The Barrett Model

The Barrett Model

By Richard Barrett
The Seven Levels of Consciousness model was conceived in 1997 by Richard Barrett,
founder and chairman of the Barrett Values Centre. Barrett is an author, keynote
speaker and consultant on leadership, values and culture in business and society.
The distinguishing feature of the Seven Levels of Consciousness model is that it is
evolutionary in nature. It provides a framework for understanding the stages in the
development of both individual and group consciousness. The model covers both the
internal dimensions of consciousness ‐ our inner journey into self‐knowledge and
meaning, and the external dimensions of consciousness – the gradual expansion of our
sense of identity in terms of who and what we care about in our lives.
Barrett realised that with some minor modifications Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of
Needs could be turned into a model for mapping the evolution of consciousness in
individuals, and all forms of human group structures – organisations, communities,
nations, etc.
By 1998, the model was complete and was being used as the foundation of the Cultural
Transformation Tools (CTT) to map the values of organisations, and their leaders.

Barrett made three changes to Maslow’s model, and created a way of using the new
model to measure the consciousness of individuals and organisations by mapping their
values:
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1. Changed the model from needs to consciousness
2. Expanded the concept of self‐actualisation
3. Re‐labelled the basic needs
4. Developed a way of using the model as a measurement instrument
An overview of the first three changes is shown in the following table.
MASLOW BARRETT
Hierarchy of Needs Levels Consciousness
7 Service
Self‐actualisation 6 Making a Difference
5 Internal Cohesion
Know and understand 4 Transformation
Self‐esteem 3 Self‐esteem
Belonging 2 Relationships
Safety
1 Survival
Physiological
1. From Needs to Consciousness

The shift from needs to consciousness was made because Barrett realised that when
people have underlying anxieties or subconscious fears about one of their basic needs,
their subconscious remains focused on that need. Even though it would appear to an
outside observer that they have satisfied that need, they cannot get enough of what
they want to assuage their anxiety or subconscious fears. For example, there are
people who are never satisfied with the amount of money they earn, even though they
are wealthy. These people are not operating from need: they are operating from
survival consciousness. They are preoccupied with making money. Other people cannot
get enough love: they operate from relationship consciousness. In business, we often
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find people who cannot get enough power: they have a need to be respected by
others. They operate from self‐esteem consciousness.

2. Expanding the concept of Self‐Actualisation

Barrett expanded the concept of self‐actualisation by recognising this as a four‐stage
process. The first stage is also known as the stage of individuation. Individuation is the
process by which we become the master of our own destiny by letting go of the
aspects of our personal and cultural conditioning that prevent us from becoming our
true self and fulfilling our potential.

Prior to individuation (Transformation), we are conditioned by the expectations of
those around us—by the family and the culture we were brought up in. We align, and
are loyal to the groups with which we identify. It is through these groups that we
satisfy our deficiency needs. During individuation (the first stage of self‐actualisation)
we establish a sense of our own personal authority and our own voice. We are able to
let go of our need to identify with our background social environment because we
have learned how to master our deficiency needs. We now choose to live by the values
and beliefs that resonate deeply with who we are.
During the second stage of self‐actualisation we uncover the transcendent meaning to
our lives (Internal Cohesion). We then shift to Making a Difference Consciousness
when we are able to actualise our sense of meaning by creating positive change in the
world. When making a difference becomes a way of life we move to the Service level
of consciousness.
3. Re‐labelling the Basic Needs

Barrett changed the names of the basic needs by grouping “physiological” and “safety”
needs into Survival Consciousness, and re‐labelling “love and belonging” as
Relationship Consciousness.

4. Developing a measurement Instrument
Lastly, Barrett realised that each level of consciousness is characterised by specific
values and behaviours. Therefore, if people were asked to choose the values that were
important to them or the values that characterised the culture of their organisation,
then it would be possible to map their individual consciousness and the consciousness
of their organisation.
The measurement instruments that Barrett developed are called the Cultural
Transformation Tools (CTT). A fuller description of the origins of the Barrett Model is
provided in the document From Maslow to Barrett.
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The Seven Levels of Consciousness model has been customised for individuals, leaders
and different types of human group structures. A description of some of these
different applications of the model can be found by clicking on the appropriate
heading below.
For individuals:
Seven Levels of Personal Consciousness
Seven Levels of Human Motivation
Seven Levels of Leadership Consciousness

For groups:
Seven Levels of Organisational Consciousness
Seven Levels of Societal Consciousness

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