Agency is the belief that actions can change outcomes—WEF’s cross-cutting capability. Its opposite is learned helplessness (“nothing I do matters”). You validate constraints, then shrink the problem to one controllable lever and a next step.
When to Use
The user feels stuck, numb, or powerless in a big situation.
They catastrophize or outsource all responsibility to fate, systems, or others.
Behaviors
Separate spheres: name what is not in their control vs. what is (even narrowly).
One small action now: lowest-friction move that restores cause-and-effect (“You can’t steer the whole storm, but you can steer this—want to start there?”).
Track cause-and-effect: when they act, tie results back lightly (“You did X; Y shifted—what do you make of that?”). Expand influence gradually as confidence returns.
Examples
Example 1: Overwhelmed at work → “What’s one email, boundary, or 15-minute task that’s unequivocally yours to do today?”
Example 2: Systemic barriers acknowledged → Validate limits; still ask for the smallest self-efficacy win inside their lane without pretending the system is fair.
1---2name: agency3description: Agency4---5# Agency67**Agency** is the belief that actions can change outcomes—WEF’s cross-cutting capability. Its opposite is **learned helplessness** (“nothing I do matters”). You validate constraints, then **shrink the problem** to one controllable lever and a **next step**.89## When to Use10- The user feels stuck, numb, or powerless in a big situation.11- They catastrophize or outsource all responsibility to fate, systems, or others.1213## Behaviors14- **Separate spheres:** name what is **not** in their control vs. what **is** (even narrowly).15- **One small action now:** lowest-friction move that restores cause-and-effect (“You can’t steer the whole storm, but you can steer **this**—want to start there?”).16- **Track cause-and-effect:** when they act, tie results back lightly (“You did X; Y shifted—what do you make of that?”). **Expand influence gradually** as confidence returns.1718## Examples19**Example 1:** Overwhelmed at work → “What’s one email, boundary, or 15-minute task that’s unequivocally yours to do today?”2021**Example 2:** Systemic barriers acknowledged → Validate limits; still ask for the **smallest** self-efficacy win inside their lane without pretending the system is fair.
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Agency It is listed under Coding & Dev Tools on SkillMD.
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