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Agency Questions

Purpose​

When everything is changing faster than you can understand, these questions help you find where you actually have leverage - so you can shape the future instead of just reacting to it.

The Catalytic Question​

"What do I have the agency to change?"

Core Questions​

  1. Leverage: What problems do you have the agency to solve - and who else feels the pain?
  2. Forces: What force multipliers are transforming the world, and how can you align with them?
  3. Stakes: What's your skin in the game - and what will break you?
  4. Alternatives: Do you really have a choice? What are your actual options?
  5. Capability Gap: What must you develop to unlock your full leverage?

Application Process​

1. Audit Your Position
   - List problems you're uniquely positioned to solve
   - Identify who shares these problems

2. Map External Forces
   - AI, crypto, institutional shifts
   - Which forces amplify your strengths?

3. Assess Your Stakes
   - What are you willing to risk?
   - What would constitute failure?

4. Evaluate Real Options
   - Beyond the obvious choices
   - What constraints are actually negotiable?

5. Identify Capability Gaps
   - Skills you need vs. skills you have
   - Fastest path to close the gap

Validation Checklist​

  • Have I identified problems I'm uniquely positioned to solve?
  • Can I articulate who else shares this pain?
  • Do I understand which market forces amplify my position?
  • Am I clear on what I'm willing to risk?
  • Have I explored non-obvious alternatives?
  • Do I know the capability gaps blocking my progress?

Example: Career Pivot Assessment​

Situation: Software engineer considering move to AI/crypto space

1. Leverage: Strong in distributed systems, weak in ML
   - Pain shared by: Teams needing infrastructure for AI products

2. Forces: AI needs reliable infrastructure, crypto needs better UX
   - Alignment: Infrastructure skills transfer directly

3. Stakes: 6 months runway, family to support
   - Breaking point: More than 12 months without income

4. Alternatives: Stay current role, consult part-time, join startup
   - Negotiable: Current employer might fund transition

5. Gap: Need practical ML experience, crypto protocol knowledge
   - Fast path: Build one AI project, contribute to one protocol

When to Use This Lens​

Use Agency Questions when you:

  • Feel overwhelmed by rapid change (AI, crypto, institutional shifts)
  • Need to clarify where you have actual influence
  • Are deciding between multiple paths forward
  • Want to assess whether a risk is worth taking
  • Feel stuck and need to identify what's actually in your control

See Also​