9 Characteristics of a Fully Functional Person

So, you want to be the best version of yourself?

You are reading all the right books, listening to informative podcasts, and committed to physical and mental health while taking care of your spiritual needs.

But how do you know after many hours, days, weeks, months, and years of commitment to personal development, whether you have made progress and have become a fully functional person?

Firstly, I commend you on your commitment to growth.

This is a Growth Mindset for high achievers and strong contributors to society. No matter how big or small your influence, your journey can have an immense ripple effect in your fields of influence. From home life and relationships to career development, and social responsibilities.

Good Job! Keep it up!

But what is it all for? And how do you know that you have been making the right type of progress needed to become fully functional, and a better version of yourself?

Let us consider what Carl Rogers had to say about a fully functioning person - an American psychologist, and one of the fathers of the humanistic approach to psychology and people helping. According to Rogers, a fully functioning person exhibits 9 key characteristics that facilitate personal growth and improvement, also known as actualizing tendencies - reaching greater self-actualization.

As Maslow describes it, "self-actualization" is the desire to become the most one can be.

Self-Actualization: the Overarching Characteristic

Self-actualization involves striving to reach your full potential, seeking personal growth and self-improvement while embracing your unique talents and abilities. You are motivated to become the best version of yourself, constantly evolving and expanding your horizons.

In short, it is the process of becoming the best version of yourself.

This is achieved when you start living out your goals and values that are truly reflected in your identity and purpose.

Self-actualized individuals are motivated by an internal drive and a deep sense of purpose rather than external rewards or approval. It is not a destination but rather an ongoing journey of personal growth, self-discovery, and self-improvement, while cultivating a deep sense of satisfaction and fulfilment.

What are the 9 key characteristics of a fully functioning person according to Rogers?

Table of Contents:

1. Self-Awareness

2. Openness to Experience

3. Trust in Inner Experiences

4. Genuine Relationships

5. Personal Responsibility

6. Congruence

7. Unconditional Positive Regard

8. Growth-Oriented Mindset

9. Autonomy and Independence

1. Self-Awareness

A fully functioning person possesses a deep understanding of their own thoughts, feelings, and motivations.

They are in touch with their inner experiences, acknowledging both their strengths and weaknesses, allowing for greater self-acceptance and authenticity.

Practically, this is the core of mindfulness.

There is so much hype on the topic of mindfulness and many techniques and methods have been developed in the field of mindfulness. They are all, for the most part, designed to bring you to a place of quietness in order to be more aware of yourself.

As good and effective as these techniques may be, including meditation, breath work, etc., one needs to focus on who they are and how their makeup relates to their life experiences and self-acceptance.

As a Master Mindfulness Practitioner, I know that more importantly than routinely doing the “right techniques,” one must embark on a journey of self-awareness to achieve mindfulness. Even though it may be challenging at first to actively pursue this characteristic, one does not become a fully functional person, if they are merely good at cathartic techniques.

According to Carl Rogers, achieving self-awareness involves developing a deep and accurate understanding of one’s own thoughts, feelings, motivations, and experiences.

It is the ability to reflect upon oneself and gain insight into one’s own inner world.

2. Openness to Experience

They maintain a curious and receptive attitude toward life, embracing new ideas, perspectives, and opportunities.

This openness fosters creativity, flexibility, and a willingness to explore uncharted territories, both internally and externally.

“How would you know if you don’t try it!? Right!?”

How many times have we heard this?

Another I hear is “if it doesn’t kill you, it only makes you stronger!” I like this saying in this context, because if you accrue many experiences it will add to many fields of knowledge to draw from going forward. New experiences also broaden your horizons, challenges your assumptions, and helps you gain a greater understanding of the world.

Being open to experiences helps you exercise your adaptability, face challenges, and learn from setbacks. A willingness to go outside your comfort zone helps you exercise your resilience and to push past self-imposed personal limitations.

Research shows that people who are open to trying new things are generally more creative, innovative and show greater problem-solving skills. This characteristic recognises that every experience, whether good or bad, poses an opportunity to learn and gain insight. Especially when embracing the uncertainty or ambiguity that comes with exploring things that are “unknown.”

This involves living life to the full while knowing your personal meaning in the unknown.

3. Trust in Inner Experiences

Such individuals trust their instincts, intuitions, and emotions as valuable sources of information. They have confidence in their internal compass to guide decision-making and navigate life's challenges, recognizing the importance of subjective experiences and inner wisdom.

Sometimes we just get that “gut feeling.”

This is an inner feeling that describes your learned intuition for a particular topic or context. It is a culmination of your learned thoughts, feelings, cognitive biases, and life lenses. This is one area where being open to new experiences is such a valuable characteristic of a fully functional person.

But once we have started to accumulate experiences and constructively seeing them as a learning opportunity, we can develop a good “gut feeling” or internal wisdom.

Having built a framework for useful thinking, self-reflection and self-discovery, you can actively and healthily explore your thoughts, emotions, motivations, and experiential insights. Where you can be honourable by embracing rationality, you can make holistic, congruent decisions, fully trusting and having confidence in yourself and your internal experience.

