Companies are increasingly prioritising 'agency', a personal competence that combines initiative, self-efficacy, and the ability to act without waiting for instructions. Experts point to it as key in the face of automation.
The Spanish labour market is undergoing a silent transformation. While artificial intelligence automates routine tasks, human resources departments have begun to focus on a psychological quality that until recently was unknown to the general public: agency. It is not an innate gift or a genetic predisposition, but rather the ability to take initiative, set goals, and act without relying on constant instructions.
What agency is and why it is so valued
The term comes from psychology and was coined by Canadian Albert Bandura to describe people's ability to consciously influence their own behaviour and environment. At the heart of this theory is self-efficacy, the belief that one's actions can produce results. However, agency goes beyond that.
Organisational psychologist Stefanie Puckett explains that agency is not an isolated trait, but a combination of several elements: self-efficacy, proactivity, initiative, self-regulation, goal orientation, and taking responsibility. In statements to the German press, Puckett emphasises that it is not enough to believe one can do something; one must also take the step and do it.
For labour market expert Svenja Hofert, the difference between self-confidence and action is key. Agency consists of transforming intentions into real actions. People with a high level of agency do not wait for instructions, set their own goals, take responsibility, and seek solutions before being asked.
How artificial intelligence drives the demand for agency
The emergence of artificial intelligence in the workplace is accelerating this shift in priorities. By automating repetitive and routine tasks, AI forces workers to continuously adapt and make decisions on their own. Companies need profiles that not only execute orders but are also capable of identifying problems and proposing solutions without constant supervision.
According to Hofert, this attitude resembles an entrepreneurial mindset, regardless of whether the person works for themselves or for others. In a context where technology is advancing rapidly, agency becomes a differentiating factor for candidates.
For readers interested in improving their employability, developing this competence involves practising decision-making, taking small risks in daily work, and reflecting on personal goals. It is not about a personality change, but rather a conscious training of the ability to act.
Signs that you have a high level of agency
People with a high level of agency often share several characteristics: they do not constantly wait for instructions, set their own goals, act before someone asks them to, take responsibility, face uncertainty more easily, and seek solutions instead of waiting for orders. If you recognise yourself in these patterns, you are likely already on recruiters' radars.
For those looking to develop this skill, experts recommend starting with small gestures: suggesting improvements at work, anticipating potential problems, and not waiting for a boss to dictate every step. In an increasingly volatile labour market, agency could be the passport to future employability.
The next time you update your CV, it might be worth including that ability to act on your own initiative among your soft skills. Although it sounds like a laboratory term, agency could be the key that opens doors that artificial intelligence has not yet closed.
You may also like
