Review the list of needs below and think about your current life and work situation. Put a plus sign (+) next to needs you feel are currently being met to your satisfaction, and a minus sign (-) next to those that aren’t currently being met.
Work-specific needs
- A level of enjoyment while working
- A sense of belonging and community
- A sense of purpose and meaning in the work that one does
- Appreciation
- Being able to discuss the loss of workers
- Being able to modify your work environment to optimize your productivity
- Being recognized and celebrated for success and effort at work
- Your roles and activities at work don’t violate your personal integrity
- Fairness and equity in decision-making
- Having a level of choosing how you’ll do your job (not necessarily what or when)
- Physically safe and healthy work environment
- Psychologically safe and healthy work environment
- Respect
- Support
General human needs
Acknowledgment and recognition
- Acknowledging losses, including dreams, health and loved ones
- Celebrating the creation of life and dreams fulfilled
Autonomy
- Choosing your dreams, goals and values
- Choosing plans for fulfilling your dreams, goals and values
Integrity
- Authenticity
- Creativity
- Meaning
- Self-worth
Interdependence
- Acceptance
- Appreciation
- Closeness
- Community
- Consideration
- Emotional safety
- Empathy
- Honesty
- Love
- Reassurance
- Respect
- Support
- Trust
- Understanding
Physical nurturance
- Clean environment
- Healthy food
- Movement, exercise
- Protection from life-threatening life illnesses/threats
- Rest
- Sexual expression
- Shelter
- Touch
- Water
Play
- Fun
- Laughter
Spiritual communion
- Beauty
- Harmony
- Inspiration
- Order
- Peace
Some emotions/states we may experience when our needs are fulfilled include:
- Amazed
- Fulfilled
- Joyous
- Stimulated
- Comfortable
- Glad
- Moved
- Surprised
- Confident
- Hopeful
- Optimistic
- Thankful
- Eager
- Inspired
- Proud
- Touched
- Energetic
- Intrigued
- Relieved
- Trustful
(Rosenberg, 2004, p. 23)
Some emotions/states we may experience when our needs are unfulfilled include:
- Angry
- Discouraged
- Hopeless
- Overwhelmed
- Annoyed
- Distressed
- Impatient
- Puzzled
- Concerned
- Embarrassed
- Irritated
- Reluctant
- Confused
- Frustrated
- Lonely
- Sad
- Disappointed
- Helpless
- Nervous
- Uncomfortable
(Rosenberg, 2004, p. 23)
List up to 3 of your most important needs that are currently not fulfilled to your satisfaction in the workplace. Think about specific actions you can take to work toward ensuring these needs become fulfilled. An example appears in italics.
- Unfulfilled need:
Example: Support
Specific actions I can take to have this need fulfilled:
Example: Explain to the general manager that I could take on more important tasks if I had a part-time administrative assistant.
- Unfulfilled need:
Specific actions I can take to have this need fulfilled:
- Unfulfilled need:
Specific actions I can take to have this need fulfilled:
Reference:
Rosenberg, M. B. (2004). We Can Work It Out: Resolving Conflicts Peacefully and Powerfully. Encinitas, CA: PuddleDancer Press.