Clayton Alderfer developed ERG Theory and simplified Maslow's hierarchy of wants into a shorter set of 3 needs: Existence, Relatedness and Growth ['ERG'].
- Existence - At the fundamental level is the need to stay alive and safe, now and in the foreseeable future. This includes Maslow's physiological and safety needs.
- Relatedness - Once we feel safe and secure, we tend to deal with our social needs and are currently fascinated by relationships with different folks and our standing from which we have a tendency to derive a way of identity and position within our immediate society. This includes Maslow's love/belonging and esteem needs.
- Growth - Ultimately we tend to ask for growth and self artistic expression both for ourselves and for our environment. Once we are successfully growing, we have a tendency to feel a way of wholeness, achievement and fulfilment. This includes Maslow's self-actualization and transcendence.
ERG Theory recognizes that the order of importance of the three classes might vary for each individual relying on the circumstances experienced by the individual and also how the individual perceives the circumstances. Per ERG theory, focusing exclusively on anyone need at a time can not optimise effective motivation. The leadership and management implications of this are that modification leaders need to recognise that individuals have multiple needs to satisfy simultaneously.
The speculation is a smaller amount rigid than Maslow's famous "Hierarchy of Wants" theory, and human needs cluster more neatly round the three classes proposed by Alderfer than the 5 categories in Maslow's hierarchy. Additionally, unlike Maslow, he saw these wants as a continuum instead of a hierarchy, and therefore his theory is a lot of flexible.
There seems to a general consensus that ERG theory provides a workable explanation of the dynamics of human needs as experienced and expressed in organisational things specifically in terms of why and how individuals's needs can change:
To their own changing circumstances
Their own perception of these circumstances
To their leaders framing and communication of those circumstances
Practical Application of ERG Theory to change leadership and management
(1) Impact of change initiative programme designing
At the design stage of a change initiative, and particularly when reviewing the total impact of the modification initiative on the folks who will be stricken by it, ERG theory informs the stakeholder mapping and analysis process and influences the communication strategy, because it focuses amendment leaders on the impacts of these 3 basic human needs.
(2) Leadership and communication
From a amendment management and change leadership perspective, understanding and recognising these wants can influence and form a communication strategy and a leadership style. For example, there will be circumstances where, within the interests of business survival, recognition and growth needs aren't going to be met as existence desires are addressed - like in major restructuring and business turnarounds where redundancies and major amendment to operating practises are announced.
Individuals are versatile and can alter and settle for this is often if it's communicated honestly and accurately and if leadership is acting effectively by addressing the emotional dimension.
The framing or positioning of a scenario by the modification leader is extraordinarily important - particularly in knowing the way to focus and present a communication regarding a difficult situation in such a method that it addresses Relatedness wants and Growth needs wherever possible and appropriate.
I'm not talking regarding "spin" deception or any different type of manipulation here, rather I am pertaining to a leadership vogue that is based mostly on the qualities and characteristics of transformational leadership and primal leadership. A leadership vogue that takes full and honest account of the impact of amendment on folks and especially acknowledges and leads them through the transitions that they have to maneuver through if the change is to be successful.
(3) Leadership skill
In my read, a key amendment leadership talent is knowing the way to reframe a tough state of affairs in such a way that while there are [or might be] threats to existence needs, people are motivated by addressing their relatedness and growth needs. An apparent and extreme illustration of this can be the wartime political leader of military leader.
Long term, it is [in my view] the responsibility of the amendment leader to form, stimulate, sustain values and beliefs that can foster and engender relatedness and growth because the norm, and to integrate them into the organisational culture.
Author Resource:
submitarticle has been writing articles online for nearly 2 years now. Not only does this author specialize in Change Management
You can also check out his latest website about :
Hawaiian T ShirtsWhich reviews and lists the best
customize t shirts
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://misterarticle.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
