Managers who make a difference achieve more than just business results. They make a positive difference in the lives of the people they manage. The pinnacle of managing to make a difference is helping people self-actualize.

Self-actualization is self-fulfillment. It looks different for everyone because everyone has a different set of talents, a different configuration of potential and a different definition of what is ultimately meaningful. Managers who help people self-actualize help them become more of who they really are.

As a manager or leader, how can you help people achieve self-actualization? Listen in to our podcast as Larry Sternberg and Kyle Bruss discuss self-actualization as a journey rather than a destination and how you can know whether you’re making progress on self-actualization or helping someone else self-actualize.

They also discuss all the elements of a formula for understanding and making progress on self-actualization – the GIFT Formula. Here’s the formula:
(Talent + Fit) x Investment = Growth ®

Listen in on the podcast or read the book to learn about all the elements of that formula and how they fit together to help people achieve the kind of personal and professional growth that leads to self-actualization.

On all our podcasts and blog posts, you have an opportunity to talk back to us through comments and emails. We hope to hear from you! Until next time, manage to make a difference every day!

+ Larry Sternberg, J.D. and Kim Turnage, Ph.D.

This post highlights Chapter 14 of Managing to Make a Difference (Wiley), a handbook for hitting the sweet spot of middle management. Next up: Coach to Improve Performance. Connect with Kim Turnage and Larry Sternberg on LinkedIn to see their latest updates.

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