Psychologist Abraham Maslow theorized that people in all cultures have certain genetically-based, unchanging needs. He described these needs in a hierarchal fashion — with some needs being more basic or powerful than others. As these needs are satisfied, other higher needs emerge. The first four are:
- Physiological: not having hunger, thirst, bodily discomfort, etc.
- Safety/security: being out of danger
- Belonginess and Love: being affiliated with others and accepted
- Esteem: achieving, being competent, and gaining approval and recognition
After these are met, the second group of needs comes into play:
- Cognitive: wanting to know, understand, and explore.
- Aesthetic: seeking symmetry, order and beauty.
- Self-Actualization: finding self-fulfillment and realizing one’s potential.
- Self-Transcendence: connecting to something beyond themselves, or helping others find self-fulfillment and realize their potential.
Looking closely at these, it’s easy to understand why people need leaders? They do so because they believe those leaders will help them meet some or all of these needs. For example, a community may elect a mayor who will help bring prosperity to their town, while also going every Sunday to hear a minister who helps them along their religious path, while admiring the Chief of Police who keeps their streets safe, while all individually following leaders at work, and in school.
We follow people because we’re all looking for something more.
We’re looking for sincerity, for authenticity, for meaning and truth, for someone and something somewhere to believe in.
So, as a leader, if you don’t mean it, they’ll know. If you don’t really care, you won’t be able to pretend for long that you do. If you say one thing but do another, they’ll pick up on it. Quickly.
So, the first rule of leadership is to care. The second rule is to communicate in some way that you care – whether it’s in speeches, articles, webconferences, or simply the way you act in a meeting.
If you don’t care, don’t try to lead.
If you do care, make sure they know you do.
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