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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: The Importance of Recognition

American Psychologist, Abraham Maslow, outlined a hierarchy of five levels of basic needs. Maslow believed fulfilling these needs helped sustain human behavior. When considering a recognition program, it is important to realize these basic needs.

The first two levels satisfy basic physiological needs: food, air, water and safety plus stability and economic security. It is the next three levels that deal with the psychological needs attached to our self-esteem and social development.

Social acceptance relates to the needs we have to feel recognized by loved ones and friends.

The personal esteem (EGO) level is where we find the need that we often touch with recognition programs. To feel worthy and valued, humans need recognition to grow as individuals. To meet this need, we put emphasis on awards, promotions, job titles, and overall recognition achievements. That is why it is important to honor your people with symbolic rewards, and give them confidence, stability, a high level of self-respect, and respect from others.

At the very top of our basic needs is self- actualization, which is the feeling we have to do what we are “born-to-do” and striving to always be better.

Recognition and Incentive programs also touch this need to help people aspire to greater levels of success.