ABSTRACT
Abraham Maslow originally published his theory of individual development and motivation in 1943. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is usually shown as a tiered range operating through five main levels, starting at the lowest level and working through each level to fulfil the top level of ‘self-actualisation’. There are five main stages within Maslow’s model, starting at the lowest level: Physiological needs, Safety needs, Love needs, Esteem needs and Self-actualisation needs. Although Maslow’s hierarchy is relatively universal there are differences in an individual’s motivation dependent on their culture. The theory has stood the test of time and provides the basis for several other related motivational theories. The model can also be extended beyond a leadership application to consider the motivations of customers and suppliers from a relationship management perspective.
