Peak performance of business leaders: An experience parallel to self-actualization theory

To investigate peak performance, 40 business leaders described personal exp eriences through interviews and the Privette Experience Questionnaire. In o rder to discriminate processes of peak performance from personality attribu tes of business leaders, their questionnaire data were compared with parall el data from a sample of 41 university men. Multivariate analyses of varian ce of factors and items and follow-up analyses indicated that scores differ ed but not on defining attributes. The peak performance dyad--full focus an d clear sense of self--and aspects of peak experience-significance and fulf illment-were endorsed by both samples. Business leaders endorsed sociabilit y and personal discipline and denied playfulness more than the university m en, who endorsed fluidity. The relation of peak performance to self-actuali zation theory is discussed.