The popular concept of being a 'high agency' person is a rebranding of the 'radical responsibility' teachings from programs like Landmark and Tony Robbins. It's coded language for a belief system where individuals are powerful actors who shape their environment, rather than victims of it.

Many perceived rules governing society and business are merely suggestions or conventions, not hard laws. Recognizing this malleability is a key entrepreneurial trait. The consequences for bending these norms are often minimal or even positive, allowing for non-obvious paths to success.

In an age where AI can execute tasks, the most valuable human trait will be agency—the will to dream up new ideas and act upon them. Instilling this sense of agency is crucial for the next generation to leverage AI as a tool rather than be displaced by it.

True agency is demonstrated by employees who operate beyond their job description to effect change. They don't wait for permission. Examples include a designer becoming the top recruiter or a PM learning to code prototypes to better communicate their vision.

The common view of freedom is the absence of obligations. A more powerful definition, inspired by Toni Morrison, is the ability to choose your responsibilities. These freely chosen commitments don't feel like constraints; instead, they become an animating force that gives life meaning and direction.

In a world where AI handles routine tasks, the most valuable human contribution is the initiative to solve problems independently. ElevenLabs prioritizes hiring for "agency," seeing it as the ultimate amplifier for an individual's impact, regardless of their seniority. High-agency people are the winners of the AI era.

The person you'd call to break you out of prison (assuming they have no wealth or contacts) embodies high agency. This quality isn't just IQ or work ethic, but a rare combination of extreme resourcefulness, absurd self-belief, and a high locus of control.

There are three mindsets: Victim ("life happens to me"), Agency ("I happen to life"), and Resonance ("life happens through me"). While achieving agency is crucial for control, the highest level of performance involves releasing that tight grip and allowing life to flow through you.

Modern culture defines freedom as autonomy and keeping options open. A more powerful form is the "freedom to do hard things," which is only achieved through commitment. By closing off options—like committing to a person or a craft—we gain the capacity and skill to achieve meaningful goals.