When it comes to self-actualisation, it is the journey rather than the destination that matters most. By setting our sights towards our highest potential, we unlock new levels of wellbeing and fulfilment. Read on for practical tips to apply the art and science of self-actualisation in the workplace.

What Is Self-Actualisation?

Self-actualisation is a concept developed by psychologist Abraham Maslow that describes the process of striving for excellence and reaching your fullest potential.

You’ve probably seen the pyramid of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, in which basic needs such as safety, belonging, and self-esteem must be satisfied before being able to fully realise one’s potential. It looks something like this:

BUT a strict hierarchy is misleading.

Maslow was more interested in the idea that self-actualised people are motivated by health, growth, wholeness, integration, humanitarian purpose, and tackling real world problems.

In other words, self-actualisation is a life-orientation: a direction not a destination.

Why Does This Matter For Wellbeing?

The characteristics of self-actualisation are correlated with many indicators of well-being, curiosity, self-acceptance, positive relationships, autonomy, and purpose. The pursuit of self-actualisation is also predictive of greater work satisfaction, creativity and performance.

Self-actualisation is about human flourishing. It’s an energising orientation. When we feel we have an inner ‘north star’ to follow, we are naturally more motivated, engaged and productive. We are pulled rather than pushed towards our goals.

By pursuing self-actualisation, we integrate our physiological and psychological human needs. We take care of the fundamentals in service of a greater good. We know that doing our best work requires a foundation of health and wellbeing.

The Paradox of Self-Actualisation

There is a paradox which is captured beautifully by holocaust survivor Viktor Frankl:

“Being human always points, and is directed, to something or someone, other than oneself–be it a meaning to fulfill or another human being to encounter. The more one forgets himself–by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love–the more human he is and the more he actualizes himself. What is called self-actualization is not an attainable aim at all, for the simple reason that the more one would strive for it, the more he would miss it. In other words, self-actualization is possible only as a side-effect of self-transcendence.”

So, self-actualisation tends to be a by-product of pursuing a ‘bigger-than-self’ purpose or goal.

How Do I Put This Into Practice?

Here are my favourite practical resources:

• Use this editable worksheet to reflect on how well your current needs are being met. Self-actualisation doesn’t mean ignoring other needs, it means integrating them as you pursue your purpose.
•  With your team, you could try the Nine Why’s technique from Liberating Structures to help colleagues match their personal ‘why’ to the project or task at hand
• Take a free self-actualisation assessment. Do it as an individual and self-reflect or share the link with your team and have a group discussion.
• At a more strategic level, I love this framework from the US Surgeon General. It gives practical ideas based on core human needs and creates a vision for workplaces as engines of wellbeing and flourishing.

How can I dive deeper?

• Read ‘Transcend‘ by Scott-Barry Kauffman
• Read ‘Man’s Search for Meaning‘ by Viktor Frankl
• Read Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles

Over To You!

What has resonated with you? What was your favourite resource? How might you use this week’s ideas in the workplace?