Knowing yourself, trusting yourself, loving yourself, and acknowledging, and recognising your strengths and weaknesses as equally acceptable, leads to great self-acceptance, fulfilment, and your soul's satisfaction with life.

4. Genuine Relationships

Engaging in authentic, empathetic, and non-judgmental connections with others.

Valuing open communication, active listening, and understanding, allows for meaningful and satisfying relationships built on mutual respect and acceptance.

Although I can write extensively on this topic, it is important to know that being able to build, and maintain genuine relationships is a fundamental characteristic of a fully functional person.

Let us briefly look at 8 characteristics of a genuine relationship in preview.

1) Authenticity: Genuine relationships are built on authenticity. This means being true to oneself and expressing one's thoughts, feelings, and experiences honestly and sincerely. By being genuine, you will create an environment of trust and openness, allowing for deeper connections and meaningful interactions.

2) Empathy: Genuine relationships involve empathy, and the ability to understand and share the feelings and perspectives of others. This entails actively listening to others, seeking to understand their experiences, and demonstrating compassion and support. By empathizing with others, individuals foster a sense of connection and create a safe space for emotional expression.

3) Non-Judgmental Acceptance: In genuine relationships, there is a non-judgmental acceptance of others. This means embracing individuals for who they are, without imposing one's own values or expectations. By accepting others unconditionally, you can foster an environment where people feel valued, respected, and free to be their authentic selves.

4) Open Communication: Genuine relationships are characterized by open and honest communication. This involves expressing one's thoughts, feelings, and needs openly and respectfully, while also actively listening to others without judgment or interruption. Open communication builds trust, enhances understanding, and promotes deeper connections between individuals.

5) Mutual Respect: Genuine relationships are founded on mutual respect. This means valuing the perspectives, boundaries, and autonomy of others. By treating others with respect, you will create a foundation of equality and dignity in your relationships, building an atmosphere of trust and cooperation.

6) Emotional Support: Genuine relationships involve providing emotional support to one another. This means being there for others in times of joy, sorrow, or struggle, offering a listening ear, empathy, and encouragement. By providing emotional support, you create a nurturing and supportive environment where others can grow and thrive.

7) Shared Vulnerability: Genuine relationships allow for shared vulnerability. This means being open and willing to share one's fears, insecurities, and challenges without fear of judgment or rejection. By embracing vulnerability, you can deepen your connections, grow empathy, and create a space for genuine understanding and support.

8) Growth and Development: Genuine relationships support personal growth and development, encouraging others to pursue their goals, explore their potential, and challenge themselves. By providing constructive feedback, encouragement, and inspiration, genuine relationships become a catalyst for individual and mutual growth.

By cultivating genuine relationships, individuals experience a sense of belonging, support, and understanding. These relationships foster personal well-being, enhance self-esteem, and provide a foundation for fulfilling connections and shared experiences.

Let’s explore the next one.

5. Personal Responsibility

A fully functioning person takes ownership of their choices, actions, and outcomes. They recognize that they have control over their lives and take proactive steps to shape their future. This sense of responsibility empowers them to make positive changes and embrace personal accountability.

This may sound obvious to most but to some people, this can be a real struggle, while many people are oblivious to failing at this.

This area can easily cross over to be a marker of how to tell if someone is a narcissist. The narcissist may be able to display many of the other characteristics in this article but will really struggle with personal responsibility.

On the other hand, people who have fallen prey to neglect, abuse and even victimhood may have difficulty with personal responsibility. This is why it is one of the main characteristics of a fully functioning person.

So, if the narcissist and the victim can both fail in parts of taking personal responsibility, what does a healthy approach to this look like?

In short, it involves taking responsibility for your own decisions, reasonings, and failings, and having the self-discipline to do things for yourself, with self-control, integrity, and reliability. This means you can learn from mistakes, adapt, and build resilience while contributing to society ethically and full of integrity, and with fairness, promoting the common good, free from attachment to other people.

By embracing personal responsibility, you will become active participants in your own life. You take control of your choices, behaviour, and outcomes, leading to personal growth, self-reliance, and a sense of empowerment.

Personal responsibility lays a foundation for accountability, integrity, and the development of a responsible and ethical society.

6. Congruence

There is harmony between your inner experiences, self-concept, and external behaviour. You strive to align your thoughts, feelings, and actions, avoiding inconsistencies and embracing authenticity. This congruence displays a sense of wholeness and integrity, allowing for greater self-acceptance and genuine expression.

Do you “walk the talk” or do you “talk the walk?”

Or do you “walk the walk” or just “talk the talk?”

As described by Carl Rogers, congruence refers to the state of alignment between an individual's inner experiences (thoughts, feelings, and self-perception) and their outward expressions (communication and behaviour). It involves being genuine, authentic, and transparent in one's interactions with others.

Think deeply, for a moment - does congruence describe you?

