---
title: Human Needs Inventory
description: Human needs serve as a vocabulary for what drives our behaviors and emotions, and this needs inventory is a powerful aid in building this awareness.
---

leadership nonviolent communication self-awareness

# Human Needs Inventory

Nalani Rodriguez April 09, 2025

2 min read

Human needs serve as a vocabulary for what drives our behaviors and emotions.

When we are able to identify our needs, we are able to connect more authentically from a place of deeper understanding of ourselves and others.

Needs are what we are longing for at our core. They are the deep-seated values you most appreciate. We experience [feelings](https://nalanirodriguez.com/blog/human-emotions-inventory) when our needs are either satisfied (met) or not (unmet). For example, when you’re frustrated that someone arrived late to a meeting, you might have a need for collaboration or mutual understanding that wasn’t met when that happened. 

When we can identify and express our underlying needs clearly, we create opportunities for meaningful dialogue, reduce conflict, and build stronger relationships both personally and professionally.

Below is a list of core human needs to aid in building this awareness.

For more details on how to work with needs, explore my approach to Nonviolent Communication [here.](https://nalanirodriguez.com/blog/identifying-needs-and-creating-connection-in-conflict)

 

Basic Needs

Physical Needs

- Air
- Food
- Health
- Movement
- Physical Safety
- Rest / sleep
- Shelter
- Touch
- Water

Security

- Consistency
- Order/Structure
- Peace (external)
- Peace of mind
- Protection
- Safety (emotional)
- Stability
- Trust

Freedom

Autonomy

- Choice
- Ease
- Independence
- Power
- Self-responsibility
- Space
- Spontaneity

Leisure & Relaxation

- Humor
- Joy
- Fun / Play
- Pleasure
- Rejuvenation
- Stimulation

Connection

Affection

- Appreciation
- Attention
- Closeness
- Comfort
- Companionship
- Friendship
- Harmony
- Intimacy
- Love
- Nurturing
- Support
- Tenderness
- Warmth

Community

- Belonging
- Communication
- Cooperation
- Equality
- Inclusion
- Mutuality
- Participation
- Partnership
- Self-expression
- Sharing

To Matter

- Acceptance
- Care
- Compassion
- Consideration
- Empathy
- Kindness
- Mutual Recognition
- Respect
- To be heard, seen
- To be known, understood
- To be trusted
- Understanding others

Meaning

Sense of Self

- Authenticity
- Competence
- Consciousness
- Creativity
- Dignity
- Growth
- Healing
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Self-acceptance
- Self-care
- Self-connection
- Self-realization
- Mattering to myself

Understanding

- Awareness
- Clarity
- Discovery
- Learning

Engaging with the World

- Aliveness
- Challenge
- Contribution
- Creativity
- Exploration
- Integration
- Purpose

Transcendence

- Beauty
- Celebration
- Flow
- Hope
- Inspiration
- Mourning
- Peace (internal)
- Presence

 

*This list builds on Marshall Rosenberg's original needs list, with categories adapted from Manfred Max-Neef. This list is neither exhaustive nor definitive, and it can be used for discovery about each person's authentic experience of the world.*

 

leadership nonviolent communication self-awareness

![Nalani Rodriguez](https://nalanirodriguez.com/hubfs/Round%20Headshot%20(Lauren)-1.png)

#### Nalani Rodriguez

Nalani is an executive coach supporting start-up and tech leaders with big jobs and little kids.

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