The needs of employees can be displayed according to Maslow's pyramid. First, certain basic needs such as safe working conditions and the availability of the appropriate tools, need to be fulfilled. This produces satisfied employees. Then comes the need for autonomy and taking part of a fun and effective team. This provides a situation to involve your employees to a higher degree.
Employees who, thorugh this, can derive meaning and are then inspired by the mission of the organisation reach the top of the pyramid. These are inspired employees.
Inspired employees and productivity
The consultants Michael Mankins and Eric Garton asked 300 managers to assess the productivity of their dissatisfied, satisfied, committed and inspired employees. Satisfied employees are productive at an index level of 100 (disgruntled employees score 71). Engaged employees produce at a level of 144. And inspired employees scored a massive 225 on this scale. This shows that it pays to strive for relevant and inspired employees.
Invest in the base
Paying a higher salary does not necessarily lead to more involved or more inspired employees. This may even have the opposite effect. However, this 'drug' is often used by organisations to incentivise their employees.
However, organisations invest a minimal amount towards the base of the pyramid.This is something that should be addressed in order to create more inspired employees. Employees suffer from bureaucratic processes, too many meetings, and a slow decision making process. This does not produce satisfied employees, let alone involved or inspired employees, said Mankins and Garton.
Inspirational leadership
Upon the establishment of a company, it is often immediately clear what the purpose and mission of the organisation is. Employees are inspired by this. But over time, events such as the founder leaving, lead to the inspiration also leaving, turning the organisation towards only earning money to satisfy its shareholders.
As such, inspirational leadership is essential. Managers should let employees realise their full potential, build good teams and ensure that the mission of individuals and their teams are linked to that of the organisation. Many employees want to get satisfaction from their work.
Investing in inspiration, for example, coaching managers, pays off. Investments are quickly recouped because inspired employees are much more productive.