Ok so I took the Maslow test and it seems I have not climbed very far up the hierarchy of human needs chart. The only thing I can think is that I have a long way to go in order to get to the top. I actually related to Herzberg's Theory of Motivation and Hygiene a lot more than the Maslow test. The Maslow test seems more basic than Herzberg’s detailed explanation of human behavior. I like how Hertzberg explains how money and the like thereof is not a motivator but it is a mover. Now that I have seen motivation in a new light he makes since to say it is not.

Herzberg’s Hygiene Factors hit close to home with me. In the model it reads that the Hygiene Factors should mirror the Motivators on the model. In the “Needs Theory sq” paragraph it reads “Research has also shown that some individuals like to have some influence over the group as well. So we add status or power, to our list of motivators as we look at the way we can best motivate others.” I have discovered that I may be this power hungry motivator that the book reads. I should not be so controlling in some things at work. We all here have collateral duties and they range from hose testing to small hand tool inventories. We are usually paired up with another person in the fire house and we are supposed to work together in getting all the annual collateral duties done. I tend to over compensate my responsibilities and do not allow the other guys to actually have a say in some things that we are responsible for. I guess now that I look at it I want the job done right but really I just want it done my way. I’m often more motivated at doing these duties than others because I am taking the lead on them but not actually being a leader in the way should be. I have decided to allow the guys I’m assigned collateral duties have their own affiliation in on some of the work. This way they feel like they will be more involved in the decision making process and when recognition comes our way they will feel like they actually got to accomplish a task with their own feedback involved in the process.

I actually fall into more than one category. For example; Psychological needs: I am satisfied in almost all that is required except sometimes I believe I don’t get enough sleep. Then take Social Needs: I have never felt the need to be in a group, to me it just always sort of happens. I know the book states that we could be in various stages at one time or the other and not even be aware of us jumping from one need to the other, but I can actually I am perfectly ok and content when alone for long periods of time. I guess what I am asking and need to find more about is whether or not we can be in one or more tiers at once. If there was something mentioned about this question in the literature or the video’s, then I would hope someone could point me in the right direction.