Career, Community, Cause: Our Top Three Needs at Work

What would happen if psychologist Abraham Maslow were to construct his famous Hierarchy of Needs pyramid with regard to the contemporary workplace? Top Facebook executives, in collaboration with Wharton professor Adam Grant, wanted to find out. After examining hundreds of thousands of employee survey answers, they identified three big buckets of needs: career, community, and cause.

Career is about the what of work: having a job that provides autonomy, allows us to use our strengths, and promotes learning and development. Career gives us motivation. (Tweet it!)

Community is about the who of work: feeling connected, respected, cared about, and recognized. Community gives us a sense of belonging.

Cause is about the why of work: feeling that we make a meaningful impact, identifying with our organization’s mission, and believing that it does some good in the world. Cause gives us pride and purpose.

Writing in the Harvard Business Review Grant and the Facebook team commented, “These three buckets make up what’s called the psychological contract — the unwritten expectations and obligations between employees and employers. When that contract is fulfilled, people bring their whole selves to work. But when it’s breached, people become less satisfied and committed. They contribute less. They perform worse.” 
 
Do you resonate with these needs? Are they being met at your workplace or, if not, what should change? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.
 
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