The Hierarchy of Needs for Entrepreneurs & Employees
When it comes to building a business that thrives, few frameworks are as powerful—or as misunderstood—as Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Entrepreneurs and business owners often look at this pyramid only in terms of personal growth, but the reality is much deeper: it applies both to you as the leader and to your employees.
In two powerful back-to-back episodes of The Purpose Chasers Podcast, host Mark Crandall breaks down what this means in practice—sharing personal awakenings, real-world examples, and strategies that entrepreneurs can apply immediately to scale their companies without burning out.
🎧 Listen now:
Episode 112 – The Hierarchy of Needs of Your Employee
Episode 113 – The Hierarchy of Needs of For the Entrepreneur
Why Maslow’s Hierarchy Still Matters
At its core, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs suggests that human behavior is driven by five progressive stages:
Physiological Needs – Food, water, shelter, sleep.
Safety Needs – Security, stability, resources.
Love and Belonging – Connection, friendship, intimacy.
Esteem – Respect, recognition, status, freedom.
Self-Actualization – Becoming the fullest version of yourself.
Every action—whether by an employee clocking into work or an entrepreneur chasing freedom—is motivated by whichever stage they’re currently trying to satisfy.
The Hierarchy of Needs for Employees
Most employees, especially those in lower-paying or entry-level roles, bounce between the bottom three stages: physiological, safety, and belonging.
Mark explains that the key to retention and motivation isn’t just about raises (though money matters). It’s about creating a vision that helps employees climb the pyramid.
Raises meet immediate needs.
Career paths shift them toward esteem.
Shared vision and purpose give them a shot at true self-actualization.
As Mark puts it, “It’s not that no one wants to work. It’s that you don’t have a vision that attracts individuals who want to grow—and they don’t even know they’re stuck on the hierarchy rollercoaster.”
The Hierarchy of Needs for Entrepreneurs
If employees are often trapped at the bottom, entrepreneurs ride a rollercoaster that can skyrocket them to self-actualization—or drop them to survival mode—with a single text or email.
Mark outlines four critical factors that determine whether entrepreneurs stay above the line:
Cashflow – Without it, you’re living in panic mode.
Paying Yourself – Profit First isn’t optional; it’s survival.
Chain of Command – Without it, you’ll be dragged into every fire.
Systems – True freedom requires structure and accountability.
Failing in any one of these areas can send business owners spiraling down to the bottom levels of the hierarchy, costing them sleep, sanity, and success.
The Bridge Between Both Worlds
The magic happens when entrepreneurs recognize that their journey up the hierarchy is deeply connected to their employees’ journeys. If your team is constantly trapped in the bottom three stages, your business will be too.
By aligning business operations with human motivation, you can:
Reduce turnover and build loyalty.
Free yourself from the day-to-day grind.
Create a company that scales sustainably.
Finally experience the self-actualization that drew you to entrepreneurship in the first place.
How Scale to Sale Consulting Helps Business Owners Break Free
Through his work at Scale to Sale Consulting, Mark has guided countless entrepreneurs to get off the hierarchy rollercoaster by building systems, leadership pipelines, and exit strategies. The goal isn’t just revenue—it’s freedom.
Mark’s clients have:
Tripled their revenue in under two years.
Transitioned employees into COO roles.
Sold companies for multimillion-dollar exits.
By applying the principles in these episodes, you’re not just chasing more revenue—you’re building a business that allows both you and your team to live higher up the hierarchy.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, the Hierarchy of Needs isn’t just a psychology theory. It’s a roadmap for building businesses that truly matter—for owners and employees alike.
As Mark reminds listeners: “More revenue, less hustle. That’s the goal.”
👉 Be sure to check out the full episodes of the Purpose Chasers Podcast on Spotify and YouTube for deeper insights. And if you’re ready to scale your business beyond survival mode, connect with Mark at Scale to Sale Consulting.
