How To Help Leaders Effectively Manage Today’s Human Capital

This article on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and its correlation to the workplace was originally published in June 2019. All relevant content and statistics have been updated as of December 2020. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs establishes a hierarchy of basic human needs. Maslow’s table prioritizes, in ascending order, the fundamental means of survival — food, clothing, shelter, safety — as they progress to the more sophisticated, intangible necessities for achieving internal growth — a sense of belonging, self-esteem, self-actualization. As individuals move up the pyramid, they become more social and productive; each need contributes further to their full growth and potential. You can apply this same concept to the workplace. What are the basic elements your organization needs to provide for your employees to keep them engaged in their work? What will you need to provide further to maximize individual contribution to the company and increase overall employee satisfaction?

This article on preparing and improving upon your Human Resources Department for the new year was originally published in December 2019. All relevant statistics and content have been updated as of December 2020. As we approach 2021, it may be a good idea to take a moment to examine your HR processes and prepare for the new year ahead. Use what you’ve learned from the year behind you — where did you see success? Where could your department benefit from some increased focus? As you consider your strategy and priorities for next year, think of what you accomplished this year and what you need to make next year even better, more effective, and more productive.

It’s tempting for employers to skimp on the employee onboarding process in the hopes that the new hire will become productive faster. However, as research shows, employees who experience longer, structured onboarding programs gain proficiency 4 months faster than employees who have been through shorter onboarding programs.