Written by: Ebonie Allard, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
A life well lived is a peaceful and purposeful one. It's one lived to your full potential. As a conscious and innovative Leader, the concept of self-actualization likely hasn’t passed you by. You understand your own and your people’s main needs, but let's look at some specific examples of self-actualization traits and how to cultivate an environment of inner self-leadership, unlimited potential, and exponential creativity.
The concept and characteristics of self actualization
Although the concept of self-actualization was originally discussed by Gestalt psychologist Kurt Goldstein, it is most often associated with humanistic psychology and psychologist Abraham Maslow, who used self-actualization as the pinnacle of his hierarchy of needs.
Self-actualization is at the top of the pyramid. It represents the full realization of each human’s potential and is much less about happiness or achievement and much more about health and growth. I don’t subscribe to the idea that the ones at the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy are more important than the ones at the top, but having the needs of the lower rungs met makes accessing the top ones easier. (It’s incredibly difficult to self-actualise while you’re in survival mode.) In neurodivergent people, I see the progression to be far less linear than the diagram suggests, but that is probably a different topic for a different day. In my work, I am most interested in helping people to know themselves, trust themselves, and express themselves, living to their fullest potential – without dysregulating their nervous systems and/or burning out. I tend to work with leaders, misfits, innovators, alchemists, and creatives. Reaching self-actualization involves being true to yourself, achieving inner peace, and realising your dreams sustainably and enjoyably. Reaching your unique potential is the ultimate human need and is a core part of being human. This occurs when a person is able to take full advantage of their talents while still being mindful of their limitations. It's much more about actualizing who you are than what you do. In order to self-actualize, you must understand your purpose, your unique gifts and talents, and your values. There are many ways to unlock and realize these; I help my clients do so with Numerology, Human Design, Value elicitation, Embodiment techniques, nervous system regulation, and mindset work. As well as helping you to activate your own inner or self-leadership.
Self-actualizing and helping others are intrinsic components of leadership.
Leadership, in business or entrepreneurship, and also within teaching, parenting, and the creative sectors, is entering an age where inner, or self-leadership is one of the most important skills we can awaken and demonstrate. Self-actualized Leadership is not about one person at the top taking charge, but all humans being sovereign, making good choices, realizing their unique potential, and self-actualizing. Self-actualization, in this sense, is also used to refer to an enlightened maturity characterized by the achievement of the desired experience, acceptance of oneself, and an ability to self-assess in a realistic and self-assured way.
I help my clients understand the path of Self-actualisation and explore their own through coaching, facilitation, immersive experiences, books, and self-study courses. These ten characteristics are what make self-actualized people better leaders and demonstrate how you might experience self-actualization.
10 characteristics of a self-actualized person:
1. Awe and appreciation
People who are self-actualized have an ongoing appreciation of the goodness of life. Some might refer to this trait as childlike wonder. They continue to appreciate everyday experiences as if they were the first time, with awe, pleasure, gratitude, and joy. However stale these experiences may have become to others, they find reverence in reality and magic in the mundane. 2. Acceptance
People who are self-actualized accept rather than ‘approve of’ themselves and others. They have an unconditional love for and an unapologetic attitude towards their quirks, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. They are themselves without shame and extend this acceptance to others too. 3. Integrity and authenticity
People who are self-actualized remain true to their values and sense of self in situations that might see others bent or swayed. People who are self-actualized are true to their values. They have a clear sense of who they are, and they behave in ways that are consistent with their beliefs and values. They are not afraid to be different from the rest of society, and they do not try to conform to what others think they should be. 4. Equanimity
People who are self-actualized maintain inner peace when the external world is chaotic or stressful. They deal with the ups and downs of life like a ninja; expertly graceful in their navigation. They stay intentionally purposeful and poised in the execution of hard things. 5. Purpose
People who are self-actualized feel a deep sense of duty. They are connected to their particular and unique Dharma or mission in life. They spend time honing their sense of mission and purpose and honoring their commitment to it. They train to develop their sense of direction and do not get pulled off the path by easy or comfortable distractions.
6. Good grasp of reality
Self-actualized people accurately perceive reality, both as it pertains to the self and others. They don’t take things at face value but understand subtext and context. They don’t let their ego or what people say color their judgment; they are concerned with getting to the real truth about people and nature and have a keen sense of discernment. 7. Humanitarianism
People who are self-actualized understand what they and the people around them need in order to live well and gain a sense of fulfillment. They can exist autonomously, and relationally. They have high self and collective awareness and contribute to the greater good of humanity in a way that is fulfilling to themselves and others. They are able to maintain a sense of impartiality and no matter what, act to relieve the suffering of all people. 8. Peak experiences
Self-actualized people often find themselves in situations that have themselves and others crossing new thresholds, experiencing new horizons, and exploring new possibilities. They find enjoyment and satisfaction in the present moment. Maintain deep and meaningful relationships. Have a sense of humor, particularly an ability to find humor in their own mistakes and experience frequent moments of profound happiness. 9. High MQ (moral quotient)
People who are self-actualized can tell intuitively right away when they or another has done something ‘wrong.’ They demonstrate and promote empathy, integrity, responsibility, forgiveness, compassion, and patience. They do ‘the right thing’ even if it is uncomfortable to do so. 10. Creative Spirit
Self-actualized people have a well-developed sense of creativity and bring it to everything they do. Their creativity, imagination, and vital life force are present in everything they do and are a huge part of who they are.
Once Self-actualized, you’ll experience a sense of stability, fulfillment, satisfaction, and success and find yourself surprised and delighted by life. These traits will become part of your identity and won’t require effort.
Becoming Self-actualised requires a strong sense of purpose and deep self-awareness and doesn’t happen overnight. To develop these characteristics, you must meet and embrace parts of yourself that you might otherwise have cast aside or ushered into the shadows.
However, once self-actualization takes place, it is retained and maintained because the necessary skills to achieve personal fulfillment are now part of your character and behavior. Becoming self-actualized and helping others to do so forms the foundation for creative, courageous, and compassionate leadership that I hope is the norm in the future.
Ebonie Allard, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Ebonie Alchemy (Allard) is a Neurospicy Mystic, a Misfit turned Maven, an Award winning International Master Coach, an Author, Artist and Speaker. From a young age she felt like she didn’t fit in, or that her brain worked differently from those around her. Her experiences led her to label herself as a Misfit, ‘other herself’ and self isolate. After a series of rock bottoms, she began a journey into the scientific and esoteric, exploring what it means to really know herself, trust herself and live in full self expression. Her professional work although varied all centres on helping other ‘Misfit’ to become more empowered, embodied and expressed.
