How to create a great workplace

Building a great workplace is both a strategic decision and a moral one. But, a great workplace is not born out of an accidental confluence of motivated workers, bountiful benefits, and dogs in the office. They are created by purposeful leaders. Inc. magazine in a recent issue interviewed two such leaders, Ken Lehman and Yvonne Chouinard to get their views on how they made their organizations great places to work. 

Lehman's views are particularly interesting, as he explains how he sees Maslow's hierarchy as a cake at the bottom and frosting at the top - an ascending order of employee needs. According to Lehman, the bottom level which is fulfilling Physiological Needs,  is just to do with the paycheque. The next, the level of Safety Needs or security and protection, can be fulfilled by providing an emotionally safe environment. Lehman cites the example of his company which provided physical safety measures since it had a lot of heavy equipment and emotional safety by keeping the place free of bullying and harassment. The next level of Social Needs - or the need for a sense of belonging is creating the feeling that the workplace is like a family. The top level - Self Actualization is offered by providing employees opportunities to be creative and solve problems.

I thought this was a pretty innovative way of using the Maslow's hierarchy of needs as a template for creating employee initiatives and rewards.