There are many methods used to motivate the teams. However, you may still hear some complaints. Are the right motivational tools being used? Let’s apply Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to lean deployment and see what can be done.

1. APPLYING MASLOW’S
HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
THEORY TO LEAN
DEPLOYMENT

2.  Abraham Maslow, who at the age of 35 wrote a paper titled A Theory of
Human Motivation, was an American psychologist . In his study, he classified
the factors of human motivation.
 He described that the path to self-actualization was intrinsically tied to
our basic human needs and how well they are fulfilled. He shares the full
theory at his book Motivation and Personality that was released at 1954.
 In his theory, he claims that as humans satisfy the basic needs, they seek
to satisfy successively higher needs in the form of the pyramid. The
depiction of pyramid is often used with five levels. The lower stage’s
satisfaction level stands as a prerequisite for higher levels.
When we think about organizations, there are many methods used to
motivate the teams. However, you may still hear some complaints. Are the
right motivational tools being used? Let’s apply Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
to lean deployment and see what can be done.

3. Level 1: Physiological Needs
The physiological needs of the human beings,
take first priority, due to their necessity for
human survival.
In order to meet the physiological needs ,
food and water supply must be at convenience
with healthy ingredients.
Ensure that the physiological needs are also
met with the compensations(earn the living).
In order to stabilize the work-private life
balance, respect private lives and give enough
time for rest and let them work only for the
working hours.
Ensure that the work place is at the right
temperature with good air conditioning, clean,
quiet enough, ergonomic, the supply of
necessary infrastructure is
available(desk/computer..) and there is
adequate space for everyone.

4. Level 2: Safety/Security Needs
When physiological needs are met, the
person will seek for safety needs.
These needs will be met with safety and
health risk analysis, existing compliance rules,
responsibility matrixes with clear work
instructions, written guidelines, procedures and
undertaken performance evaluations at least
twice a year.

5. Level 3: Love/Belonging Needs
 After physiological and safety needs are fulfilled, the need
for love/belonging needs emerge .
 This involves emotionally-based relationships in general
and involve a need for acceptance.
In this step, the team actually seeks for being and feeling a
part of the organization.
To ensure that, share the status of the organization at
recurring meetings, openly exchange information and
knowledge.
Let the team take part at the work groups, promote
collaboration across functional, departmental and locational
borders.
Create a vision, mission, long&short term targets and
break down to individual levels.
Create a motto that will enhance the sense of team spirit.
 When you meet someone, look in the eyes as if you have
seen a friend, shake hands and smile.
Create social bonds and team spirit with organization’s
hobby/leisure clubs or social events.
People love their working place when they cope with less
problems and obstacles. Therefore encourage and sustain a
continuous improvement culture.

6. Level 4: Self-Esteem Needs
According to Maslow, all humans have a need to
be respected, to have self-respect, and to respect others.
People need recognition and need to take over an
activity where they will feel a sense of personal
accomplishment and self-value.
In order to sustain self –esteem, handle ideas and
proposals from others in a constructive manner.
Give projects to your team with the opportunity to take
initiative and let them contribute their own ideas and
achieve the target by themselves.
Give them sufficient freedom to let them achieve the
goals that have been set for them.
Encourage your team to present innovative ideas and
improvement suggestions.
Treat them with respect, no matter what job they
perform.
Sufficiently praise, reward and recognize their
work(monetary or non-monetary).
Choose employee of the(…).
Give them fair feedback regarding their work .

7. Level 5 Self-Actualization Needs
 As Maslow puts it:” Self Actualization is the
intrinsic growth of what is already in the
organism, or more accurately, of what the
organism is”.
It is the ultimate aim of life, striving to be the
best we can be.
Since it is an intrinsic feeling, organization
can only give coaching for this level.

8. APPLYING MASLOW’S
HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
THEORY TO LEAN
DEPLOYMENT
“If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail”. As Maslow puts it, there are many ways
to motivate people, we should not use only a “hammer” since the same type of solution do not solve every problem,
Thank you Eda Yılmaz
original post at: http://globalleansolutions.wordpress.com/posts/
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