According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, esteem and self-actualization are very important for an employee. Amanda Shank, an HR professional, notes that there are some companies where these basic needs are not met. The HR professional notes that it is crucial for owners to be involved in the process.
Shank believes top management and owners should respect employees and make them feel valued and appreciated. She stresses that she used to work at companies where employees were taken for granted and not appreciated. Amanda Shank emphasizes that employees are not motivated and they just remain in the company but they are reluctant to work harder. Finally, she notes that it is important for an employee to be able to express him/herself and to have a certain scope for creativity.
Admittedly, employees work for salaries. Better salaries make employees motivated as higher salaries increase their quality of life. It is very important for people to have money to pay the rent and be able to pay for things (or recreation) they need. However, it is not the most important factor in making employees motivated. Employees want to be respected and valued. For instance, Amanda Shank stresses that it is important for her to feel she has a say in the company.
The HR professional needs to feel a certain connection. She states that if she is disrespected or feels underappreciated in a company, she will try to find a better place. Shank also claims the company she is working for is a place where she feels connected, valued and, hence, motivated. At the same time, it is important to add that even a favorable atmosphere is not the most important factor. There should be a combination of both factors. People are ready to be paid slightly less but feel a part of the growth. However, if the salary is too low, people will be unable to pay the bills and will be forced to look for higher salaries.
Emily Griffin, assistant store leader, states that she has always thought retail is often something temporary for many people. Thus, people come to this sphere and soon go to other companies. Griffin says she never thought she could pursue her career in that sphere. One of the reasons why she is staying is that there is the opportunity to build her career and grow.
The assistant store leader also notes that there are lots of things to do and she likes that diverse challenge. Clearly, she is also motivated to stay as she feels connected and valued in the company. Emily stresses that the company is a team where employees feel connected. These factors make her stay in the company and work hard.
I would prefer to work at a global company as there are loads of opportunities to grow and self-develop. Small companies are often confined to a rather limited number of projects. I would like to feel appreciated, and I would like to have an opportunity to express myself and reveal my ideas. I understand that in many big companies top management fails to meet such employees’ needs like esteem and self-actualization.
Nonetheless, there are a lot of companies where employees are valued. It depends on the company’s culture and people who work as top managers. I believe there are quite many companies where employees are appreciated. Therefore, I would like to develop in a big (or rather multinational) company where top managers understand the importance of motivating employees.