Akila Selvaraj - Author, Technologist & Thought Leader
What Tree Are You?
A groundbreaking journey into who you truly are, how you are wired, and how to grow without losing yourself.
Meet Akila
I am a technologist and AI product strategist who has always been fascinated by why people think, feel, and respond the way they do. While my professional life revolved around designing intelligent systems and recognizing patterns in technology, my inner life consistently studied the emotional patterns that shape human behavior. Writing and psychology were always parallel passions, silently influencing how I understood the world.
A few years ago, life brought me to a complete standstill — a personal roadblock that required rebuilding everything from ground zero. In that phase, I began examining my own emotional wiring with the same analytical clarity I applied to technology: observing instincts, reactions, repeated patterns, strengths, and blind spots. That process of starting over and studying my inner system became the birthplace of the Tree Personality framework — a model that helped me rebuild my life with clarity instead of confusion, and alignment instead of pressure.
Today, my work blends the structure of technology with the depth of human psychology. I write to help others understand themselves the way I learned to understand myself — simply, truthfully, and without guilt. My mission is to bring emotional clarity into everyday life through a framework that is relatable, scientifically grounded, and rooted in lived experience.
Akila Selvaraj's Bio
I'm an accomplished software engineer, AI chief of products, and passionate psychology enthusiast with over 18 years of experience in the global technology industry. Raised on a farm in Karur, Tamil Nadu, India, My journey has been one of grit, resilience, and determined growth, powered by a steadfast belief in education, social justice, and the limitless potential of the human mind.
After earning my master’s degree in computer science, I moved to the United States for work and rose through the ranks of leading IT firms, ultimately taking on leadership roles in developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence solutions for businesses worldwide. I have published numerous papers and materials in the fields of AI, machine learning, and big data, and I'm a senior member of IEEE, a member of the Forbes Technology Council, and a Royal Fellow of the International Organization for Academic and Scientific Development.
My professional excellence has earned prestigious recognitions, including the International Achievers Award from the Indian Achievers Forum and the Titan Award from the Titan Business Awards. I also serve as a judge on international business award panels, helping to recognize innovation and achievement in the technology sector, and mentors emerging professionals in the field.
Beyond my technical achievements, my true passion lies in understanding human psychology and harnessing it to build a more compassionate, empowering world. I am currently conducting research focused on child psychology, working toward developing frameworks that help children and parents nurture emotional well-being from an early age, preventing unnecessary stress, trauma, and anxiety before they take root.
As a dedicated humanitarian and public speaker, I actively support causes that promote women’s empowerment, mental well-being, and a vision of global harmony where every individual, regardless of background, has the opportunity to live a fulfilling, meaningful life.
Currently based in Dallas, Texas, I bring together expertise in AI, passion for writing, and commitment to human-centered growth in my debut book—a project born not from the world of technology, but from the heart.
What Tree Are You? : A New Approach To Self-Realization
Most people spend years trying to understand themselves — why certain situations drain them, why some patterns keep repeating, or why their emotions take over even when they “know better.” What Tree Are You? offers the clarity that traditional self-help often misses. Using six simple and relatable tree personalities, this book helps you understand your natural emotional wiring — the instincts, patterns, and inner drives that quietly shape the way you think, choose, feel, and grow.
When you see yourself through this lens, everything becomes easier to understand: what energizes you, what exhausts you, why you respond the way you do, and what kind of life actually aligns with your nature. Instead of forcing yourself to change, you begin to grow in a way that feels natural and true. Guilt softens, comparison loses power, and clarity becomes something you can feel — not just think.
This book doesn’t tell you who to become.
It helps you finally understand who you already are.
A Glimpse Into The Tree Personalities
Every person embodies a dominant “tree type” that reflects their inner wiring. These types help you understand:
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Your emotional patterns
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Your decision-making
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Your strengths and blind spots
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Your natural growth style
The six tree types include:
🌳 Mango — expressive, warm, heart-centered
🌲 Teak — strong, structured, disciplined
🎋 Bamboo — adaptive, fluid, resilient
🌸 Cherry Blossom — creative, sensitive, intuitive
🌿 Sandalwood — calm, thoughtful, deeply grounded
🌳 Oak — steady, loyal, protective, purpose-driven
But the real transformation happens when you learn Hybrid Adaptation — borrowing strengths from other trees while staying rooted in who you are.
Ready To Explore Who You Are?
Self-realization isn’t a destination — it’s an awakening.
What Tree Are You? gives you tools, awareness, and a powerful metaphor that stays with you for life.
Testimonials
"I really enjoyed Akila's excellent book. I appreciated her descriptions of the various types of personalities, hybridity, and personality change over time and within various contexts. I also appreciated the practical advice embedded within the book, for example: "If people fall in love with your flowers, but not your roots, they won’t know what to do when autumn comes. Real connection isn’t about admiring who you are when you’re blooming. It’s about staying close even when you’re shedding, shifting, and growing new branches. " and her summary of how working with mental states impacts physical health and longevity.
I feel Akila accomplished a lot with this book and appreciate her efforts."
Kani Ilangovan, MD, Psychiatrist
"This book is a gift—an empowering blend of science, storytelling, and soul. Akila offers a path for reclaiming your inner rhythm and rising from life’s most difficult seasons with grace and purpose. A wise, heartfelt guide for anyone ready to bloom on their own terms."
Vanessa Benlolo, Transformational Soul Guide
"What Tree Are You?" is a wonderfully insightful guide to understanding yourself through its unique and relatable tree metaphor. Akila’s approach makes complex psychological concepts simple, practical, and accessible, offering readers clarity, emotional awareness, and tools to grow into their most empowered, authentic selves. A must-read for anyone seeking personal insight and meaningful self-discovery"
Antonella Giacon – PR & Branding Expert and Psychology Major
"Nature-based wisdom, encouragement and empowerment for anyone who wants to connect more consciously to principles of personal growth”
Jane Garnett, LMFT (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)
"If you’re looking for a gentle nudge towards understanding yourself, this book is a warm companion for your journey. The tree metaphors helped me reflect and uncover personal strengths in a truly kind and pressure-free way, while its practical tips inspire readers of all ages to grow and adapt with confidence."
George Yang, Award-winning digital innovator and AI adoption strategist
"This was such an enjoyable read. It felt like chatting with a friend! The content is shared in an easy-to-understand way that is compelling and engaging. I loved all the examples, prompts, and mental exercises."
Allison Smith, Author, Beta Reader