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4

Maslow classified esteem needs into two categories: (i) esteem for oneself (dignity,
achievement, mastery, independence) and (ii) the desire for reputation or respect from others
(e.g., status, prestige). Esteem is the typical human desire to be accepted and valued by
others. People often engage in a profession or hobby to gain recognition, which gives them a
sense of contribution or value. Low self-esteem or an inferiority complex may result from
imbalances during this level in the hierarchy. Maslow indicated that the need for respect or
reputation is most important for children and adolescents and precedes real self-esteem or
dignity.

5. Self-actualization needs are the highest level in Maslow’s hierarchy, and refer to the
realization of a person’s potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth, and peak
experiences.
This level of need refers to what a person’s full potential is and the realization of that
potential.
Maslow (1943, 1987, p. 64) describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that
one can, and “to become everything one is capable of becoming”.
Individuals may perceive or focus on this need very specifically. For example, one individual
may have a strong desire to become an ideal parent.
In another, the desire may be expressed athletically. For others, it may be expressed in
paintings, pictures, or inventions.
Although Maslow did not believe that many of us could achieve true self-actualization, he did
believe that all of us experience transitory moments (known as ‘peak experiences’) of self-
actualization.
Such moments, associated with personally significant events such as childbirth, sporting
achievement and examination success), are difficult to achieve and maintain consistently.

When all of the foregoing needs are satisfied, then and only then are the needs for self-actualization
activated. Maslow describes self-actualization as a person's need to be and do that which the person
was "born to do." "A musician must make music, an artist must paint, and a poet must write." These
needs make themselves felt in signs of restlessness. The person feels on edge, tense, lacking
something, in short, restless. If a person is hungry, unsafe, not loved or accepted, or lacking self-
esteem, it is very easy to know what the person is restless about. However, it is not always clear
what a person wants when there is a need for self-actualization. The aforementioned theory may be
applied to the roles of organizational cultural and human resource management in improving
employee’s performance despite some criticism or limitations of the theory. While some research
has shown support for Maslow’s theory, others have not been able to substantiate the idea of a
needs hierarchy that is considered to be influenced by Western culture, and thus cannot apply to all
scenarios

The final and potentially most transformative need, at the pinnacle of


Maslow’ hierarchy, is our need for self-actualisation.
Self-actualisation, or deeper fulfilment, transcends the prior needs. To
quote Maslow himself, self-actualisation is “becoming everything
one is capable of becoming.”

This is our need for a greater purpose in what we do, a sense of


achievement and accomplishment within our work, and the
connection we have to greater meaning, beyond ourselves. It’s also
that drive to understand who you really are, and live as your authentic
self - a need that often takes years to fulfil. A useful way to connect
employees with feeling self-actualised is to impress upon them the
value of the work they’re doing. As an individual, understanding
yourself is the first step to self-actualisation - what personally
motivates you? How do you cope with stress?

Another aspect of self-actualisation is what Maslow notes as ‘peak


experiences'. These are the rare moments of highest happiness and
fulfilment, associated with a sense of wonder and awe that we have in
our lifetimes. By reaching a sense of self-actualisation, we will have
more frequent peak experiences - and essentially, life becomes more
meaningful.

If you’re struggling to self-actualise, try engaging in some self-


reflection. Often, taking a step back to look at the bigger picture is
immensely helpful in figuring out what we want to get out of life.

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