The best-known theory of motivation is Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The theory hypothesizes that within every human being there is a hierarchy of five needs. Includes hunger, thirst, shelter, sex, and other bodily needs. Security and protection from physical and emotional harm. Affection, belongingness, acceptance, and friendship.

Internal factors such as self-respect, autonomy, and achievement, and external factors such as status, recognition, and attention. Drive to become what we are capable of becoming; includes growth, achieving our potential, and self-fulfillment. According to Maslow, as each need becomes satisfied, the next one becomes dominant. To motivate someone, you need to understand what level that person is currently on and focus on satisfying needs at or above that level.

Maslow’s theory has received long-standing wide recognition, particularly among practicing managers. It is intuitively logical and easy to understand, and some research has validated it. Unfortunately, however, most research does not, and it hasn’t been frequently researched since the 1960s. But old theories, especially intuitively logical ones, die hard. It is important to be aware of the public acceptance of the hierarchy when discussing motivation.