What is Agency?

Agency (v.)

To intentionally shape the future through courageous action.

To reject the belief that systems are fixed.

*Redefined here as a verb, not as a noun, embracing possibility.

Agency is the practice of creating the conditions in which people, organizations, and communities flourish. It begins with the belief that better futures are not discovered; they are designed.

Agency is not something you have. It is something you do.

See also: Trust (v.); Learn (v.) Belong (v.) Play (v.)

Mission

Agency exists to help leaders, organizations, and communities imagine and build futures that are more courageous, equitable, and meaningful.

We begin with one simple question:

If you could do anything, what would it be?

Then we help make it possible.

Philosophy

Agency begins with the belief that possibility is abundant and that scarcity is a mindset. Agency does not deny constraint, we simply refuses to let constraint define what is possible.

Agency helps individuals discover their capacity to influence systems, build trust, cultivate belonging, and transform possibility into meaningful action.

Lexicon

The Agency Dictionary

Words shape how we understand the world. Sometimes we redefine them. Sometimes we restore them. Sometimes we ask them to do new work. Throughout this Dictionary, familiar words may appear with unfamiliar parts of speech. That’s intentional, because if we are to build better futures, we need a new vocabulary.

Agency (v.) – To intentionally shape the future through courageous action. To reject the belief that systems are fixed. Agency is not something you have. It is something that you do.

Trust (v.) – To create the conditions in which people are willing to take meaningful risks together. To create the conditions in which people are willing to take meaningful risks together. To choose vulnerability over certainty. Redefined here as a practice rather than a feeling.

Belonging (v.) To create the conditions in which individuals know they matter. To invite participation without requiring conformity. Redefined here as an action rather than a destination.

Learn (v.) To expand how we understand ourselves and the world. To remain open to being changed by new experiences. Redefined here as transformation rather than accumulation.

Play (n.) – A radical method of exploring possibilities. A way of experimenting without fear of failure.

Joy (n.) – The experience of finding meaning, connection, and delight in the process. A condition that expands creativity, resilience, and possibility. Often mistaken for the reward for effort; understood here as part of the work.

Hope (v.) – To act in service of more just futures. To choose possibility despite uncertainty. Redefined here as action rather than optimism.

Curiosity (n.)

Leadership (v.?) – To create the conditions in which other people can flourish. To cultivate agency rather than authority. To prepare for the conditions of change.

Museums (n.)

Methods

Explorations

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