Human Behavior & Leadership
A leader has to interact with his followers along with those people whose support he needs to accomplish various jobs. This needs motivation, which in turn needs understanding of nature of human behavior.
People behave according to certain principles that govern their moods as well as work principles.
There are needs of a man which are physiological like water, food, sleep, and some are psychological like security, affection, self esteem. These needs are arranged hierarchically by Moslow.
With increasing importance, the order is like physiological (food, shelter, water, sex), safety (freedom from danger), love (closeness to a friend), esteem (feeling of recognition), cognitive (learning and contributing knowledge), aesthetic (curiosity of inner workings of things), self-actualization (the state of well being), self-transcendence (level that emphasizes intuition, unity consciousness etc).
Everyone tries to move up in the hierarchy but gets hindered by forces which are not in their control. A leader has to help these people acquire necessary skills that will push them on the hierarchy permanently. Based on hierarchy of needs given by Moslow, Herzberg developed a list of factors which are termed as Herzberg’s hygiene and motivational factors.
The factors like working conditions, admin policies, salary, supervision, status, job security, co-workers, and personal life are termed as hygiene or dissatisfies. While the factors like recognition, achievement, advancement, growth, responsibility, and job challenges are called motivators or satisfiers. How human behavior at work and organizational life is affected by opposing perceptions is depicted in theory X and theory Y.
According to McGregor companies follow either of the theories. Theory X assumes it is role of the management to control and coerce people. This theory says that the people have intrinsic dislike for work and try to avoid it if possible. People should be directed and coerced to achieve the objectives. People in general have little ambition, avoid responsibility and hence should be dictated. This theory states that most people seek to give utmost priority to their own security.
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