Recognising Agency
In 218 BC, the Carthaginian general Hannibal crossed the Alps against the advice of his men, who claimed it was impossible. “I shall either find a way, or make one.” This bold statement captures a trait much sought in the tech industry today: high agency. This means being able to positively influence yourself or the world around you.
What is High Agency?
Psychologists use a range of terms to refer to this kind of trait, including perceived control, mastery, and efficacy. All of them boil down to being able to achieve the things you want, when you want.
Recognising Agency in the Business World
In the business world, the term high agency is used in much the same way as “disruptor”, “game-changer” and “self-starter” were before it. As you might expect from those comparisons, high agency is a catch-all phrase for people who see and take opportunities where others see roadblocks.
The Benefits of High Agency
Agency is beneficial in more than just the professional sphere. Research shows that feeling able to achieve important goals is a building block for motivation in most domains of life, including education, health, and political action. This is because people who feel “in control” set higher goals, are more committed to those goals, and exert greater effort to achieve those goals than people who feel “out of control”.
Rethinking Agency
The concept of “high agency” is an amalgamation of, or an umbrella term for, a range of traits that psychologists have studied for decades. Related concepts include the prized “growth mindset” (the belief that one’s talents are developable rather than innate), “proactivity” (acting in advance of, rather than reacting to, situations), and the somewhat controversial “grit” (perseverance in the pursuit of long-term goals).
Rethinking Agency in a Different Light
High agency, as the tech world sees it, appears to borrow from all these concepts, wrapped up in one convenient package. Agentic people are those who see possibility where others see barriers, take action rather than wait to be told what to do, and aren’t afraid to go after what they want.
Challenges of High Agency
However, acting “high agency” may be a risk for some people: actions that see one person praised as a “game-changer” could easily see another labelled a “troublemaker”. This is particularly true for less privileged individuals, who tend to see less opportunity to exert choice and influence the world due to the very real structural barriers they face.
Realising Agency
Given the rising value of high agency in professional settings – not to mention its personal emotional and motivational benefits – you might wonder how people can become more agentic. Research shows that certain types of environments set people up for success. Environments that allow people to thrive are those that meet three basic psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, high agency is a complex and multifaceted concept that can be rethought in a different light. While it may seem like an innate personality trait, emerging research suggests that the people around us may be a powerful source of personal agency. By fostering environments that meet the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, we can unlock the potential for high agency in ourselves and others.
FAQs
- What is high agency?
High agency is the ability to positively influence yourself or the world around you. - What are the benefits of high agency?
The benefits of high agency include increased motivation, improved goal-setting, and greater effort to achieve those goals. - Is high agency a fixed trait?
No, high agency is not a fixed trait, but rather a combination of traits that can be developed and nurtured. - Can high agency be a risk for some people?
Yes, acting “high agency” may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are less privileged, who may face structural barriers that limit their ability to exert choice and influence. - How can we foster high agency?
By fostering environments that meet the psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, we can unlock the potential for high agency in ourselves and others.
