Clearly, many things have changed in our world since September 11. But most issues in developing a management philosophy suitable to this new time have not. [One of the founders of humanistic psychology] Abraham Maslow's 'Hierarchy of Needs' provides a good framework for understanding the problems we will face in the coming years. Our charges will be facing real and perceived challenges to their basic needs—health, security and social stability that need to be addressed in the workplace. Most of these challenges will be external to the work environment, so we can expect to see good companies reaching further into the social and family fabrics of their employees in order to support excellence at work. The form of these programs is unclear—we now see psychological counseling, flexible hours, sensitivity to travel fears through the use of telepresence systems, and other reactionary activities. These support and coping mechanisms will adapt as the external environment changes. The only really clear window on this situation will be the need to reevaluate our relationships with all our stakeholders and have an open communication about what the needs and problems are to reach accommodations that can support sustained excellence.
Director of Technology
Assurance Technology Corporation