Maslow, Self-Actualization and The Need To Be Excellent

Ah...Maslow. He did more than just study the psychology of human behavior - in particular, basic human needs.

The characteristics he studied were the results of 20 years of study of people who had the "full use and exploitation of talents, capacities, potentialities, etc.."

Self-actualization implies the attainment of the basic needs of physiological, safety/security, love/belongingness, and self-esteem.




His work also transfers well to people needs within organizations, as depicted in this chart:

BOTTOMLINE: When the four basic needs have been satisfied, the growth need or self-actualization need arises: A new discontent and restlessness will develop unless the individual is doing what he individually is fitted for.

A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, a leader must lead -- in short, what people can be -- they must be.