Self-actualizing the foundation of resilience
"That man is happiest who lives from day to day and asks no more, garnering the simple goodness of a life.“ – Euripides
To create real purpose in one’s work is to achieve what we call self-actualization. But a self-actualized corporate culture does not happen by accident. It must be decided upon, and then strategically guided, from the top. One of the most broadly accepted definitions comes from the humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow. He described self-actualization as the process of becoming “everything you are capable of becoming“.
With the Self-Actualizing scale of the Circumplex model, we measure a way of thinking that results in the highest form of personal fulfillment. Becoming self-actualized is the final step in one's growth and maturation process. This style is characterized by an unusually high acceptance of self, others, and situations "as they are."
Self-actualized people are creative and imaginative and take a unique approach to life. They have a healthy sense of self-worth, a strong curiosity about people and things, and an acute Awareness of both their own and others' feelings. Their insight and directness add fresh perspective to situations. Freed from the belief that self-worth is related to being approved of or recognized by others, these individuals actively take a higher degree of responsibility for themselves and are motivated by their own values and beliefs. They lead satisfying lives, and their behavior is an effective insulator against stress.
What are the values on which this virtue is based?
- Concern for self-development
- Strong instincts and intuition
- Relative freedom from feelings of guilt or worry
- An energetic, exciting approach to life
- A strong desire to know about and experience things directly.
Inevitably, this virtue creates unwritten laws such as “Thinking in unique and independent ways” or “Maintaining one’s personal integrity”.
These types of norms characterize organizations in where creativity, innovation, task accomplishment and individual growth are being valued. Members are expected to approach tasks in new and different ways, develop their skills and abilities, and derive satisfaction from their work. Quality of services and products continually improves as employees apply creative solutions to problems, develop better ways of doing things, and maintain high standards of personal and organizational integrity.
Self-Actualizing is the virtue that confronts all the sins that lead to apathy and abandonment and make resilience impossible. Self-Actualizing is the best method to fight the sins of approval and dependence. Some may like to talk about self-motivation or even self-sacrifice. But it is simply a matter of believing it, of believing that we will achieve what we have set ourselves. Quantity takes precedence over difficulty, the more we achieve, the greater our Self-Actualizing will be, and so we can increase the difficulty each time.
How this virtue can be enhanced?
If you do not possess it:
- See-problems as opportunities for growth and development. Approach issues positively and try solving them creatively.
- Recall the special "peak" experiences you have had in life. Examining how you felt during, these experiences and approaching everyday life with the same clarity and substance of feeling can help you enjoy your life more fully.
If you have an organization:
- Recognizes and appreciate what has been achieved (this may seem obvious, but in 80% of the cases it is forgotten).
Don't miss our next article, in which we will unfold Humanistic-Encouraging as the way to achieve the commitment necessary for resilience. If you want to know more about how to manage change and build resilient organizations, contact us! info@avancegroup.eu