EXERCISE 2.3
Self-Actualization
Becoming All That You Can Be
Purpose
To explore what self-actualization means to each individual and to develop an action plan to enhance this skill.
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60 to 65 minutes
Individuals and groups work to understand what self-actualization means to them and how important it is personally and professionally. They develop action plans.
Outcomes
- Understand the value of self-actualization in each individual’s life
- Learn how others see this value through discussion (for groups only)
- Develop action plans for increasing their self-actualization
Audience
- Intact team
- Unaffiliated group
- Individual working with a coach
Facilitator Competencies 
Moderate to Advanced
Materials
- Becoming All That You Can Be Handout
- Writing paper and pens
Time Matrix
| Activity | Estimated Time |
| Each person responds to prepared questions | 10–15 minutes |
| Group discussion | 15 minutes |
| Rate importance of self-actualization | 10 minutes |
| Develop individual action plans | 15 minutes |
| Group reflections | 10 minutes |
| Total Time | 60 to 65 minutes |
Instructions
1. Distribute the Becoming All That You Can Be Handout and additional paper and pens as needed. Instruct each person to take ten to fifteen minutes to answer the questions on the handout. This guides them to begin exploring the underlying questions that lead to self-actualization.
2. Lead a group discussion (or talk with the individual you are coaching) about the questions. Bring in facts related to the importance of self-actualization. For example, Stein and Book (2011, p. 62) report in The EQ Edge that they found that this is the number one factor supporting workplace success.
3. Ask the group to rate, as individuals and as a group (individually only for coaching), the importance of self-actualization to them on a scale of 1 to 10. Each person should write the number down for him- or herself. Then work with the group to come up with a group answer; it may be a range. Discuss the results.
4. Now ask them to rate on the same 1 to 10 scale how self-actualized they feel their lives are now. Lead a discussion on their answers. In the discussion, the participants may give the numbers they wrote down and an explanation of why. Or they may give a more general statement, such as, “I gave myself a low score because I need to change jobs and I’m just not working on it.” Ask whether the score reflects that they are living within their values of meaningful success for themselves. If so, what should they keep on doing? If not, what should change? Explore whether they feel their scores reflect good alignment with their values or whether change is indicated.
5. Instruct each person to take fifteen minutes to outline his or her personal action plan to achieve ongoing self-actualization. Encourage anyone who is interested to take more time to fully develop his or her plan on his or her own at a later time.
6. Wrap up with group reflections on where they would like to take this awareness. Ask them to explore ways in which they might be of support to one another.
7. (Optional) Have an intact team develop a group plan to enhance team self-actualization. Tell group members to take time to make the features of their collective identity explicit by exploring what values, strategies, and personal behaviors make their team unique.
BECOMING ALL THAT YOU CAN BE HANDOUT 
Respond to each question below. Use as much paper as you would like.
1. Name five of your core values—in order of priority if possible—and describe why they are important to you.
2. How do you bring your values into your professional and personal lives? How good a job do you feel you are doing at living your values?
3. What really interests you? How do you (or could you) actualize your interests even more, whether at work, in a community setting, or as a hobby?
4. How much time do you set aside each week to do what truly interests you, and how significant is the reward you receive?
5. What are the key skills you bring to life?
6. How fully are you able to express them at home? In the workplace? In your community?
7. Describe how well you are able to accept yourself and others unconditionally.
8. Name some circumstances where you have found yourself expressing awe and/or gratitude.
9. Briefly discuss the level of trust and depth you experience in your personal relationships.
10. When and where in your life do you feel creative or inventive?
11. Do you feel that your life path is leading you to live up to your potential?
12. What else seems important to you as part of this reflection?