Why agency is crucial for a leader
#agency #leader #leaders #leadership #selfleadership
Agency refers to the capacity of individuals to act independently and to make their own free choices. It involves the belief in one's ability to influence one's environment and life outcomes through actions. Here's why agency is crucial for a leader:
Decision-Making: Leaders with strong agency are more decisive. They trust in their capacity to make choices that will lead to positive outcomes, which is essential in guiding teams or organizations through complex situations.
Initiative and Innovation: Leaders who exhibit agency are more likely to take initiative, propose new ideas, and innovate because they feel empowered to shape their environment. This can lead to breakthroughs in business strategies, products, or services.
Resilience: Agency helps leaders to be resilient in the face of setbacks or failures. They view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than insurmountable obstacles, which is key in leadership where one must often navigate through adversity.
Motivation and Influence: Leaders with high agency can motivate others by example. They can inspire their teams to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, fostering an environment of accountability and empowerment.
Vision and Direction: Agency allows leaders to have a clear vision for the future and the confidence to steer their organization towards that vision. They are more likely to set ambitious goals because they believe in their ability to achieve them.
Adaptability: In a rapidly changing world, leaders need to adapt. Agency provides the psychological framework to embrace change, learn continuously, and pivot when necessary.
Ethical Leadership: Leaders with agency are often more committed to ethical standards because they understand the impact of their decisions on broader systems and feel responsible for those outcomes.
Empowerment of Others: An agency-oriented leader not only acts independently but also empowers others. By fostering a culture where everyone feels they have the agency to contribute, leaders can build more dynamic, engaged teams.
For a leader, developing and demonstrating agency can lead to greater personal fulfillment and success, as well as positively influencing the organization's culture, performance, and sustainability. However, it's also important for leaders to balance this with collaboration, empathy, and understanding of when collective decision-making is more beneficial than individual action.
~ Erick ikki
