Need for Consideration

Consideration (Respect) — Being respected and valued by those around us is not just pleasant but crucial for our well-being. Psychological research suggests that feeling respected correlates with higher satisfaction, motivation, and self-esteem. In one analysis of workplace factors, respect was identified as the top driver of job satisfaction and engagement—employees who felt respected by peers and leaders were more productive and less likely to quit (SHRM study, discussed in Psychology Today, 2024). Beyond the workplace, feeling that others appreciate and admire you significantly improves happiness. Notably, a study in the journal Psychological Science found that feeling respected and valued had a stronger impact on people’s happiness than their income level (as summarized by Anderson et al. 2012). In essence, when our need for consideration is met, we experience greater well-being and social connection, whereas being treated with indifference or disrespect can harm trust and mental health.