I've been wrapping my mind around a term that has recently become hot talk in the San Francisco startup builder bubble: "high-agency" people. This phrase describes the characteristics and mindset required to create things and build companies.
To delve deeper into what high agency truly means—and to know what to look for when recruiting for my projects—I asked ChatGPT for some insights. Here’s my rephrasing of those answers:
- They don't wait for permission, external motivation, or clear instructions to start taking meaningful action.
- They possess an internal locus of control, believing that outcomes are shaped primarily by their own efforts rather than external circumstances.
- They act quickly, decisively, and independently, even amid uncertainty and ambiguity.
- They have an inclination to proactively shape reality rather than passively accepting it.
- They demonstrate an intrinsic obsession with what they're creating, seeking to understand the ins and outs as deeply as possible with infinite curiosity.
- They get joy from doing things for their own sake, not just for external rewards.
- They care intensely about tangible results and outcomes, rather than merely staying busy without clear purpose.
High-agency people are extremely rare, but you know one when you see them. I still wonder whether high agency is a nature-given trait or a potential that can be unlocked in most people. Regardless, high-agency individuals are the ones who shape the world, achieve asymmetric success, and find deep fulfillment in their lives.