When I see the word needs, the sight that instantly shows up in my head goes back to 2005 when I heard my Economic teacher say, “Human needs are insatiable”.
In that class and for many years, I agree with that statement. When I reflected on it later on, I realized that in reality and in practice, this saying that ‘human needs are infinite and can never be satisfied’ is not totally true.
Human beings have only 24 hours per day and it is possible to meet at least the basic needs each day, but when we go deeper into other levels of needs and wants, then there is a different twist to this.
That twist bring into the picture the Maslow’s the Hierarchy of needs.
The Clayton Alderfer’s version of Maslow’s hierarchy, which he called “ERG” theory: people seek Existence, Relatedness, and Growth, in that order puts more light into the idea of human needs.
It is a good question to ask oneself as the Coach and to ask the coachee. There is a likelihood that both of you are at different levels on that hierarchy at different times – that is, the level someone is at any time is contextual.
In the coaching relationship, understanding the level a coachee is can help to focus and explore from there. The conversation can be expanded from that point, as you will be hitting on the core angles of what need to be discussed.
Building a business or offering any form of service and product means that we have to be aware of what trigger people to desire that thing. We have to understand what we are helping them satisfy.
According to Tony Robbins, he has identifies 6 Major Human Drivers. As coaches, coupled with the knowledge of what needs our coachee is trying to meet, it is essential to also know what drives their actions.
-Certainly
-UnCertainty
-Significance
-Growth
-Contribution
-Love and Connection
I took this quiz and the result says this “YOUR #1 DRIVING FORCE IS: Growth. You need to learn and have a strong desire for ongoing improvement. This constant growth is your fuel and prevents you from stagnating or feeling sluggish and bored.”
When exploring the drivers of each of us on the on this coaching call, I remember that most people said growth and Contribution (including myself). I know I am swift to take on something or collaborate with someone that will likely lead to some form of growth.
The growth usually, has to be mutual – I am constantly seeking for ways to be better, while adding value also.
We bring our drivers into different areas of our lives. As the coach, I do that. It means, my coachee is going to do the same. This is point where as a Coach, we need to lay down our drivers. If we don’t do that it will deter us from helping Coachee get to their awesome dreams.
For example, if I am only expecting to see growth and how my coachee is contributing, then I will miss the track. I am only enforcing my driver on my coachee. It is important to first identity the coachee drivers and allow it to flourish. We need to leave aside our own filters and drivers to look through the eyes of the Coachee’s Drivers.
We have all gotten here through different storms – both coach and coachee. It is now my responsibility to understand that I need to handle my coachee with care.
They have come from different backgrounds and have hit different points in their lives to reach here. I need to calm down and listen to them.
My Key Takeaway:
Our needs could change and our drivers can change. This means, as a Coach, I need to be dynamic enough to identify these changes in myself and coachee and be empathetic about that.
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