You’re probably here because you read about our Leadership Muscles and wanted more of an explanation for why I said that you can’t make it in business without a high sense of agency.
If you haven’t read Leadership Muscles, this will still make sense for you, but you should check that article out after you read this. It will definitely bring the entire topic full circle.
Briefly – we have what we call the 6 Leadership Muscles framework that we use to guide gym owners in their leadership growth.
While all of the “leadership muscles” are important, there is one that is absolutely critical for success: high agency.
In my opinion – having a high sense of agency is so integral that without it, the likelihood of successfully growing a fitness business is essentially 0%.
I do not have a background in psychology. This opinion is based on my own learning and a wealth of experience from working with thousands of individuals.
I don’t think you can make it with a low sense of agency. I hate saying ‘never’ about anything, so I’d really like to say there’s at least probably some kind of way…. But… I just don’t see it.
So… 0%. Final answer. 🙂
And here’s why…
The uncertainty in business is constant, and there’s one obstacle after another.
If a person doesn’t have high enough agency to take responsibility for turning the obstacles into opportunities, and the grit to weather the obstacles when they just keep coming – I don’t see how they can be successful.
I simply don’t see any path of business ownership that doesn’t require that.
Someone will probably prove me wrong at some point. But I haven’t seen it so far.
In the meantime, rather than dwell on having low agency, let’s put the emphasis on what high agency is and how to strengthen yours.
What is High Agency For a Fitness Business Owner?
High Agency, or you might hear it called a ‘high sense of agency’, is the belief that one has the ability to take control of situations and shape their life.
It is the conviction that through your actions, decisions, and perseverance, you can exert influence over your environment and solve the challenges you are faced with.
Your sense of agency is built around these three elements: relentlessness, resourcefulness, and resilience.
High agency = higher degrees of the three R’s.
Low agency = lesser degrees of the three R’s.
You’ve probably seen the Will Smith ‘die on a treadmill’ interview, right? A lot of what he describes is high agency.
Before I knew what it was called, I would describe someone with high agency characteristics as ‘having alligator blood’, lol. They just won’t stop, won’t go away, or give in. They just keep on until they win.
Why is High Agency so Critical For Business Owners?
It really comes back to the amount of uncertainty that you have to face when you go into business.
Constant changes. Unrelenting challenges. Unforeseen obstacles.
And you can’t hide from them. They have to be addressed.
Below are a couple of images that I think illustrate the difference perfectly.
Low agency on the left. High agency on the right.
Make sense?
So, back to why I believe you can’t make it in business without high agency: Without a high sense of agency, an individual probably isn’t going to have the relentlessness, resourcefulness, and resilience to turn the obstacles into opportunities.
If someone doesn’t believe they are able to effect change, it’s paralyzing and can lead to a pretty unhealthy mindset. It leads to a lack of action, an unwillingness to take calculated risks, and eventually stagnation.
It can bring someone’s inner victim to the surface, with all of their excuses and complaints.
On the other hand, someone with high agency takes responsibility for their actions, and believes in their ability to solve problems and make progress. They see challenges as opportunities for learning and growth rather than roadblocks.
What Does High Agency Look Like in Business?
Imagine facing a crisis in your gym business, perhaps a sudden loss of a major client. A leader with a high sense of agency would immediately go into problem-solving mode. They would gather their team, brainstorm solutions, and take decisive action to mitigate the impact of the loss. They might even see this setback as a chance to diversify the client base or improve their product or service. (This is a great example of each of The Core Four principles in action.)
Contrast this with a leader who lacks agency. They might become overwhelmed, indecisive, and fail to take the necessary actions to navigate through the crisis.
(Ahem… see images A & B above if needed.)
Just think about the pandemic and what you saw from ‘leadership’ in businesses, both in and outside of fitness. That was a high stakes crisis for everyone. And there were a lot of good examples to be seen of high agency (and all 6 of the Leadership Muscles at work). People taking initiative and making something happen, rather than sitting on their hands.
There were also a lot of examples of low agency to be seen, and businesses, staff members, and customers all lost out even more because of it.
With high agency, leadership is going to make something happen. With low agency, they’re basically lying on the tracks waiting for the train to come along and wipe them out.
How Can I Develop My Sense of Agency?
Just like other muscles, your sense of agency can be developed and strengthened.
And it’s important that you do that.
Here are a few ways to develop high agency:
- Setting Small Goals: Regularly setting and achieving small goals will build your confidence in your ability to effect change.
- Seeking Support: Surround yourself with mentors and peers who can provide guidance and encourage your sense of agency.
- Reframing Challenges: Change your perspective on challenges. See them as opportunities to learn and grow.
- Taking Responsibility: Own your actions and decisions, and be proactive in solving problems.
You see? No magic involved. And it doesn’t require that you be born with a special gift or talent.
Everyone has agency. Everyone can work to strengthen it.
To again clarify, it’s essential to develop and maintain a balanced suite of leadership skills and attributes – that’s why we work on all 6 of the Leadership Muscles.
High agency stands out to me as the muscle that underpins them all. Without it, navigating the seas of business is an insurmountable task.
With it, you are equipped with the belief and fortitude to get started and weather the continuous storms. That gives you a chance to put the other Leadership Muscles to work charting your course, solving challenges, and navigating onward.
Do you want to develop your resilience and ability to turn obstacles into opportunities? Talk to a Coach about how we develop successful fitness business leaders with thriving businesses.
