We can define agency as “the refusal to accept constraints at face value”.
This lets high-agency people make moves that others deem impossible. And because of this, they get outsized returns on their judgement.
But there’s one important caveat:
Things are complex.
No one person can rewrite all the rules from scratch.
Which is why we should think of agency as “respectful audacity”.
Aim for rigorous understanding, not arrogant ignorance.
And to do that, it’s crucial to never make a bet that could take you out of the game.
Sometimes, when you poke a system, the system bites back. Learn to appraise downside risk, and you get infinite shots on goal.
Which leads us to the one of my favourite topics.
P.S. This essay by George Mack is a great resource on agency.