We’re all familiar with the standard human needs of food, water, and shelter. But professional success as a leader requires that your most important psychological needs are being met on a regular basis.
So what are your most important needs? And are they being met in the course of your professional life? How do you know?
Recent research by Dr. Steven Reiss has identified 16 universal human needs that are essential to a fulfilling life are a reflection of what people want. They are:
- Acceptance, the need for approval
- Beauty, the need for aesthetically-appealing environment
- Curiosity, the need to understand
- Eating, strength of interest in food
- Expedience, motivation to take practical advantage of opportunities
- Family, the need to spend time with family
- Idealism, the need to improve society
- Interdependence, motivation to rely on others
- Order, the need to be organized
- Physical Activity, the need for exercise
- Power, the need to lead
- Saving, the need to collect
- Social Contact, the need for friends
- Status, the need for prestige
- Tranquility, the need to play it safe
- Vengeance, strength of competitive spirit
Although some would add spirituality to the list, Dr. Reiss believes that spirituality is an all-encompassing choice that surpasses the 16 needs.
What makes individuals unique is the combination and ranking of these motivations. Although everyone exhibits all 16 basic needs, individuals prioritize them differently.
From a professional perspective, understanding your fundamental motivations is key to matching your needs to your actions and goals. It stands to reason that if your needs are getting met, you’ll be able to tap into your internal resources more readily, better focus on your responsibilities, and enjoy your work more.
Now who wouldn’t want that?
The question for you is this: what are YOUR needs?
By Joe Scherrer | The Leadership Crucible