You are the director of Human Resources for a large company, and you’re confront

Question

You are the director of Human Resources for a large company, and you’re confronted with a major problem involving a dispute between the Union Rep and the staff member in your office who works with union matters. You’ve investigated and found that the problem mainly resides in the attitudes of the two persons toward each other. You know Maslow’s theory of personality as well as the Freudian view.

Which of these two theories should you follow in trying to resolve this conflict and why?Defend your views from the scientific viewpoint.

Explanation / Answer

In all likelihood, there exists a huge power differential between the Union Rep and the staff member in the HR office the individual directs. Maslow's theory of personality is referred to as "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" and visually manifests as a pyramid with five different levels. The first level, for example, involves basic human needs such as food, water, oxygen, etc. The second level revolves around the next level of needs, which is safety and security. The third involves a sense of love, affection, and sense of belonging in the world. The fourth revolves around esteem or a sense of respect from others. The fifth and final level is referred to as "self-actualization" -- in other words, being "the best one can be". Individuals thought to have gained self-actualization are in august company, indeed: Martin Luther King, Jr., the Blessed Mother Teresa, Abraham Lincoln, Gandhi, Jesus. In Maslow's theory, then, one cannot aspire -- nor reach -- level 2 without attaining the objects and/or traits in level 1. For example, if one is worried about what one is going to eat and how to attain that food, how is it possible that one can direct one's attention and efforts to worrying about how to pay for college tuition? In essence, physical viability must be guaranteed before loftier ideals can be sought. In the scenario cited, it is possible that the office staffer that handles union matters may view the Union Rep as someone who has more going for him/her in both physical and monetary means and thus fuels the personality clashes cited.

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