Climbing The Mountain of Needs
Have you ever felt like you needed food or sleep more than anything else in the world? Or perhaps a sense of belonging with friends felt crucial? Even people who lost their loved ones still have some needs and they will continue to fulfill, no matter how sad or disturbed they are. These feelings point to something fundamental about being human: we have different kinds of needs, and some are more urgent than others.
This is the simple idea behind Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - a theory created by Abraham Maslow in 1943 that explains what humans need to be happy and fulfilled.
Think of it like a mountain, where you need to climb each elevation before you can reach the next. And if the mountain is weak with loose rocks at it's bottom, climbing up is difficult to impossible.
The Five Levels of Needs
Maslow's theory shows human needs as a pyramid with five levels:
- Basic Physical Needs or Physiological needs: Food, water, shelter, sleep, cloth.
- Safety Needs: Security, stability, freedom from fear.
- Love and Belonging: Friendships, family, romantic connections.
- Esteem: Respect, recognition, feeling valued.
- Self-Actualization: Becoming your best self, reaching your potential.
Maslow's Theory in Real Life
If I just put the 5 levels of needs in a set of bullet points and a drawing, it just looks like a mere theory. But there are many places in our real lives where we can "see" Maslow's theory.
In August 2018, the quaint South Western Indian state of Kerala saw a catastrophic flooding across the state (It was similar to Hurricane Sandy). It was so devastating, all international news media covered the flood and relief efforts. It was later made in to a movie also - I just wanted to emphasis the severity of this flood. Over a million people were displaced and hundreds died. Entire villages were submerged.
Level 1: Physiological Needs
Families stranded on rooftops waiting for rescue helicopters; with no access to clean water, food or sanitary facilities. People collected rainwater and drank it in many places. Indian military forces airdropped food and water. "Nothing else mattered at that time; except finding food and escaping the water to safety.", said affected people.
There is it - first and foremost, one need to breath, eat, drink and sleep - to survive.
Level 2: Safety Needs
Indian Navy and Air Force operated rescue bots and choppers to move people from flood affected areas and brought them to relief camps which were set up in schools in high-grounds. Once flood receded, families returned to their homes only to discover the homes were filled with mud from ground to roof. These mud and water had spoiled the structural integrity of buildings. Also, wherever it was not muddy, water-borne diseases were spreading like wildfire.
Government as well as some good samaritans set up more relief camps to let the affected people stay in a safe place until the homes are inspected and certified worthy. Pop-up hospitals were set up to take care of the ill; and efforts to contain contagious diseases were put in place.
All these for ensuring the safety and security of those affected.
Level 3: Love and Belonging
Kerala has always been known for strong community bonds. As basic survival and safety needs were met, maintaining these connections became crucial for emotional recovery.
Relief camps became temporary communities. People shared cooking duties, watched over each others' children, and comforted those who lost their loved ones. Technocrats helped scattered families reconnect.
The floods destroyed many homes, but the same flood showed them that their real home is people around. In the relief camp, strangers became family. That connection and feeling of being loved gave each other strength to push forward.
Level 4: Esteem
As recovery progressed, "People Power" emerged. Volunteer groups coordinated massive clean-up efforts. Young people organized suppy chains using social media. The "Kerala Model" of community based disaster response gained international recognition.
Leaders came from the most unexpected corners of the world. Many homemakers created self support groups and mobilized food drives, helping young women to rebuild their seemingly lost life, funds to rebuild homes, etc.
While many of these were done not for attention, they got the recognition, respect and esteem as life changers. This in turn inspired the generations which followed.
Level 5: Self-Actualization
In the years following Kerala floods, many survivors found new meaning and purpose for their lives. Fishermen who had rescued hundreds during the floods formed community disaster response teams. Environmental activists started new initiatives to protect the Western Ghats (the mountain range spanning through the west coast of India) and prevent future floods.
Many IT professionals quit their jobs to work on climate resilience projects. Many Kerala communities rebuilt with sustainability in mind. Many Kerala communities rebuilt with sustainability in mind. Traditional wisdom about water management gave way for innovation with modern technology. The tragedy led many to discover their potential as Changemakers.
Before I wrap-up
While we must aspire to reach self-actualization as our final destination, we need to focus on meeting the needs at each moment and fulfill them first. This ensures that when we move to the next level, nothing pulls us back to the previous one.
By recognizing which level of needs people are focused on, communities can provide appropriate support at each stage of their lives. Misunderstandings often happen when someone gives free (unhelpful) advice to others at the wrong stage of their recovery. Don't be that "ungle."
And remarkably, many people find that the difficult climb leads them to heights of purpose and self-understanding they might never have imagined possible.
I am sure there are theories that challenge Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Many call it "a socialistic utopian" idea. But, it is a good place to start our mental exercise around this. And challenge our understanding with new learnings.