This article, on the “characteristics of a fully functional person” looks at Rogers’ definitions. But these definitions also help build an ability to be congruent.

If you cannot take it into measure and work on all the other key steps, congruency can be extremely challenging. And no one likes a phoney! However, recognising that you are still on the journey to self-actualisation and taking personal responsibility in this journey, enables you to be congruent.

To be congruent you both “talk the talk” and “walk the walk.”

Congruence involves self-awareness, openness, consistency in words, deeds, thoughts and beliefs in a non-judgemental and transparent way, and a commitment to personal growth and growing genuine relationships.

Once all of what you know and say becomes what you do and apply then you will become congruent and increase your effectiveness in your personal life and social influence.

However, it is not something you can strive for. When striving for the better you, congruence becomes part of your identity.

7. Unconditional Positive Regard

They offer themselves and others unconditional acceptance and support. They understand that everyone has inherent worth and treat themselves and others with empathy, compassion, and kindness, creating a nurturing and non-judgmental environment that promotes growth and well-being.

If everyone could have the attitude of unconditional positive regard, we could eliminate a huge amount of social injustices and grief in our lives and relationships.

As Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you,” and “Love one another as you love yourself.” But both become difficult in practice if you firstly, do not know the love of Jesus for yourself or if you do not love yourself - how do you then love others? To hold each other in unconditional positive regard, we have made a big step in the right direction.

Carl Rogers describes it as, an attitude of complete acceptance, respect, and non-judgment towards others. It involves valuing and appreciating individuals for who they are, regardless of their thoughts, feelings, behaviours, or circumstances.

Sounds easy, right!?... hmm, sure…!

Well, to be able to do so is a choice. And it is only made with great maturity. Having confidence in ourselves and using these key characteristics of a fully functional person helps us in this regard.

If we are pursuing self-actualization as a constant journey of growth and personal acceptance, we can recognise that others are as well. We start separating behaviours from people’s worth, empathising genuinely while accepting others non-judgementally, without biased deductive thinking.

Other people are on their journey to self-actualization as well. Even if they are not, you can effectively show care and concern to enable others to be their best. This is done by knowing your personal responsibilities and your own emotional safety, thus allowing others their emotional safety, encouraging open and honest communication.

Unconditional Positive Regard also requires you to have no personal attachment to the way others are and behave.

They are them and you are you, warts, and all. And we all have “warts!”

8. Growth-Oriented Mindset

A fully functioning person embraces challenges and sees them as opportunities for learning and personal development. They have a positive attitude towards change and adversity, perceiving setbacks as stepping-stones toward growth, rather than obstacles to be feared.

Please see the article on a growth mindset for a deeper dive into this topic.

Having a growth mindset is a fundamental ingredient for one to be able to start on the journey towards self-actualisation and toward being a fully functioning person. Without a growth mindset, we are doomed to stay the same.

What are the fundamentals of a growth mindset then?

It is the ability to embrace challenges with resilience and having a love for learning and growing. At times it takes effort and hard work and entails the need to have a positive attitude towards failures and setbacks as a part of the journey. This mindset learns to assess and address limiting beliefs, set goals, and be self-reflective while embracing feedback loops . It also involves addressing thought patterns that keep you anchored to disempowerment.

By cultivating a growth-oriented mindset, you can unlock your full potential for personal and professional growth, becoming more resilient, adaptable, and open to new opportunities.

A growth-oriented mindset fuels motivation, continuous learning, and the pursuit of excellence, ultimately leading to greater fulfilment and success in various aspects of life.

9. Autonomy and Independence

They maintain a strong sense of self and individuality while respecting the autonomy of others. They make decisions based on their own values and beliefs, taking responsibility for their choices and embracing the freedom to live an authentic and fulfilling life.

Fully functioning people have set healthy boundaries.

They are their own person and have the freedom to make emotional and intellectual decisions for themselves without the emotions, thoughts, opinions, or manipulations of other individuals.

They can think critically for themselves while considering all the variables, including the opinions of others, but are not solely reliant on them for their decisions. This also displays their authenticity and individuality without fear of judgement or “going with the flow.” It means pursuing their goals while being in line with their values, and not succumbing to external pressures or expectations.

They are independent, self-determining people who contribute to the betterment of society. Not in isolation of others but recognising the interdependency of individuals and communities, while acknowledging they have the right to autonomy in how they interact with their responsibilities and obligations in their relationships and communities. This entails acknowledging the importance of cooperation, collaboration, and mutual support.

So, what does this all mean?

Ultimately, by actively incorporating these principles into our lives, we can pave the way for personal transformation and become fully functioning individuals.

Well, there’s no time like the present...

In closing

Let us embark on this journey of self-discovery and growth, harnessing the power within us to live authentically, make a positive impact, and unlock our true potential.

By embracing these principles, we empower ourselves to lead fulfilling lives characterized by authenticity, self-discovery, and meaningful connections with others.

In time, this will lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence.

If you feel like you need a breakthrough on any of these aspects or would like to share your journey, we would love to hear from you.

Leave a comment and let us grow together.