KNOW ME
Everyone wants to be seen and known for who they truly are. That means noticing their strengths, understanding their backstory, and recognising what drives them. When leaders take time to ask, listen, and pay attention, they build trust. People feel known – and that changes everything.

Action you can take:

Set up a one-on-one with each team member. Make it about them. Ask about their story, strengths, struggles, and hopes. Then listen. Ask questions for clarity but don’t interrupt. The attention you bring builds connection and confidence.

VALUE ME
Everyone wants to feel that their contribution matters – but more than that, they want to feel they matter. Even a little recognition goes a long way. People want appreciation for the effort, attitude, and character they bring to work every day, even when things don’t go perfectly.

Action you can take:

Make recognition intentional, specific, and frequent. Instead of “great job”, say: “I noticed how you supported the team under pressure last week. That really made a difference.” Do this in public when appropriate.

FOCUS ME
Clarity builds confidence. Ambiguity breeds anxiety. People want to do well – but they can’t hit a target they can’t see. When priorities are fuzzy, people waste energy, second-guess themselves, and lose momentum.

Action you can take:

Make sure people understand the purpose and direction of your organisation. Ensure that the goals and key measures of your team clearly support the strategy and goals of your organisation. Then ask each person two questions every week: “What are your most important priorities this week? “How can I help?” These clarify expectations. This brings focus and it offers support, which shows care.

Read: Does Your Business Suffer from the Execution Gap?

GROW ME
People stay when they’re learning. Growth isn’t just about promotions. It’s about challenge, stretch, and feedback. When people feel they’re progressing, they become more invested in the future of the team and the organisation.

Action you can take:

Make growth a regular conversation, not a once off event. Ask, “What’s one skill you’d like to build this quarter?” Then co-create a small challenge or project to stretch them in that direction. Follow up. Give feedback. Celebrate progress.

Theres 1 more need … people also want to be inspired. They want to be part of something great and if you’re not fired up and excited, neither will they be!