satisfying the esteem needs of their employees is by holding a weekly all-hands meeting where the company comes together to meet with and Sergey to discuss matters at hand and keep all employees informed. Both Larry and Sergey do an excellent job of encouraging and supporting their employees’ great work. We know that every employee has something important to say, and that every employee is integral to our success. ” With this attitude it’s no wonder that so many people want to work for Google. They are fed, work in a close community, are encouraged and supported, and have the opportunity to be creative and try new things. Google’s philosophy is stated in their list called “Ten Things. ” The first one says: “Focus on the user and all else will follow. ” One of the aspects of Maslow’s esteem needs is to respect others. Having Google focus on the user develops a respect for them.
Their job is to improve search quality for all different types of users. This is one reason why Google has a wide variety of employees. The diversity not only helps the creativity but also the ability to solve different types of problems. The last step in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is self-actualization. If the other needs are not met this cannot be satisfied. In the case of Google, this is the most important need. Google is all about creativity and problem solving. This is why the campus is setup in a way to satisfy the other needs with cafes and gyms, and open, communicative work spaces.
Having the campus set up in this ways allows for constant dialogue and exchange of ideas. Most of rooms within the Google campus have at least one white board in order to post ideas and start conversation. 3. ) In order to create a creative and successful company employees need have basic needs met, need to feel like they are a part of a community, and know that they are respected and respect others as well. Once these are met the creativity, problem solving skills, spontaneity, and morality become a part of the company culture.
Clearly, Google does a wonderful job with meeting the needs of its employees in order to produce and create new products and techniques. And this is just one example of a company that knows how to motivate and encourage their employees to do their absolute best. Google. (2011). Corporate Information. Retrieved from http://www. google. com/intl/en/corporate/index. html Heylighen, F. (1992). A cognitive-systemic reconstruction of Maslow’s theory of self-actualization. Behavioral Science, 37(1), 39. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
