Why Cultivating Agency Matters More Than Ever
Agency isn't just a skill—it's the capacity to find a way through the wall when everyone else sees a dead end. In a world of increasing complexity, High Agency is the ultimate competitive advantage.
Defining Agency
The relentless pursuit of a path forward, regardless of the obstacles or lack of instructions provided.
The 5 Levels
A roadmap from passive execution to proactive, strategic ownership that drives organizational growth.
Hiring & Culture
How to identify high-agency individuals and build an environment where resourcefulness thrives.
Cultivation
Actionable frameworks for moving from “Learned Helplessness” to a high-agency mindset.
The “Wall” Analogy
Imagine you're walking down a hallway and hit a wall. Most people stop. They report back that there's a wall. A person with High Agency starts looking for a ladder, a sledgehammer, or a way to go around it.
Low Agency Traits
- “I wasn't told how to do that.”
- “I'm waiting for approval.”
- “That's not my department.”
- Stops at the first “No”.
High Agency Traits
- “I'll figure out a way.”
- “I've already started a draft.”
- “I contacted the vendor directly.”
- Treats “No” as a request for more data.
The Spectrum of Agency
Tell me what to do
Requires explicit, step-by-step instructions. Does not proceed until the next step is handed to them.
Give me options
Can identify that a problem exists and asks for a choice between paths, but doesn't vet the paths.
Recommend a path
Does the research, brings three options, and says “I think we should do X because of Y.”
Inform then act
Proactively solves the problem and informs the lead: “This happened, so I did X to fix it. We are back on track.”
Act independently
Anticipates the problem before it occurs. The manager only finds out about the solution long after it's integrated.
The High-Agency Interview
Specific Questions to Ask:
“Tell me about a time you were told 'No' when you knew it should be 'Yes'. What did you do?”
Look for: Persistance, creative workarounds, and data-driven persuasion.
“What's the most difficult thing you've ever accomplished with zero budget or resources?”
Look for: Resourcefulness, networking, and manual effort (scrappiness).
| Candidate Signal | Low Agency Response | High Agency Response |
|---|---|---|
| Missing Tool | “I couldn't finish because I didn't have access to X.” | “I used Y as a workaround until X was approved.” |
| Vague Task | “I wasn't sure what you wanted, so I waited.” | “I assumed the goal was X, so I drafted Y to start.” |
| Roadblock | “Legal said we can't do that.” | “Legal said no to A, so I proposed B which they liked.” |
Cultivating Your Own Agency
3 Mindset Shifts
1. Assume Everything is Negotiable
Rules are often just defaults. High agency individuals realize that “No” is usually the start of a conversation, not the end of one. If a process is broken, fix it instead of following it.
2. The 24-Hour “No-Complaining” Rule
Complaining is a symptom of helplessness. Instead of saying “This sucks,” ask “What is the smallest thing I can do right now to make this 1% better?”
3. Over-Communicate Progress
Agency without communication looks like a loose cannon. Keep stakeholders informed of your independent actions to build the “Trust Battery” that allows for even more autonomy.