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Joel and Antonia talk about a recent visit to Walt Disney World where they observed an interesting phenomenon around Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. What are companies like the Walt Disney company and Zappos.com doing to get employees’ and customers’ needs met? What does Disney’s EPCOT and Las Vegas have in common? Find out on this episode.
In this podcast you’ll find:
- This podcast episode talks about Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
- Need for Survival – Food, Sleep, Sex, etc.
- Safety and Security – Financial security, health and wellness, safety from injuries and accidents.
- Love and Belonging Needs – Relationship with Spouse, friends and family
- Self Esteem – People need to sense that they are valued and feel that they are making a contribution to the world
- Self-Actualization – Transcendent and spiritual work. The highest level of human being.
- You cannot move to the next need up until you get the need below it met.
- Most people seem to live on the first three and It does seem like people are stuck on those base needs.
- If everyone’s survival and safety needs are met, it results in the abundance of love and belongingness which in return, bring energy and happiness.
- Employees at Zappos are all happy. The have different sorts of thoughtful services that make them happy and productive at work.
- Once basic needs are met, people are capable of anything.
Exercise we recommend in this podcast:
- Ask yourself, what needs are going unmet. And if I could create a life where my base needs are met, where could I go? What would be the next place where I can get to?
- What would happen if your base salary is covered for a year without you having to do with that? We want to hear from you. Leave your comments below.
Referenced in this podcast:
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6 comments
I’ve heard of Maslow’s pyramid but never thought that into it. It was really refreshing to hear your take on it. I am the CEO of a store that sells gaming equipment and smart devices. The sales are steady but we always look for ways to keep new customers coming back. I immediately started to search google for how Disney created his magic and how to recreate it. I will for sure apply this to my company.
For the Zappos-part, I have to be completely honest. I have never heard of this company, as I’m Norwegian and not that familiar with American companies, but their work culture seems like a good one. I also believe Vayner Media has kind of the same approach, in the future, you should dive into that empire as well.
I worked for a big telecom company in Norway, and the satisfaction was 98/100 among 1000 employees, then they started to standardize. I couldn’t use my creative spirit and though I was their best salesman, my brain died when I was working. Had to quit to save my mental health, my bosses believed I had a personality disorder and I was recommended, psychiatrist. The company has lost all its creativity and passion, and all my ex-colleagues has quit recently or hate going to work. I also think the company stop test for satisfaction in fear of the negative results.
I truly believe the world needs more openness and accessibility to the content you guys provide. Thank you so much for another great episode.
I have been listening to the podcasts sporadically…and decided to start at the beginning again. Only thing I dislike is that I listen mainly on my way into work and therefore, cannot take notes ;). It is so interesting the connection that people in different situations and to examine those situations and the bonds that people have.
Learned a new fact about Antonia today…you lived in Anchorage and were talking about the weather. We have had record lows in Alaska the past couple of days and I got a kick out of you referring to living here for 4 winters. Been here since 1994 and this is my wave and shoutout to you…see another connection formed ;)
I just started listening to the podcasts and decided to start at the beginning of the story, so I started from the beginning and everyday listening to 1 show. Today I listened to this one and I understand what you are saying about having your needs met. I don’t believe it will change in the future and I disagree with parts of the examples you used.
For example, in the case of Disney World. In most tourist areas, you will find that people are not always friendly outside the main attraction. The reason, although they understand that the attraction brings in money, they have seen first hand the downsides of having a tourist influx in their town. There are negatives to having tourists. People who they don’t know that are inordinately “happy/friendly” to them are likely to be perceived as tourists. As for the tourists, they are on vacation and they are there to have fun. Disney World means fun, so they come in expecting that. In that way, Disney succeeds, but not as a real utopia for the future. It is only a facade. They understand why the employees are acting happy with them because it is their job to maintain that illusion (whether or not they feel like putting a smile on their face) and feel free to reciprocate to everyone else. Example of what I’m talking about: Atlanta, GA and the Olympics. When the Olympics came to town the locals were proud of their city and wanted visitors to feel welcome. Everyone was happy. People who came to enjoy the Olympics and the locals who were inviting them. Were they getting their needs met? Hardly. Everything went back to “normal” afterward. In the case of Zappo’s, it is different. In that instance, I agree with you to a point. Everyone wants to be appreciated and felt cared for. Who wants to work a job where the employers care less about their help? Will it change the job market in the future? Doubtful. There are always exceptional companies/bosses, but those are rare. In my experience, most companies/bosses are more concerned with the bottom line not the happiness of their employees. This is not something that is drifting in that direction, as a rule. Well, maybe high end jobs, but certainly not the guys on the lower rungs. Happy people come from those who are happy within and discovering who you are and trying to fix the problems with yourself first is a step at true happiness. This is just what I’ve experienced and I am not in any way an expert. Also, I disagree with sex being on the same level as food, shelter, and water. No one ever died from not having it. It is definitely on the WANTS list, though. I’ll give you that. BTW I am an ENFP.
To echo Joel’s comment, I think it’s being part of a subculture and looking for understanding/simpatico. When I’m in Europe and I spot an American, I feel a need to chat them up. They get me in ways those from another country never can, and I’m looking for that feeling. It’s almost a sense of relief, like ‘whew – someone gets it’.
The more one is in unfamiliar territory, the more exciting it is to have something to connect upon. I have an “Oregon” sticker on my car, and I live in Western Pennsylvania. (I’m from Oregon.) When I spot another Oregon bumper sticker I get really excited. But when I lived in Oregon if I spotted an Oregon bumper sticker it was just another car.
I’m no longer in home territory, so another person not in home territory but who is from home, it feels thoroughly connective. “I’m not the only one!”
I think as humans we fundamentally seek understanding. Those who share a subculture, a home turf, unique experiences/values help us feel more understood and connected.
We wave to each other at Disneyland (-world) for the reasons we mentioned in the podcast, and also because we’re sharing an experience that’s novel to us, and we love that someone else is doing the same.
Great question, Stephan! Cheers. :)
A
Hey Stephan.
Thanks for the comment.
I think it’s due to feeling part of a community.
I remember owning a Jeep when I was a teenager and other Jeep owners would honk and wave when they saw me. I now own a Toyota and it’s never happened with that car.
I’m also a Pittsburgh Steelers fan (American Football League). When I’m in other places and someone finds out, it’s an instant bond between us.
I think truck drivers, boat owners and motorcycle riders feel like they are part of a special group.
For example, If you’re a truck driver, my guess is you can relate to other truck drivers who have to “put up” with all the other “bad” car drivers on the road.
It’s a sense of “I get what you’re going through man. I can relate.”